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This Sesame Peanut Tossed Noodle is an easy, flavorful dish that works as a quick lunch, meal prep option, or side dish for gatherings. Enjoy them however you like, warm or chilled!
We eat a lot of noodles in this house and this is one of my favorites to make. They’re rich, nutty, slightly spicy, and incredibly versatile. It is great for a warm meal, a room-temperature dish, or even as a refreshing cold noodle salad.
Why you’ll love this recipe
Simple Ingredients: Pantry staples like peanut butter, soy sauce, and sesame oil make up the base of the sauce.
Make-ahead friendly: Prep the sauce in advance and mix with noodles when ready to serve.
Customizable: Adjust spice levels, swap toppings, or add protein like shredded chicken or tofu.
Easy Sesame Peanut Tossed Noodles
Ingredients
For the noodles:
- 450 g dry spaghetti linguine, fettuccine, or noodle/pasta of your choice
- 1 Tbsp roasted sesame oil
Protein of choice: (any of these or your own choice, or skip if serving as a side dish instead)
- 3 cups leftover rotisserie chicken breast shredded
- 3 cups cooked ham cut into long strips
Sesame peanut dressing: (This is just a guideline; you can tweak and adjust to your preferences)
- 180 g creamy or chunky peanut butter
- 4 Tbsp roasted sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp grated fresh ginger
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 Tbsp rice vinegar
- 4 Tbsp light soy sauce or more to taste
- 1 Tbsp sugar or more to taste
- 2 Tbsp water or more as needed to thin the sauce asneeded
- 1 Tbsp chili sauce or more as needed, optional. see notes
Serve with:
- 1 large English cucumber seeded and cut into matchsticks
- 3 stalks green onions green parts -finely chopped
- Handful of fresh cilantro leaves finely chopped
- 71 g roasted salted or unsalted peanuts roughly chopped
- 3 Tbsp toasted white sesame seeds
Instructions
Cook the noodles:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the directions but I recommend cooking it about 1 minute less than the time indicated on the package.
- Drain the pasta in a colander but DO NOT rinse the pasta so the dressing clings better to the pasta. .
- Quickly toss with oil in the colander and spread the noodles into a single layer on a large rimmed baking sheet to cool
Prepare the dressing:
- Combine peanut butter, sesame oil, garlic powder, grated ginger, vinegar, soy sauce, chili sauce,if using, and sugar in a large bowl with a fork to combine. The dressing is a bit thick at this point. Add 1 tbsp of water/broth to the sauce and stir until combined. The consistency should be creamy and loose.
Put everything together:
- In a large mixing bowl, add the noodles, chicken or protein of choice, cucumber, green onion, cilantro, sesame seeds, and the dressing. Use a tong to toss until everything is thoroughly coated in the sauce. Have a taste and adjust the seasoning with more soy sauce, vinegar, or sugar to taste. Top with crushed roasted peanuts just before serving
- The noodles can be served immediately or at room temperature
Leftovers:
- Leftovers can be kept in the fridge, covered, for about 3 days. You can warm it up in the microwave just before serving
- You can read more details on some fun variations, and other tips in my post that may answer your questions not covered in the recipe card
Marv’s Recipe Notes
*Nutrition facts are just estimates and calculated using online tools*
How to prevent overcooked noodles
- Undercook by one minute
Cook your noodles one minute less than the package suggests to keep them slightly firmer. This prevents them from becoming too soft when tossed with the sauce. - Use plenty of water
Boil noodles in a large pot with plenty of water (at least 4-5 quarts per pound of noodles). This helps prevent sticking and ensures even cooking. - No rinsing after draining
Rinsing noodles washes away the surface starch, which is essential for helping the sauce stick. Instead, drain well and immediately toss with sesame oil to prevent clumping. - Cool the noodles properly
Spread the drained noodles on a baking sheet to cool slightly before mixing with the sauce. This step helps maintain the chewy texture and prevents sogginess.
How to make the sauce cling better
- Toss the noodles in oil first
A light coat of roasted sesame oil right after draining prevents noodles from sticking together while cooling. It also helps the sauce adhere better later. - Keep some starch on the noodles
Since you’re not rinsing the noodles, the leftover starch will help the sauce stick more evenly. - Mix the dressing well
Make sure your peanut sauce is well mixed and the consistency should be creamy but loose. You can adjust the consistency by adding more water. Keep in mind that the sauce thickens when it is chilled in the fridge - Toss just before serving
If you’re making this dish in advance, store the sauce separately and mix just before serving to maintain the best texture. Add a splash of water to loosen the sauce if it thickens in the fridge.
These simple techniques mentioned above ensure perfectly chewy noodles with a rich, well-adhered sauce every time.
Variations
Here are some fun variations to customize your Sesame Peanut Tossed Noodles based on your preferences and available ingredients!
1. SWAP THE PROTEIN
Shredded chicken – Use rotisserie chicken or poached chicken for an easy upgrade.
Tofu – Pan-fried, baked, or air-fried tofu cubes add a great plant-based protein.
Shrimp – Sautéed or grilled shrimp pairs well with the creamy peanut sauce.
Edamame – A quick and easy vegetarian protein source.
2. EXTRA VEGGIES
Bell peppers – Thinly sliced red, yellow, or green bell peppers add crunch and sweetness.
Carrots – Julienne or shred them for a pop of color and texture.
Red cabbage – Shredded for a vibrant, crunchy addition.
3. SPICE IT UP
Adjust the spice level based on your heat preference:
Chili crisp – A spoonful of chili crisp gives a flavorful, crispy heat.
Szechuan peppercorns – Add a tingly numbing spice to the sauce.
Extra sriracha or sambal oelek – If you love heat, increase the chili sauce.
4. CHANGE UP THE NOODLES
If you want to switch from spaghetti, try:
Rice noodles – Lighter and more traditional for an Asian-style peanut noodle dish. It’s also naturally gluten-free
Ramen noodles – Chewy and springy, great for a comforting texture.
Udon noodles – Thick and chewy for a heartier version.
Zucchini noodles (zoodles) – A low-carb, veggie-packed alternative.
Shirataki or Miracle noodles: This is great for those who are on a low-carb diet and gluten-free
5. NUTTY VARIATIONS
Peanut butter is the classic choice, but you can swap it for:
Almond butter – A deeper, slightly roasted flavor.
Cashew butter – Creamy and mildly sweet.
Tahini (sesame paste) – For a nuttier, more savory twist. I recommend using roasted sesame tahini for the best flavor