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Spicy Peanut Noodles are a delicious combination of spaghetti noodles topped with a delicious, velvety peanut sauce, plus fresh zucchini, shredded carrots, and edamame. Top this meatless meal with green onions and crushed peanuts!

Closeup on a bowl of spicy peanut noodles with zucchini and carrots.

Spicy Peanut Butter Noodles

I’m always looking for new flavor profiles to try because dinner should never be boring, right? So even though these spaghetti noodles seem pretty plain, the spicy peanut butter sauce is not.

Looking to spice up dinner at your home? I’ve gotcha covered with choices. Try our Buddha Bowls with Peanut Sauce next!

Why This Recipe Works:

SIMPLE INGREDIENTS – While the list appears to be long, this recipe is not difficult. I recommend making the sauce a day ahead of time to make dinnertime a breeze.
A VELVETY SAUCE – The Thai Peanut Sauce is key for this noodle dish. It’s smooth and full of peanut flavor that you must try. Remember, no more boring dinners!
PLENTY OF VEGGIES – I love adding plenty of fresh veggies to most recipes. You could also add others for variety – like bell peppers, yellow squash, cucumbers, snap peas, etc.
GREAT MEAL PREP – If you’re taking this to work, place the peanut butter noodles and edamame in a microwave-safe dish and the veggies in another one. You may want to heat the noodles slightly but cold peanut noodles are delicious too.

A bowl of peanut noodles with Thai peanut sauce.

Ingredients needed for Spicy Peanut Noodles Recipe:

FOR THE PASTA:

Spaghetti – While I used regular spaghetti noodles for this recipe, you could use another type of noodle – like instant ramen noodles, udon, soba, or rice noodles too.
Zucchini – One medium zucchini was plenty for four servings. Slice it in thin slices or use a spiralizer to make zoodles.
Carrots – I shredded two carrots for this recipe.
Edamame – We love to use frozen, shelled edamame. Add a pinch of kosher salt after cooking it.
Green Onions – For serving.
Peanuts – Chop up a handful of crunchy peanuts and sprinkle them on top before serving. Fresh herbs are always a great finisher as well.

The ingredients for the spicy peanut noodles.

Ingredients Needed for the Sauce:

Peanut Butter – Creamy peanut butter or chunky peanut butter forms the base of the sauce, providing its rich and nutty flavor. I don’t recommend natural peanut butter or almond butter for this recipe because it won’t be as creamy. But any type of peanut butter will make a delicious sauce.
Sesame Oil plus Toasted Sesame Oil – The sesame oil enhances the nutty flavor profile of the sauce.
Soy Sauce – A liquid condiment of Chinese origin, and made from fermented soybeans and wheat. It is also used in many Asian recipes.
Fish Sauce – A sauce made from fermenting seafood in salt.
Vinegar – Use rice vinegar in this dressing, for best results.
Chili Paste or Sauce – Chili sauce adds a bit of heat and spiciness. The level of spiciness can be adjusted according to personal preference.
Sugar – Some sugar is needed to balance the strong flavors in the peanut sauce.
Cold Water – A little water may be needed to thin the sauce.

NOTE: There are plenty of versions of chili paste or sauce out there. Just use your favorite. It’s often called chili garlic sauce, chili oil, Chinese sesame paste, or Sambal Oelek (a brand). Use something that adds the spice level you’re comfortable with.

Labeled peanut sauce ingredients in small bowls.

How to make Spicy Peanut Noodles:

Step 1
Make the peanut sauce. In a mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients – peanut butter, soy sauce, sesame oil, fish sauce, chili sauce, rice vinegar, and sugar. Use a whisk to mix well. Add cold water as needed to thin the peanut sauce.

Alternatively, you could use a food processor to puree the ingredients to create a smoother sauce.

Step 2
Cook noodles. Cook noodles in a large pot of water (with salt) according to package instructions, oruntil al dente. Drain well.

Step 3
Add sauce. Pour about 2/3 of the creamy peanut sauce over the warm, cooked noodles. Use a tongs to combine. Reserve the remainder of the sauce for serving.

A bowl of spaghetti noodles and peanut sauce.

Step 4
Prep veggies. Use a sharp knife to slice the zucchini. Use a potato peeler to shred the carrots. Chop the green onions.

Step 5
Cook edamame. Cook edamame in the microwave according to package directions. Sprinkle with a bit of salt.

Step 6
Serve. Divide the peanut noodles among four serving bowls. Add sliced zucchini, shredded carrots, cooked edamame, and some diced green onions. Add reserved spicy peanut sauce as needed. Options toppings include chili flakes, red pepper flakes, and/or sesame seeds.

Side view of two bowls of spicy peanut noodles with veggies.

What to serve with Spicy Peanut Noodles:

These Thai Peanut Noodles are easily a main dish meal for me, but you could also serve it with some sautéed shrimp or another protein. Crispy tofu could also be added as a plant-based protein.

A SIMPLE SALAD – We love a simple green salad with some homemade dressing. Try our Creamy Italian Dressing, Spinach Salad Dressing, or Light Honey Mustard Dressing.
BREAD – Italian Focaccia Bread Recipe, Pesto Bread, or Cracked Wheat Bread.
DESSERT? Yes, please. Try our Raspberry Ice Cream or White Chocolate Blondies!

Other Delicious Asian Recipes:

Grilled Chicken Asian Skewers – A great meal to grill outdoors, or you can make it inside on a grill pan too.
Crunchy Asian Cabbage Salad – My most popular salad recipe on the blog!
Shrimp Fried Rice – Skip the take-out and make this easy dish at home.
Salmon Buddha Bowls with Asian Sauce – This one uses farro!

A bowl of peanut noodles and veggies with a small bowl of peanuts.

Kitchen Tools Used: (affiliate links)

Peeler – Used to shred the carrots.
Global 7-inch Knife – My favorite kitchen knife.

xoxo ~Sue