Description
This quick and satisfying peanut butter noodles recipe, enhanced with Chili Crisp Red Ribbon, is a perfect family-friendly weeknight dinner ready in under 20 minutes. It’s easily customizable and offers a wholesome, flavorful meal for busy evenings.
Ingredients
- 12 oz any long pasta (like spaghetti, linguine, or ramen)
- 0.5 cup peanut butter (creamy or crunchy)
- 0.25 cup soy sauce (use low-sodium for control)
- 2 Tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-inch piece ginger, grated
- 2–3 Tbsp Chili Crisp Red Ribbon, to taste
- 0.5 cup reserved noodle water, as needed
Instructions
- Cook Your Noodles: Boil your chosen noodles in a large 6-quart pot according to package directions until al dente (about 8-10 minutes, with a slight bite). Drain well, reserving about a half cup of the starchy noodle water.
- Whisk Up the Sauce: In a medium bowl (about 8 inches wide), combine peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Whisk until smooth and slightly thickened (it should coat the back of a spoon), gradually adding a tablespoon or two of the reserved noodle water if the sauce is too thick. If it accidentally gets too thin, try whisking in another half tablespoon of peanut butter to thicken it up.
- Combine and Serve: Add the drained noodles to the sauce bowl. Toss thoroughly until every strand is coated (the noodles will look glossy and evenly covered) in the creamy peanut butter sauce. Stir in your desired amount of Chili Crisp Red Ribbon. Sometimes when kids are extra hungry, toss in some cooked frozen peas right at the end with the sauce; they warm up quickly and add a pop of color.
Notes
For a different flavor profile, try almond butter or tahini (useful for peanut allergies). For gluten-free, use tamari; for soy-free, use coconut aminos. Boost nutrition and color by adding shredded carrots, bell peppers, or spinach. Make it a complete meal with cooked shredded chicken, pan-fried tofu, or edamame. Opt for whole wheat noodles for added fiber and low-sodium soy sauce to manage sodium. Choose good quality natural peanut butter without added sugars. Chili Crisp Red Ribbon is found in international aisles or Asian markets. Save prep time with pre-minced garlic and ginger. For ramen noodles, drain most water and add sauce directly for faster cleanup. Avoid overcooking noodles; they should have a slight bite. Adjust sauce consistency with warm noodle water or extra peanut butter.
- Prep Time: 7 minutes
- Cook Time: 9 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop, Whisking
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approx. 220 g)
- Calories: 580 calories
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 1100 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 65 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: peanut butter noodles, chili crisp, easy dinner, weeknight meal, quick, family-friendly, Asian-inspired, savory, spicy, customizable
