Easy 15-Minute Rice Noodles with Peanut Sauce

Try these delicious & nutritious rice noodles with peanut sauce when you want a quick meal that takes just 15 minutes to prepare! Healthy homemade peanut sauce is SO flavorful and so easy to make while rice noodles are cooking on the stovetop. These peanut butter noodles can be enjoyed on their own, or paired with stir fried vegetables and tofu for a well-balanced meal that is on the table fast.

As a Registered Dietitian and recipe developer, it’s probably obvious that I love food and love to cook. But, there are nights when I want an easy and healthy dinner recipe on the table in 15 minutes or less! When that is the case, rice noodles with peanut sauce are a back pocket recipe I go to time and time again.

Homemade peanut butter sauce is the BEST sauce for rice noodles! Made with pantry ingredients, it is super creamy and packs in tons of flavor. In fact, it’s my favorite healthy homemade sauce recipe that I use most frequently at home! (Other top contenders include my lemon tahini sauce, chimichurri sauce, parsley pesto sauce, and green sauce for pasta).

This recipe is vegan and dairy free. You can make this recipe gluten free by using tamari instead of soy sauce in the peanut sauce recipe. Rice noodles with peanut sauce can be enjoyed warm or cold!

Ingredients in rice noodles with peanut sauce

Here are all the ingredients you need to make this recipe:

• Rice noodles: Rice noodles are gluten-free noodles made from rice and water. They are widely used in Eastern and Southeast Asian cuisines. There are several varieties of rice noodles. I used pad thai noodles for this recipe.
• Peanut butter: Choose smooth natural peanut butter for this recipe – the only ingredient should be peanuts, and perhaps salt. The runny texture of natural peanut butter is best for this peanut sauce recipe.
• Soy sauce: I typically use reduced sodium soy sauce for this recipe. For a gluten free version, you can use tamari instead.
• Rice vinegar: Rice vinegar is vinegar made from fermented rice. You can usually find it in large grocery stores, near the soy sauce.
• Toasted sesame oil: Toasted sesame oil is made from sesame seeds that have been toasted before being pressed into oil. It has a more pronounced, nuttier flavor than regular sesame oil, making it perfect for peanut sauce.
• Ginger: Grated fresh ginger adds warmth and flavor to peanut sauce without an overpowering spiciness. Ginger also has a lot of nutrition benefits – read about that below.
• White miso paste (optional): Miso paste helps to thicken the peanut sauce and imparts a savory umami flavor.
• Maple syrup: A touch of maple syrup adds sweetness to balance out all the tangy, acidic ingredients in the peanut sauce.
• Garlic
• Crushed peanuts
• Scallions

Kitchen tools needed

To make this recipe, you need a pot to cook the rice noodles in on the stovetop, a small mixing bowl, and a small whisk or fork. You’ll also need measuring spoons.

How to make rice noodles with peanut sauce

Cook rice noodles according to package instructions. Rinse the noodles under cold water.

While the rice noodles are cooking, prepare the peanut sauce.

Combine the rice noodles and peanut sauce in a mixing bowl.

Serve peanut noodles garnished with crushed peanuts and sliced scallions. You can enjoy these rice noodles warm or cold!

Can you prepare rice noodles with peanut sauce ahead of time?

Yes! Since this dish tastes great either warm or cold, you can prepare it ahead of time. Keep peanut sauce rice noodles in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.

To reheat, put the noodles in a microwave-safe dish and heat in the microwave for about 1 minute, or until warmed through.

Serving suggestions

Rice noodles with peanut sauce are flavorful on their own, however, feel free to add vegetables and a protein source to make this a well-balanced meal and boost the fiber, protein, and micronutrient content.

I love to enjoy rice noodles with stir-fried vegetables and baked tofu. You could also serve these noodles with shrimp, salmon, or roasted vegetables.

You might have leftover peanut sauce. Here are some additional recipes that you can make with peanut sauce:

• Peanut tofu bowls
• Dipping sauce for fresh summer rolls
• Lettuce wraps
• Peanut crunch jasmine rice salad
• Drizzled over steamed broccoli

Peanut butter nutrition benefits

Peanut butter may have a contentious reputation because it is high in calories. However, peanut butter is quite a nutritious food when enjoyed in moderation.

Peanut butter is a good source of plant-based protein, healthy fats, and micronutrients. A two tablespoon serving of peanut butter provides:

• 8 grams of plant-based protein
• 3 grams of dietary fiber (11% of your daily needs)
• Heart-healthy fats: 8 grams of monounsaturated fatty acids and 4 grams of polyunsaturated fatty acids
• Small amounts of potassium, magnesium, niacin, and iron

Ginger nutrition

Ginger has been used throughout history as a remedy in traditional and alternative medicine. Ginger contains a compound called gingerol with powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Gingerol is responsible for most of the medicinal benefits of ginger, including aiding digestion, reducing nausea, and fighting infections. Because of it’s powerful antioxidant properties, ginger may also help prevent certain diseases like Alzheimer’s.

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