Description
Ina Garten’s sesame noodles blend Asian-inspired flavors with silky pasta and zesty seasonings. Creamy, nutty sauce wraps around tender noodles, creating a simple yet elegant dish that brings restaurant-quality comfort directly to your kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- ½ pound (226 grams) thin spaghetti
- 1 pound (454 grams) sugar snap peas
- 2 red bell peppers, cored, seeded, and thinly sliced
- 4 scallions (white and green parts), sliced diagonally
Sauce Ingredients:
- ½ cup (128 grams) smooth peanut butter
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) rice wine vinegar
- ⅓ cup (80 milliliters) soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) dark sesame oil
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) honey
Seasoning and Garnish Ingredients:
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 3 tablespoons toasted white sesame seeds, divided
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
- Kosher salt to taste
Instructions
- Prepare a large pot with water and salt, bringing it to a rolling boil. Carefully add the spaghetti and cook following the package instructions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside in a spacious mixing bowl.
- Fill another large pot with salted water and bring to a vigorous boil. Gently lower the sugar snap peas into the water, allowing them to cook for 3 to 5 minutes until they reach a crisp-tender texture. Quickly transfer the peas using a slotted spoon into a waiting ice water bath to halt the cooking process and preserve their vibrant color and crunch. Drain completely.
- Craft the dressing by whisking together vegetable oil, rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, minced garlic, grated ginger, of sesame seeds, and creamy peanut butter in a medium mixing bowl until the mixture becomes smooth and well-incorporated.
- Combine the cooked spaghetti, blanched sugar snap peas, julienned red bell peppers, and thinly sliced scallions in the large mixing bowl. Pour the prepared dressing over the ingredients, ensuring an even coating.
- Sprinkle the remaining of sesame seeds and freshly chopped parsley over the dish. Toss the ingredients gently but thoroughly to distribute the dressing and herbs evenly. Serve immediately at room temperature or slightly chilled.
Notes
- Prep Ingredients Early: Gather and chop all vegetables and mix dressing ingredients before starting to cook for a smoother cooking process.
- Save Time Chopping: Use a sharp knife to slice red peppers and scallions into thin, uniform strips that blend perfectly with pasta.
- Quick Boiling Technique: Cook spaghetti just until al dente, checking package instructions to avoid mushy noodles that ruin the dish’s texture.
- Instant Cooling Trick: Immediately transfer blanched sugar snap peas into ice water to lock in their vibrant green color and crisp texture.
- Smooth Dressing Secret: Whisk peanut butter thoroughly to create a creamy, well-integrated sauce that coats every strand of pasta evenly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 600 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 30 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg