Spicy Sesame Noodles
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Spice up your noodle game with my Spicy Sesame Noodles! This easy, 30-minute meal is a flavorful and satisfying dish with the perfect blend of rich, nutty, and spicy flavors.
It all starts with the perfectly cooked noodles. As a mom of 2, I always have regular ol’ spaghetti in the pantry, usually for spaghetti and meatball night, so that’s why this recipe features spaghetti. 🤣 But the beauty of this recipe is that it works well with ramen noodles, Chinese egg noodles, soba noodles, or even linguine!
Letting chili flakes pop in the oil brings the heat to this recipe and makes it extra special. This simple step enhances the flavor by infusing the oil with the spiciness of the chili flakes. The chili flakes pop and sizzle in the oil, releasing their flavors. This process should take about 1-2 minutes. Be careful not to let the oil get too hot, as sesame oil has a low smoke point and can burn easily.
Ingredient notes
(For the full recipe, scroll down to the recipe card below)
- Spaghetti: You aren’t limited to only spaghetti. Ramen noodles, rice noodles, soba or udon noodles, or even linguine are all great options.
- Chili flakes: feel free to use less depending on how much spice you prefer.
- Sesame oil: toasted sesame oil provides a deeper, nuttier flavor, which is more intense and aromatic. Regular sesame oil is milder but still adds a nice sesame essence. Really, either works well.
- Soy sauce: Use regular soy sauce for a standard savory flavor. Tamari, coconut aminos or liquid aminos are all good gluten-free alternatives.
- Honey: helps balance the spice and umami.
- Rice vinegar: Adds a tangy brightness to the noodles.
- Add-ins: cilantro, green onions sesame seeds and chopped peanuts.
Step by Step Directions
(For the full recipe, scroll down to the recipe card below)
Cook noodles of choice
Feel free to use spaghetti, udon noodles, rice noodles, ramen noodles, etc.
Let those chili flakes POP!
This simple step enhances the flavor by infusing the oil with the spiciness of the chili flakes.
Sauce-y noodles
Finish adding the ingredients into the sauce, thicken with cornstarch (optional) and toss into the noodles.
Last step!
Add the vibrant mix-ins, toss & serve!
Tips and Variations
- Include Vegetables: Add a variety of vegetables for texture and nutrition. Thinly sliced carrots, bell peppers, cucumbers, and snap peas work well.
- Protein Options: For a more filling dish, add cooked chicken, shrimp, tofu, or edamame. These proteins pair well with the flavors of the sauce.
- Balance Flavors: Taste the sauce before mixing it with the noodles. Adjust the sweetness, saltiness, and acidity to your preference. You can add more soy sauce for saltiness, honey or sugar for sweetness, and rice vinegar for acidity.
- Cook Properly: Follow package instructions for your chosen noodles, cooking them until they are al dente. Overcooking can make them mushy, especially when mixed with the sauce.
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Spicy Sesame Noodles
Ingredients
- 1 pound spaghetti (or egg noodles, ramen noodles, etc. )
- 1/2 cup sesame oil
- 1/3 cup avocado oil or canola oil
- 2 tsp. red pepper chili flakes
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/3 heaping cup honey
- 2 Tbsp. chili garlic sauce (or your favorite chili crunch)
- 2 tsp. rice vinegar
- 1 Tbsp. cornstarch + 1 Tbsp. water (optional )
- 3/4 cup unsalted roasted peanuts, chopped
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1/2 cup green onions, chopped
- 2 Tbsp. toasted sesame seeds
Last step! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Instructions
- Cook spaghetti, or noodle of choice. Drain and set aside in a large bowl.1 pound spaghetti
- Add sesame oil, avocado oil, and red pepper chili flakes to a saucepan over medium heat. Cook for just a few minutes or until the chili flakes begin to pop. The longer the chili flakes pop, the spicer the noodles will be.1/2 cup sesame oil, 1/3 cup avocado oil or canola oil, 2 tsp. red pepper chili flakes
- Turn the heat down to low and add the soy sauce, honey, chili garlic sauce, and rice vinegar. Stir and bring the sauce to a simmer.1/2 cup soy sauce, 1/3 heaping cup honey, 2 Tbsp. chili garlic sauce, 2 tsp. rice vinegar
- Optional to thicken the sauce add in cornstarch slurry: Start with 1 Tbsp. cornstarch mixed with 1 Tbsp. water and whisk into sauce. You will notice the consistency change. If you want it thicker, add more cornstarch slurry. I don't like my sauce very thick (but that's up to you!)1 Tbsp. cornstarch + 1 Tbsp. water
- Combine the cooked noodles with the sauce.
- Add in the peanuts, cilantro, green onions, and sesame seeds. Toss to combine. Garnish with more sesame seeds and green onions. Taste and adjust any seasonings to taste. Enjoy warm or chilled!3/4 cup unsalted roasted peanuts, chopped, 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped, 1/2 cup green onions, chopped, 2 Tbsp. toasted sesame seeds
Video
Notes
- Feel free to add fresh ginger or garlic to the sauce if you’d like.
- Storage: these noodles are delicious, warm, or cold and will keep well in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Be sure to give it a good stir to redistribute any sauce that may have settled to the bottom.
Nutrition Information
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is automatically calculated. It should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Kroll’s Korner can’t make any guarantees to the accuracy of this information.
My new favorite go-to recipe!!! These noodles are heavenly, my family LOVES them and we fight over the left overs🤣 We’ve made them several times now and I must admit they are equally tasty fresh & hot or the next day chilled for lunch. Thanks for an “easy & quick” recipe of items that are typically in my pantry, it’s appreciated!
so glad you like this one:) thank you!!
Made this with udon noodles and added some Asian flavored chicken meatballs for the carnivores. So, so good! I get my red pepper flakes directly from an Asian restaurant, so they are very fresh _ and fiery!
ooooo love me some fiery spice! thank you so much for making 🙂
I made this tonight and we loved it! I made it with rice noodles and added a can of bean sprouts, and chicken. So easy, will be adding to the rotation!
10/10!!! Night one I made the dish with added shredded carrots, night two I added peanut butter and a bunch of frozen veggies in with the noodles and also just as good!
I felt this recipe was really salty maybe I should have halved the soy sauce.
sorry about that! or a low sodium soy sauce.
I made this last night for dinner and it was fabulous! I added stir-fry veggies and cream cheese wontons cooked in the air-fryer for sides and the only thing lacking was the hot tea!
Oh my goodness the addition of wontons sounds incredible – thank you SO much!!
I’m so hungry now! Pinning this for later (or sooner rather than later!)
My husband would LOVE this recipe! I’ll have to put it on the meal plan list 😉
Awesome! Thank you, hope you guys enjoy! 🙂
Mmm I could use this right now- What a unique ‘carb’ to pair kung pao with!
This looks delicious! I love all of the simple ingredients that provide such great flavor!
Thank you so much! It really is delicious 🙂