Pasta for dinner sounds a little boring and bland. So, this Spicy Thai Peanut Spaghetti is certain to change your mind. Let’s go!
Thai food and spaghetti are not often associated with one another. Let me rephrase, they are never associated with one another. But, sometimes cooking is about using what you have in the pantry.
So, when the craving for Pad Thai hit and I wanted something quick and easy that didn’t involve a trip to the grocery store for twenty ingredients or calling takeout, I improvised. And, let me tell you, it’s amazing what you can do with a few simple ingredients.
The base for this creamy sauce is peanut butter – add a little soy sauce, lime, and maple syrup, and you’ve got yourself a very bright and electric dish.
The result? A very simple, delicious, and healthy noodle bowl that will take you less than ten minutes to prepare using some very simple ingredients. It’ll make you look very culinary and creative – like you know what you’re doing.
It’s probably an insult to refer to this as a “Thai” dish, but I think it comes pretty close. And, I could care less what anyone else thinks.
Reasons I think you’ll really like this recipe…
- creamy
- sweet
- spicy
- tangy
- savory
- healthy
- filling
- requires very little time and effort
You don’t have to be an amazing cook or have fancy ingredients to create something tasty and extremely satisfying. Keep this recipe in your back pocket when you need something delicious, quick, out of the ordinary, and impressive.
Be sure and let me know if you try this recipe! Leave a comment; then take a picture; post it on Instagram and tag the photo #shaneandsimple so I can see your dish. Peace and feast!
Spicy Thai Peanut Spaghetti
A Thai noodle bowl that’s healthy, delicious, and takes only 10 minutes from start to finish. It’s super satisfying and much easier than going out.
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 Servings 1x
Ingredients
- 1 box whole grain spaghetti
- ⅓ cup peanut butter
- Juice of 1 lime
- ¼ cup soy sauce or tamari
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 tbsp minced garlic or 1 clove of garlic
Suggested Toppings
- crushed red pepper
- chopped green onion
- bean sprouts
- cilantro
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions (usually 7 or 8 minutes).
- While pasta cooks add peanut butter, lime juice, soy sauce, maple syrup, and garlic to blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
- Combine cooked noodles and peanut sauce in large bowl and toss until completely covered.
- Place desired amount into a bowl and top with crushed red pepper, chopped green onion, bean sprouts, and cilantro.
Notes
If you don’t like spicy food simply leave off the crushed red pepper.
- Prep Time: 10 mins.
- Cook Time: 10 mins.
- Category: Entree
- Cuisine: Asian Inspired
- Diet: Vegan
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 298
- Sugar: 8.4 g
- Sodium: 259.9 mg
- Fat: 7.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 52.4 g
- Fiber: 5.9 g
- Protein: 11 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: spaghetti, thai, noodles, vegan, plant-based
Hi Shane, great recipe. Can I substitute PB2 for regular peanut butter?
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Hi, Hayley! I’ve never tried but see no reason why it would not work. Go for it:)
Tried this recipe for the first time tonight! Excellent, as is all your recipes, Shane! I didn’t have quite enough soy sauce, so added liquid aminos, which worked just fine. I also threw in some broccoli with the spaghetti for some added veggies and then topped the dish with sliced green onions and a little sriracha. Yum! I think we are adding this to our weekly meal plan! Oh, also love how quick this dish comes together😊
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Excellent!! I have lived in Asia and eaten many spicy peanut noodle dishes, you have made this one easy, healthy, and scrumptious. My whole family loved it! Thank you.
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What do you think about swapping the peanut butter with almond butter, would that work? Or would it be bad culinary juju? :-0
I think it’d be great:)
This looks delicious! Just wondering if it would be good cold? I’d like to make it to take to our son and it’s a 7 hour car ride! Thanks in advance!
It’s great out of the fridge:)
This is so delicious, easy to prepare and comfort food at it’s best. I added broccoli and will definitely make again. Thank you.
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hi Shane. This is SO delicious, easy to prepare and comfort food at it’s best! I added chopped broccoli. The sauce is perfect and we used it for salad dressing the following day. I will definitely make this again.
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Can this be done in a instant pot
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You could probably cook the noodles, but I wouldn’t do it with the peanut sauce. It could stick. That’s not to say it can’t be done. But, I haven’t tried and would hate to give you bad advice:)
Love this, it’s a keeper.
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Yum – my husband and I devoured the whole thing! (He even licked the bowl 🤣) just sad there will be no leftovers – but a definite keeper, again! We love your recipes!!!
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Thank you so much, Donna! We never have leftovers, either:(
OMGosh! I do not know how you do it but your recipes are fabulous! This one is so delicious and versatile! The first time I made it I followed the recipe exactly = perfect! Subsequent times I have added a variety of vegetables, chopped peanuts, grated fresh ginger, a few drops of sesame oil…all so good! Of course I always serve it with additional lime wedges.
I have tried so many Thai peanut recipes that are at least a bit more healthy than restaurant-style and none of them had it quite right. They are too thick/thin, too sweet/tart, too spicy/bland. You knocked it out of the park, again! Perfectly! Easy, few ingredients, and a great recipe as is or “fancied up”. If you’re feeling lazy or rushed its not even necessary to blend it. Just wisk in a pan and pour it on.
Thank you for sharing. I have yet to have a failed recipe from you!
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Thank you so much, Ellen!
This was absolutely delicious!! I wanted some more veggies and crunch so I sauteed onions, yellow peppers, bok choy and peanuts and then added it to the final product. It was so good! I also used protein pasta as that’s what I always use for pasta dishes. I will definitely be making this again!! 😋
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My husband’s overall favorite dish is Pad Thai, so I planned on making this for his birthday weekend dinner- this wknd. Wow, it was a HIT! My one complaint is that the sauce is SO INCREDIBLY GOOD that we used the majority of it for only half the amount of noodles, LOL! (I used the Walmart Great Value organic no-sugar peanut butter, otherwise I was afraid it would have been too sweet for us.) There was a little bit of the sauce left that wouldn’t be enough for the other half of the noodles, so this morning I spread some of the thai sauce on toasted Dave’s Killer Bread with a little bit of plant-based “butter”, slices of avocado, drizzled more sauce on top and topped with the leftover cilantro and green onion… (drooling) I took pictures and will try to remember to post it and tag your site.
My hubby is having a great birthday wknd – first your Fluffy pancakes yesterday – our favorite pancake recipe now, and now this AMAZING dish! Thank you to you and your wife for doing the trials on this, I’ll say it was worth it!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!
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OMGoodness….this is just the BEST!! Easy, quick & I’ve eaten it hot & cold & it’s great either way. I added soy sauce before eating & served with a salad. You did it again, Shane!!! Thank you!!!
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Thank you so much, Teresa! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Blessings.
I was a little hesitant to try making this dish and my husband was a little hesitant to taste it, but it was very good. Rounded it out with a salad. Thank you.
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Thank you so much, Laura!
Hi there!
Is it possible to replace the lime with lemon juice?!
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Yes, absolutely!
This was absolutely delicious! I wanted more veggies so I sauteed onions, yellow peppers, bok choy and some peanuts and then added it to the finished product. So good! I used protein pasta and that’s my pasta of choice. I will definitely make it again.
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Hi! Does this reheat well? I am thinking about putting it in my meal prep rotation. Thanks!
Yes, it does. But, I usually make a little extra peanut sauce as it will tend to dry out during reheating like most dishes. But, still very tasty:)
Hi Shane what is the substitute for Maple syrup?
Agave is good. And, if you are not vegan, honey is a good option, but it might be a little strong concerning the flavor. Organic cane sugar could work as well.
How many ounces in your box of spaghetti? Thanks.
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Standard box…usually 16 oz.
Made this last night and it was a hit. Super quick to bring together! Delicious. Def making this again and again. Thanks so much!
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That’s awesome, Trish! Thanks so much for reaching out.
Super easy and delicious! My teenage son especially loved it. I’ll be honest that I didn’t think there would be enough sauce to cover the pasta, but it certainly did the trick!
Michele, so good to hear! Thanks for letting me know and so glad you enjoyed it. It’s one of our favorites:) Blessings.
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I call it redneck pad-thai. LOL!
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