Creamy Peanut Noodles are made with spaghetti tossed in a creamy peanut sauce, crisp carrots, and fresh scallions for the perfect balance of savory, sweet and nutty flavors.

From the recipe collection of Tara Ippolito

Im always looking for recipes that are easy to throw together, travel well, and taste even better after they’ve had a little time to sit. That’s exactly why I love these Creamy Peanut Noodles. One of my girlfriends shared this recipe with me years ago and it was an instant hit! They’re refreshing, satisfying, and a nice change from the usual pasta salad.
This is the kind of recipe that’s perfect for barbecues, beach days, potlucks, picnics, and all those summer gatherings where you need something that can be made ahead of time. The creamy peanut sauce coats every strand of pasta, while the carrots and scallions add freshness and crunch. Best of all, it comes together with simple pantry ingredients.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfect for summer gatherings. These noodles can be made ahead of time, travel well, and are always a hit at barbecues, potlucks, beach days, and backyard parties.
Simple ingredients, big flavor. A handful of pantry staples come together to create a creamy, savory, slightly sweet peanut sauce that’s hard to resist.
Great served cold. Unlike many pasta dishes, these noodles are meant to be enjoyed chilled, making them ideal for warm weather entertaining.
Easy to customize. Add your favorite protein, swap the noodles, or turn up the heat with a little sriracha to make this recipe your own.

Ingredients

Here is everything you’ll need to make these delicious peanut noodles. You can find the full recipe along with instructions and measurements on the recipe card below.

Spaghetti: Creates the perfect base for soaking up the creamy peanut sauce.
Peanut Butter: Adds richness, creaminess, and that signature nutty flavor.
Soy Sauce: Provides salty, savory depth.
Sesame Oil: Gives the noodles a classic Asian-inspired flavor.
Olive Oil: Helps smooth out the sauce and coat the noodles evenly.
Fresh Garlic: Adds bold flavor and freshness.
Sugar: Balances the salty and savory ingredients.
Shredded Carrots: Bring sweetness, color, and crunch.
Scallions: Add freshness and a mild onion flavor.
Black Pepper: Adds a subtle kick and balances the sweetness.
Garlic Powder: Reinforces the garlic flavor throughout the dish.

Serve It Different Ways

Cold: Perfect for summer barbecues, picnics, beach days, and potlucks.
Room Temperature: Great for parties and buffets.
Warm: Toss freshly cooked noodles with the sauce and serve immediately for a comforting dinner.

How To Make It

Here’s how to make this amazing pasta. You can find the full ingredients list along with instructions on the recipe card below.

1. First, in a large bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, soy sauce, sesame oil, olive oil, garlic, sugar, black pepper, and garlic powder until smooth. Add the cooled spaghetti, shredded carrots, and scallions to the bowl.

sauce for peanut noodles tossed in spaghetti and shredded carrots

2. Toss everything together until the noodles are evenly coated with the peanut sauce. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to develop. Garnish with additional scallions before serving, optional.

Pro Tips

don’t like the variationIf the sauce feels too thick, add a tablespoon or two of warm water until it reaches your desired consistency.
Rinse the noodles thoroughly after cooking to prevent sticking.
Let the noodles chill before serving for the best flavor.
Toss again right before serving since the sauce thickens as it sits.
Use natural peanut butter only if it’s well stirred and smooth.

Variations

Try a different noodle: While spaghetti works great, you can also make this recipe with lo mein noodles, rice noodles, linguine, soba noodles, or even ramen noodles with the seasoning packet discarded.
Add a protein: Turn these peanut noodles into a complete meal by adding grilled chicken, shrimp, steak, tofu, or edamame.
Make it spicy: Add a drizzle of sriracha, a spoonful of chili garlic sauce, or a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes for a little heat.
Serve it your way: These noodles are delicious served cold, at room temperature, or warm. For summer barbecues and beach days, I prefer serving them chilled.

What Should I Serve This With?

These noodles pair beautifully with grilled chicken, teriyaki shrimp, burgers, grilled vegetables, or skewers fresh off the barbecue. They also make an excellent side dish for summer cookouts, beach picnics, and backyard parties.

Storage & Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. These noodles are actually even better the next day after the flavors have had time to develop. If the sauce thickens too much in the refrigerator, stir in a splash of water before serving. These are generally best served cold or at room temperature, but can be gently warmed if desired.