15 Minute Garlic Sesame Noodles

Noodles are a girls best friend and these easy garlic sesame noodles are without a doubt my favorite noodle recipe to date! They require just a few ingredients, are gluten free, ready in 15 minutes, and can be eaten hot or cold!

Given the popularity of my sesame chickpea recipe, two things are very clear. One, you guys LOVE sesame flavored things. Those chickpeas, sesame tofu and teriyaki tofu, it’s hard to deny the deliciousness that is sesame.

Second, you guys love easy, 15 minute style meals. I mean, who doesn’t? Especially when they involve noodles.

So, I introduce you to (probably) your new favorite meal when you’re in a pinch: garlic sesame noodles. They’re gluten free, vegan, ready in 15 minutes, can be eaten hot or cold, pair well with salmon, tofu, or just on their own!

Sesame noodle ingredients

The best thing about these sesame noodles is that they require ingredients you most likely already have in your pantry.

If you’re in a pinch for dinner and need something quick, this is the perfect recipe for you!

• Brown rice noodles: You can really use any type of noodle for this recipe. Ramen, soba, udon, regular spaghetti, brown rice spaghetti, whatever you have!

• Soy Sauce/Tamari: I highly suggest using low sodium soy sauce/tamari for this recipe. If you use regular, it will still be delicious, but quite salty!

• Honey: You can use maple syrup or even brown sugar or coconut sugar in place of the honey.

• Tahini: Most sesame noodles are not going to use tahini, but honestly, sesame noodles without the tahini are just not as good in my opinion! It helps make the noodles creamy and thickens the sauce a bit so you aren’t drowning them in pure soy sauce. You can safely sub the tahini for peanut butter for a sesame peanut noodle version!

• Garlic: If you’re a regular around here, you know that garlic is a staple in virtually all of my savory recipe. Plus, they’re garlic sesame noodles after all!

• Sesame oil: For this recipe, the sesame oil is where much of the flavor comes from. Be sure to use toasted sesame oil for the most flavor.

• Rice vinegar: To help round out the flavors of the sauce. I’m not a huge fan of vinegar, so there is no strong vinegar flavor to these noodles. It just acts to balance out the salty from the soy sauce, the sweet from the honey, and the spicy from the sriracha.

• Sriracha: For a little spice! Any hot sauce will do, and feel free to adjust to your spice preferences. As written, the recipe is not super spicy (and this is coming from someone very sensitive to spice).

How to make this sesame noodle recipe

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions. 

While the pasta is cooking, prep the sauce. Start by mincing the garlic very finely or use a garlic press to get it super small since we won’t be blending up this sauce. You don’t want super large chunks!

Add the minced garlic to a pan with the neutral oil. This can be avocado, olive, or refined coconut oil. Avoid using virgin coconut oil since it has a stronger coconut flavor.

Saute until the edges of the garlic look golden brown, about 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, whisk together all of the remaining sauce ingredients in a bowl until there are no visible clumps of ginger and the tahini is spread throughout. 

Pour the sauce into the pan with the garlic and mix well. 

Let simmer for 2-3 minutes or until the sauce thickens slightly. 

When the pasta is done cooking, combine with the sauce. Taste, and feel free to add any additional flavors you choose.

Garnish with scallions, red pepper flakes, crushed peanuts and enjoy!

Serving suggestions and variations

There are SO many ways you can serve this recipe and so many ways to jazz it up. I love it fresh out of the pot with a side of chicken or salmon. Or as a salad with my peanut tofu or teriyaki tofu.

You can toss in some steamed broccoli, serve it alongside my General Tso’s chickpeas, or saute a bunch of veggies and make this a stir fry! You can use different noodles, sprinkle on peanuts, make it spicy, whatever you want!

It’s versatile and since it’s so great cold, it makes for the perfect on the go and work lunch.

Recipe tips & tricks!

• These sesame noodles call for tahini, but you can sub the tahini for peanut butter for a sesame peanut noodle version! SO delicious either way.

• As written, these noodles are not super spicy on their own, you can add more sriracha or red pepper flakes for more spice if desired.

• Once prepared, these garlic sesame noodles will keep for 5 days in an air tight container in the fridge.

• This recipe calls for tahini, which is similar to, but not the same as, sesame paste. Sesame paste has a stronger flavor but it’s not found in all grocery stores, so I opted for a version that everyone will have access to. Sesame paste is made with toasted sesame seeds, whereas tahini is made with raw sesame seeds. If you can find sesame paste near you, you can use that instead!

• Be sure to use 12 ounces of uncooked pasta, not 16. There won’t be quite enough sauce for s 1 pound box of pasta.

• Purchase some of these pantry staples from Thrive Market to save money! I get most of my beans, legumes, sauces, and non-perishable items from there and it saves a ton.

Need more easy recipes? Try these!

• 20 Minute Spaghetti Pomodoro
• Mushroom Broccoli Rigatoni
• General Tso’s Chickpea Stir Fry
• Orange Chickpeas

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