Description
This Cold Sesame Peanut Pasta Salad is a quick, refreshing, and flavor-packed dish featuring tender noodles, crisp vegetables, and a creamy peanut-sesame dressing. It’s perfectly balanced with savory, nutty, and tangy notes — ideal for warm days, easy lunches, or make-ahead meals.
Ingredients
300 g (10½ oz) angel hair pasta
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 cup (140 g) edamame beans, thawed if frozen
1 carrot, grated or julienned
2 cups (150 g) shredded purple cabbage
1 cup (30 g) coriander (cilantro) leaves
2 spring onions (scallions), finely chopped
Chilli oil, to drizzle (optional)
Peanut Dressing
⅓ cup (80 ml) tamari or all-purpose soy sauce
½ cup (125 g) crunchy peanut butter
3 tbsp halal substitute ingredient
2 tbsp honey or brown sugar
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 tsp freshly grated garlic
1 tsp freshly grated ginger
2–3 tbsp water
To Serve
¼ cup (40 g) crushed peanuts
2 tbsp white sesame seeds
1 lime, cut into wedges
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to packet instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Drizzle with sesame oil and toss to prevent sticking.
- In a bowl, whisk together all the peanut dressing ingredients except the water. Gradually add 2–3 tablespoons of water until the dressing reaches a creamy, pourable consistency.
- In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta, edamame, carrot, cabbage, coriander, and spring onions. Add about one-third of the dressing and toss until evenly coated.
- Divide the salad among serving bowls. Drizzle with remaining dressing and top with crushed peanuts, sesame seeds, and a squeeze of lime.
- For extra heat, drizzle with chilli oil before serving.
Notes
Use gluten-free pasta and tamari for a gluten-free version.
Swap honey for maple syrup or agave to make it vegan.
Add protein such as grilled tofu, chicken, or shrimp for a heartier meal.
Substitute the halal ingredient with a vinegar alternative for tang.
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days; toss with extra dressing before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Tossing
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 830mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
