Spelt noodles bring a mild, nutty flavour that works well in a Thai-style peanut bowl. They stay firm after cooking, so the texture holds even if you prep the bowl an hour ahead.
The peanut sauce here uses natural peanut butter, lime juice, soy sauce, and a small amount of sesame oil. It’s thick, savoury, and coats the noodles evenly without pooling at the bottom.
The vegetables stay raw or lightly blanched, so the bowl stays balanced – soft noodles, crisp cabbage, cool cucumber. You can swap in whatever you have in the fridge.
This dish works well for meal prep. Cook the noodles and mix the sauce ahead, then store them separately and combine just before serving.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Peanut sauce takes under 5 minutes to mix
- Spelt noodles stay firm, not soggy, when sauced
- One pot for noodles, one bowl for sauce
- Easily adapted to whatever vegetables you have
Ingredient Notes
- spelt noodles: Look for spelt spaghetti or spelt linguine in health food stores or online. Regular spelt flour pasta works the same way; avoid whole spelt if you want a lighter texture.
- natural peanut butter: Use smooth natural peanut butter with no added sugar for the cleanest flavour. Almond butter or sunflower seed butter works as a nut-free swap.
- soy sauce: Standard soy sauce keeps the sauce savoury. Use tamari for a gluten-free option, or coconut aminos for a lower-sodium result.
- rice vinegar: Adds brightness without overpowering the peanut. Apple cider vinegar is a close substitute in the same amount.
- fresh ginger: Grate it finely so it distributes through the sauce. Ground ginger works in a pinch – use one-quarter of the amount.
- red cabbage: Adds colour and crunch. Napa cabbage or shredded kale stays crisp for longer if you’re prepping ahead.
Spelt Thai Peanut Noodle Bowl
Description
Spelt noodles hold the peanut-lime sauce well without going soft, and the whole bowl comes together in one pot plus a mixing bowl. A reliable weeknight dinner with good texture and clean flavour.
Ingredients
Noodles and vegetables
Peanut sauce
Toppings
Instructions
Cook the noodles
- Bring a large saucepan of well-salted water to a rolling boil.
- Add the spelt spaghetti and cook for 1 minute less than the packet suggests, usually 8 to 9 minutes, until just al dente.
- Reserve 120 ml of pasta water before draining, then drain the noodles through a fine-mesh colander.
- Toss the drained noodles immediately with 1 teaspoon of sesame oil to prevent sticking and set aside.
Make the peanut sauce
- Add the peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey or maple syrup, garlic, ginger, and chili flakes to a medium mixing bowl.
- Whisk with a fork until the sauce is smooth and thick, about 1 minute.
- Add water one tablespoon at a time, whisking between additions, until the sauce flows freely from a spoon in a slow ribbon. Start with 2 tablespoons and add more if needed.
- Taste and adjust - add more lime for acidity, soy for saltiness, or honey for balance.
Assemble the bowls
- Add the warm spelt noodles to the bowl of peanut sauce and toss thoroughly until every strand is coated. If the sauce feels tight, add reserved pasta water one tablespoon at a time.
- Divide the dressed noodles between four bowls.
- Top each bowl with shredded red cabbage, julienned cucumber, julienned carrots, spring onions, coriander, and edamame if using.
- Finish with toasted sesame seeds, crushed peanuts, and a wedge of lime. Serve right away or at room temperature within 1 hour.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 4
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 510kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 21g33%
- Saturated Fat 3g15%
- Sodium 720mg30%
- Potassium 480mg14%
- Total Carbohydrate 62g21%
- Dietary Fiber 8g32%
- Sugars 9g
- Protein 18g36%
- Vitamin A 3200 IU
- Vitamin C 28 mg
- Calcium 65 mg
- Iron 3 mg
- Vitamin E 3 mg
- Vitamin K 38 mcg
- Thiamin 0.3 mg
- Riboflavin 0.2 mg
- Niacin 5 mg
- Vitamin B6 0.4 mg
- Folate 55 mcg
- Phosphorus 260 mg
- Magnesium 72 mg
- Zinc 2.1 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
Additional Notes
- Drain spelt noodles 1 minute early - they continue to soften in the warm sauce.
- Use reserved pasta water to adjust sauce thickness after tossing.
- Grate ginger directly into the sauce bowl to capture all the juice.
- Toast sesame seeds dry in a pan for 2 minutes before using as a topping.
- For meal prep, store noodles lightly oiled to prevent clumping overnight.
