Asian-Inspired Noodle Salad

Asian Noodle Salad in whtie serving bowl.

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4.88 from 16 votes

This Noodle Salad is an easy cold pasta salad filled with fresh vegetables tossed in a sesame soy dressing.

Prep Time15 mins

Cook Time10 mins

Chilling Time2 hrs

Total Time2 hrs 25 mins

Course: Salad

Cuisine: Chinese

Servings:

Calories: 276kcal

Author: Kristen Chidsey

Ingredients

For the Noodles

8 ounces spaghetti noodles I use whole wheat
3 cups fresh broccoli florets chopped
1 cup yellow pepper slices
½ bunch green onions sliced
1 tablespoon sesame seeds optional

For the Sesame Dressing

¼ cup reduced sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar or honey
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
1 teaspoon minced garlic

Instructions

In a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, rice wine vinegar, and garlic together. Set aside.
Cook pasta in salted water according to package directions and then drain. DO NOT RINSE!
Toss pasta with sesame dressing and allow to cool slightly while you chop and prepare the vegetables, about 10 minutes.
Add the vegetables to the noodles and toss to combine. Top with sesame seeds and toss again to distribute.
While you can serve immediately, the flavors are best after the pasta salad has been refrigerated for at least 1 hour, even better after 4-8 hours.

Notes

Vegetables: Use any vegetables you like. Shredded cabbage, sugar snap peas, steamed edamame, carrots, broccoli slaw, grape tomatoes, etc.

Gluten-Free Modifications: To make this gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta and gluten-free soy sauce (Tamari).

Storage: Store this salad in an airtight container for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Do not leave out at room temperature for more than 3 hours.

Softer Vegetables: If you prefer softer, or crisp-tender vegetables over raw vegetables, add vegetables like broccoli and sugar snap peas to the boiling pasta water for the last 3 minutes that the pasta cooks.

Dealing with Dried Out Pasta Salad: Mix together 1 teaspoon of rice wine vinegar and 2 teaspoons of soy sauce together and toss with the pasta salad to moisten it up.

Nutrition