Ultimate Creamy Sesame Rice Noodles: A Flavorful & Easy Vegan/Vegetarian Recipe
As the days grow warmer and nature awakens, there’s nothing quite like a fresh, vibrant dish that captures the essence of spring. These **dreamy Creamy Sesame Rice Noodles** are exactly that—a celebration of color, texture, and simply delectable flavors. The array of fresh vegetables not only makes them visually stunning but also makes you feel wonderful about indulging in some satisfyingly “noodly” carbs. And let’s be honest, who can resist a bowl of perfectly cooked noodles, especially when they’re generously coated in a rich, gingery, and utterly divine tahini-based dressing?
The secret to these irresistible noodles lies in my signature Creamy Sesame Dressing. Friends, this dressing is truly exceptional. It’s not just good; it’s *so good* that it elevates any dish it touches. Its creamy texture and balanced flavors of sesame, ginger, and a hint of sweetness make it incredibly versatile. I use this dressing extensively in my kitchen – it’s perfect for a variety of salads, an excellent topping for fresh veggie wraps, a delightful dip for crudités, and the star ingredient in my favorite Classic Chinese Chicken Salad. For this particular recipe, I’ve designed it for two servings, making it ideal for a quick lunch or a romantic dinner. However, you can easily adjust the serving size to cater to more guests using the convenient adjustable bar on the recipe card below.
Crafting Your Perfect Creamy Sesame Rice Noodle Bowl
This recipe is incredibly straightforward and designed for maximum customization, allowing you to create a noodle bowl that perfectly suits your taste. Served at room temperature, it’s a refreshing alternative to hot meals, especially on warmer days. The foundation of this delightful dish is simple: well-prepared rice noodles and, of course, that luscious Creamy Sesame Dressing. Beyond these two core components, your choice of vegetables is entirely up to your preference and what’s in season.
Choosing the Right Noodles for Optimal Flavor
For this recipe, I prefer using Thai rice noodles that are similar in thickness to fettuccine. Their broader surface area is perfect for clinging to the rich, creamy dressing, ensuring every bite is bursting with flavor. These noodles are also wonderfully easy to find in the Asian food aisle of most major grocery stores. If rice noodles aren’t available or you prefer a different texture, you can absolutely substitute them with regular linguine or fettuccine pasta. Just remember to cook them according to their package instructions to achieve the ideal al dente texture.
Prepping Your Vibrant Veggies
The beauty of this dish lies in its flexibility and the opportunity to load it with a colorful assortment of vegetables. For my bowl, I love to include:
- Carrot Ribbons: Easily made with a potato peeler, they add a sweet crunch and beautiful orange hue.
- Thinly Sliced Cucumbers: Offering a refreshing crispness.
- Edamame: Providing a delightful pop of protein and vibrant green.
- Steamed and Cooled Broccoli: For a hearty texture and added nutrients.
- Scallions: Delivering a mild oniony bite.
- Red Cabbage: Contributing a gorgeous purple color and a satisfying crunch.
Feel free to experiment with other vegetables like bell peppers, shredded kale, bean sprouts, or snap peas. The more color, the better!
Step-by-Step Assembly for Creamy Sesame Rice Noodles
Creating your noodle bowl is a simple, meditative process. Here’s how to bring it all together:
- Begin by cooking your chosen rice noodles according to the package directions. It’s crucial not to overcook them; they should be tender but still have a slight chew. Once cooked, rinse them thoroughly under cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent them from sticking. Set them aside to cool completely.
- While the noodles are cooling, prepare a fresh batch of my famous Creamy Sesame Dressing. My original recipe calls for raw honey, but for my vegan friends, feel free to substitute with your preferred sweetener, such as maple syrup or agave nectar.
- Next, get all your vegetables ready. Slice, shred, and steam as needed, ensuring they are all bite-sized and prepped for assembly.
- Once your rice noodles have cooled completely and are well rinsed, it’s vital to drain any excess water thoroughly. I like to use a paper towel to gently pat them dry, ensuring the dressing will cling perfectly to every strand. The less water on the noodles, the better the dressing adhesion will be.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the prepared noodles with the Creamy Sesame Dressing. A good rule of thumb is to start with one tablespoon of dressing for every ounce of noodles. For the 4 ounces of noodles I prepared today, I began with 4 tablespoons of dressing. Add a pinch of kosher salt to enhance the flavors.
- Toss the noodles gently but thoroughly to ensure every strand is evenly coated with the rich, creamy dressing. Then, divide the noodles into two serving bowls.
- Now for the fun part: layering in the freshness! Top each bowl generously with all your prepped vegetables. Don’t be shy – the more veggies, the more vibrant and nutritious your meal will be.
- Finish your masterpiece by drizzling a little extra dressing over the top if desired (I always do!), sprinkling with toasted sesame seeds for added crunch and aroma, and garnishing with delicate slices of pickled ginger for a tangy finish.
Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Recipe
- Incredibly Flavorful: The homemade creamy sesame dressing is the star, delivering a complex, savory, and slightly sweet profile with a zesty kick from ginger.
- Nutrient-Packed: Loaded with a rainbow of fresh vegetables, this dish is a fantastic way to boost your daily nutrient intake.
- Highly Customizable: Easily adapt it to your preferences, dietary needs, or whatever fresh produce you have on hand.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Ideal for a quick weeknight dinner, a satisfying work lunch, or a delightful side dish for gatherings.
- Vegan & Vegetarian Friendly: Naturally plant-based, making it a wonderful option for everyone.
- Quick & Easy: With minimal cooking required, this dish comes together in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy schedules.
Tips for Perfect Creamy Sesame Rice Noodles Every Time
- Don’t Overcook Your Noodles: Rice noodles can become mushy quickly. Follow package instructions closely and rinse immediately with cold water.
- Dry Your Noodles Well: This is crucial! Excess water will dilute the dressing and prevent it from coating the noodles properly.
- Taste and Adjust the Dressing: My Creamy Sesame Dressing recipe is well-balanced, but feel free to tweak it to your liking. Add more ginger for a bolder kick, more honey for sweetness, or a dash of chili flakes for heat.
- Prep Ahead: Most of the vegetables can be prepped in advance, and the dressing can be made days ahead, making assembly a breeze.
- Serve at Room Temperature: This dish truly shines when served slightly cooled, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
Variations & Customizations to Explore
This recipe is a blank canvas for your culinary creativity. Here are some ideas to make it your own:
- Add Protein: For a more substantial meal, consider adding grilled chicken, pan-fried tofu or tempeh, shrimp, or a boiled egg.
- Spice It Up: A drizzle of sriracha, a pinch of red pepper flakes, or a dash of chili oil can add a wonderful heat.
- Different Veggies: Bell peppers, snow peas, bok choy, mushrooms, spinach, or even roasted sweet potatoes can be fantastic additions.
- Crunch Factor: Toasted peanuts, cashews, or crispy fried shallots will add an extra layer of texture.
- Gluten-Free: The recipe is naturally gluten-free if you use rice noodles and ensure your soy sauce (in the dressing) is gluten-free.
Storage and Meal Prep
These Creamy Sesame Rice Noodles are excellent for meal prepping! Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The flavors tend to deepen overnight, making it even more delicious the next day. If preparing for meal prep, keep the dressing separate and add it just before serving to maintain the freshest texture of the vegetables, especially if you plan to use delicate greens. The noodles and heartier veggies will hold up well when tossed with the dressing in advance.
Inspired by this delicious recipe? Make sure to mention us or tag us on Instagram when you share your creations! All content and photographs ©Claudia’s Table and claudiastable.com.
Creamy Sesame Rice Noodles
Ana | Claudia’s Table
March 18, 2021
Pin Recipe
Equipment
-
Pot large enough to cook noodles
-
vegetable peeler (optional)
Ingredients
- 4 oz rice noodles Thai, fettuccine thickness preferred
- 1 recipe Creamy Sesame Dressing plus extra for serving (see link below in notes)
- pinch kosher salt
- 1 cup carrot shreds or ribbons
- 1/2 cup cucumber thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup red cabbage thinly shredded
- 1/4 cup scallions thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup edamame
- 1 cup broccoli steamed and cooled
- 2 tbsp pickled ginger for serving
- sesame seeds for serving, toasted
Instructions
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Cook rice noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Drain immediately and rinse thoroughly under cold water to prevent sticking and stop the cooking process.
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Once the rice noodles have cooled and are well rinsed, ensure all excess water is drained. For best results, gently pat the noodles dry with a paper towel. This ensures the dressing will adhere perfectly.
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In a large mixing bowl, add the prepped and dried noodles. For optimal coating, I recommend starting with approximately one tablespoon of dressing per ounce of noodles.
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For this recipe, using 4 ounces of noodles, I began with 4 tablespoons of the Creamy Sesame Dressing. Add a pinch of kosher salt to the noodles.
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Toss the noodles thoroughly to coat them evenly with the dressing. Then, divide the dressed noodles into two individual serving bowls. You can add more of the Creamy Sesame Dressing to taste at this stage or after plating.
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Top each noodle bowl generously with all the prepared fresh vegetables. For a beautiful presentation and enhanced flavor, drizzle with more dressing if desired, sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds, and crown with delicate slices of pickled ginger. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is calculated online and should be used as a guide.
All content and photographs ©Claudia’s Table and claudiastable.com
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