This cold noodle pasta salad made with rice noodles, and lots of fresh crunchy veggies, gets tossed in a quick sesame dressing for one quick and easy dish.
I love simple pasta salads like this cold sesame noodle salad; perfect for a light lunch (it’s vegetarian!) or summer potluck at a party.
It’s incredibly flavorful with a tangy sesame dressing, lots of fresh and crunchy textures from veggies like cucumber, cabbage and bell pepper. And thanks to the rice noodles, it’s hearty enough as a stand alone meal for lunch or cold sesame noodle salad at any potluck dinner.
Ingredients for sesame noodle salad
This Sesame Noodle Salad could not be easier. I love it for a quick meal loaded with lots of fresh, crunchy veggies and as a simple shortcut, I use store bought sesame dressing to keep prep simple. If you want to play with the flavors, you could swap the sesame dressing for a peanut dressing or citrus-soy as well.
what type of noodles should I use for sesame pasta salad
I prefer a gluten-free noodle made with rice flour for this cold sesame noodle salad; rice flour noodles don’t clump or break the way other gluten-free noodles do like a GF corn blend and since this is a cold pasta salad in the end, I want a sturdy pasta salad that will hold up in the fridge for several days.
You don’t have to use gluten-free noodles: Soba noodles or ramen, cooked to package directions will also work. You want a long, thickish noodle to hold up against all of the fresh, crunchy veggies in this cold noodle salad.
- Gluten free noodle options: rice noodles, spaghetti or angel hair made using rice flour.
- wheat noodle options: soba noodles, ramen, or udon will all work as will spaghetti or angel hair made with flour.
Can I add protein to cold noodle pasta salad
I love this salad as-is for a light lunch or potluck option, but it’s incredibly easy to make it a complete meal and stretch it out by adding protein.
Quick ways to add to bulk up this salad:
- chicken: grilled chicken, air fried chicken thighs, shrimp, or even shredded rotisserie chicken work great in this salad for extra protein.
- Tofu: would be a really tasty texture, while keeping this vegetarian.
- Edamame: is a great vegan alternative and the easiest way to add protein if you’d like to this salad.
How long does sesame noodle salad last in the fridge?
This salad typically lasts 3-4 days in an airtight container in the fridge. I do not recommend freezing because of all the fresh veggies, tossed with the dressing.
You can easily prep this ahead of time for a potluck or lunches. Personally I like to prep a batch on Monday for the week and just scoop a bowl for lunch daily until the bowl runs out (about 4 days for our household of two adults).
Sesame Noodle Salad made with crunchy veggies and rice noodles
Ingredients
- 14 ounces rice noodles - see notes
- 1 cup red cabbage, shredded - or green cabbage or a bag of coleslaw mix
- 1 red pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 cup carrots, shredded
- 1/2 cup seedless cucumber, sliced
- 1/4-1/2 cup sesame dressing - store-bought is fine
- 3 stalks green onion, thinly sliced - optional
- 2-3 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds, for garnish - optional
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. We want a firm noodle to hold up in this cold pasta salad. Drain and set aside.
- To a large mixing bowl, add cooked noodles, shredded cabbage, sliced bell pepper, shredded carrots, sliced cucumber.
- Add sesame dressing and toss to combine. Start with 1/4 cup and add more dressing as desired to toss (up to 1/2 cup)
- Garnish with green onions and toasted sesame seeds, if using. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
WHAT TYPE OF NOODLES SHOULD I USE
- Gluten free noodle options: rice noodles, spaghetti or angel hair made using rice flour.
- Non gluten-free options: soba noodles, ramen, or udon will all work as will spaghetti or angel hair made with wheat flour.
Nutrition
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