Sesame Spaghetti Salad

Elevate your pasta game with this Sesame Spaghetti Salad, a vibrant fusion of flavors and textures that's both refreshing and satisfying. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing side dish, this dish combines al dente spaghetti with a zesty sesame dressing made from sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, garlic, and ginger. Crisp vegetables like julienned carrots and sliced red bell peppers add crunch, while scallions, cilantro, and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds provide a burst of fresh, nutty flavor. Ready in just 25 minutes, this chilled spaghetti salad is a delightful balance of savory, tangy, and slightly sweet notes, making it an ideal choice for warm-weather meals or potluck gatherings. For a touch of heat, the crushed red pepper flakes take the flavor up a notch, leaving your taste buds craving more.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 300 grams spaghetti
• 3 tablespoons sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 teaspoon ginger
• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
• 2 stalks scallions
• 1 small carrot
• 1 medium red bell pepper
• 2 tablespoons cilantro
• 0.5 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking. Set aside.

Step 2

While the pasta cooks, prepare the sesame dressing. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, crushed garlic (using a garlic press or finely minced), grated ginger, and crushed red pepper flakes. Set aside to let the flavors meld.

Step 3

Toast the sesame seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, for 2-3 minutes until golden and fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 4

Chop the scallions into thin slices, julienne the carrot, and thinly slice the red bell pepper. Roughly chop the cilantro leaves.

Step 5

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked spaghetti, scallions, carrot, bell pepper, and cilantro.

Step 6

Pour the sesame dressing over the spaghetti mixture. Toss everything together until evenly coated.

Step 7

Sprinkle the toasted sesame seeds on top for garnish.

Step 8

Serve immediately as a light meal or chilled for a refreshing salad. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(655.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1106.6

Total Fat 55.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 8.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 21.7g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1205.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 129.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 12.8g	0%
Total Sugars 27.0g
Protein 26.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 112.8mg	0%
Iron 7.9mg	0%
Potassium 846.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 44.5%

Protein: 9.4%

Carbs: 46.1%