![PAD THAI ZUCCHINI NOODLE SALAD with a creamy peanut butter sauce and quinoa for extra protein [vegan]](https://www.simplyquinoa.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/pad-thai-zoodle-salad-3.jpg)
Today I'm remaking one of my favorite take out dishes of all time: Pad Thai!
This noodle dish is traditionally served with rice noodles, egg, some sort of protein and a delicious peanut sauce. It often might feel like a healthier option, but there's a lot of junk hiding inside. The noodles are basically pure starch with zero nutritional value. The sauce usually has sugar, fish sauce and a ton of sodium in it, and the whole thing is finished off with a high-heat saute in vegetable oil.
So…is pad thai healthy? Not really.
But with a few tweaks, we've been able to get rid of all the crappy ingredients and transform this dish into a nourishing, flavorful and veggie-packed salad that requires no cooking and takes about 10 minutes to make.
Cheaper than takeout. Faster than takeout. And healthier than takeout. That's a win in my book.
![Pad Thai Zucchini Noodles -- arguably the easiest pad thai EVER! with tons of veggies, quinoa for protein and a healthy peanut butter sauce! [vegan + gluten-free]](https://www.simplyquinoa.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/pad-thai-zoodle-salad-8.jpg)
So it's time to whip out your spiralizer, slice of up some veggies and dig into this healthy pasta dish.
And if you don't have a spiralizer already, the one I'm using in today's video is The Inspiralizer — I've tested out a bunch of different tools and this one is by far the best. I talked about the features I love about it before in this post, but if you are in the market for a spiralizer, I highly recommend this one! Click here to grab an Inspiralizer.
Since I'm a big pasta lover and we're getting into zucchini season, I'm planning to use my spiralizer a lot this summer. I'll be sure to share some of my creations on the blog, but I'd also love to hear what your favorite spiralized recipe is!
Your turn…
Do you spiralize? What's your favorite veggie/recipe? Leave a comment below so we can also give each other inspiration for this amazing kitchen gadget!
And if you haven't joined the SQ community on YouTube yet, make sure you subscribe so you don't miss any of my videos (I don't always post them on the blog!)
xo Alyssa
Pad Thai Zucchini Noodle + Quinoa Salad
Ingredients
- 1 medium zucchini
- 1 cup shredded cabbage
- 1 cup sliced red bell pepper
- 2 scallions, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1/2 cup cooked quinoa
- 1/4 cup dry roasted peanuts
for the sauce
- 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter (or almond butter)
- Juice of 2 limes
- 2 teaspoons gluten-free tamari
- 1 teaspoon sriracha sauce (or asian hot sauce of choice)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- Water as needed to thin the sauce
Instructions
- Slice the ends off the zucchini and secure it to your spiralizer. Spiralize the zucchini into long noodles and transfer to a large bowl.
- Thinly slice the cabbage and pepper, either with a knife or mandolin slicer, and add that to the bowl with the zucchini noodles, along with the scallions, cilantro, quinoa and peanuts.
- In a small bowl, whisk together dressing ingredients. Add water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until it’s thin enough to pour — you’re looking for the consistency of a creamy dressing.
- Pour dressing over the vegetables and toss to coat. Transfer to two bowls, sprinkle with a bit more peanuts and cilantro and enjoy!
by Alyssa
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Serving Size | |
| Amount Per Serving | As Served |
| Calories 311kcal Calories from fat 168 | |
| % Daily Value | |
| Total Fat 19g | 29% |
| Saturated Fat 3g | 15% |
| Transfat 0g | |
| Sodium 426mg | 18% |
| Carbohydrate 28g | 9% |
| Dietary Fiber 8g | 32% |
| Sugars 9g | |
| Protein 14g | |
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs:
| Calories | 2000 | |
|---|---|---|
| Total Fat | Less than | 65g |
| Sat Fat | Less than | 25g |
| Cholesterol | Less than | 300mg |
| Sodium | Less than | 2,400mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 300g | |
| Dietary Fiber | 25g | |
New to cooking quinoa? Grab your FREE Quinoa Starter Guide!
Become part of the Simply Quinoa community and receive weekly emails with exclusive content that I only share in email, as well as my in-depth guide to starting your quinoa journey.
Want more spiralized recipes?
Follow my board on Pinterest!
Alyssa is the quinoa-obsessed girl behind Simply Quinoa. She's passionate about helping you find health, happiness and balance with wholesome recipes and lifestyle tips.
Heather says
I spiralise loads and use the Inspiralizer. I’m disabled uou won’t recall but this is so much better I fave my Lurch one away with a massive gash in my right index finger knuckle.
I do bulk spiralising then put everything in bags and freeze in 100g sizes. Not white potato or fruit but everything else uncooked.
If I see a recipe using cubed veg, wherever I can I spiralise. My go to help is Ali @inspiralised I’ve learned loads, you are both my saviours. Ali shows in spiralising 1st then blend to make rice saved time, power etc.
So good job.
I don’t like Chinese or Thai food it’s full of crap as you say. Hubby loves it but rarely gets it…. Asian food lol…. Id cook this with him. He’d be happy + crap free.
Thanks dear 😊
Alyssa says
Love to hear that Heather! And so happy that you’re enjoying spiralizing. Isn’t Ali the best? She’s a great friend of mine and is such an inspiration. She’s changing the world one pasta lover at a time 😉
Betsy says
This looks delicious! So you eat the zucchini noodles raw?
Alyssa says
Most of the time I actually do eat the zucchini noodles raw because I like the crunch, but you can totally cook them! That’s how Matt likes to eat them 🙂
Lauren says
So you know Ali Mafucci? I follow her too. Did you know you can inspiralize the cabbage and red pepper too? I follow you and Ali for all your great recipes! Glad you two are friends.
Alyssa says
I do! She actually emailed me and said I should have spiralized the cabbage 🙂
Alison Gattas says
How do you spralized the cabbage
Alyssa says
Here’s a great tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcUPKnr6eZQ
Heather @ Polyglot Jot says
This looks great! I love zoodles and sweet potato noodles!
Alyssa says
SAME! Sweet potato noodles are the best!
Karen Beth Martin says
You are a genius for this recipe. I just made it and… OH MY GOODNESS! Love it! I forgot the scallion when I was at the store today so I think it will be even better when I make it next time. Which will be immediately when this batch is finished. So good. THANK YOU!!
Alyssa says
So glad you enjoyed it!! I’ve been craving it all day and need to make it for dinner tomorrow! xo
Deborah Vickers says
I loved the Pad Thai Salad but I missed the hint of sweetness so added a little raw honey to the sauce and it was just perfect. I also added more quinoa. Thanks so much for a great recipe!
Alyssa says
Lovely!! So happy you enjoyed it 🙂
Melissa says
Hi! Was wondering what type of mandolin slicer you used? I’ve checked Amazon but the reviews for the ones listed are not great.
Alyssa says
Hi there – here’s the one I have and I really really like it: http://amzn.to/25N0WZA
Meghan says
What can i do if i want this recipe to be warm (like pad thai) Temperature warm not spicy warm.
Alyssa says
Feel fee to just toss in a pan quickly 😊
Raina says
This recipe was delicious….loved it! I am tracking my nutrition and macros closely. Do you happen to have nutritional information for this recipe. I.e. total calories, grams of fat, carbs and protein for a serving. Much appreciated if you do.
Alyssa says
I don’t right now, but you can plug them into a tool like this to get it: https://www.caloriecount.com/cc/recipe_analysis.php Hope that helps and I’m glad you enjoyed it!! xo
Jeena says
I’m going to try this, but add a little tamarind to the sauce. Can’t wait to dig in!
Alyssa says
Sounds incredible! xo