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Spicy Thai Peanut Noodle Bento Box 

Spicy Thai Peanut Noodle Bento Box

Raise your hand if you've packed a lunch so boring you ended up buying takeout instead. Yeah, me too, more times than I'd like to admit. That's exactly the problem this spicy Thai peanut noodle bento box solves, and once you make it, you'll wonder why you ever settled for sad desk salads.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 5
Course: cute lunch boxes, Lunch, lunch box ideas for adults
Cuisine: American
Calories: 470
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • The Ingredient List And Why Each One Earns Its Spot
  • Here's everything you need to feed 5 people.
  • For the Peanut Sauce
  • ½ cup creamy peanut butter
  • ½ cup water
  • ¼ cup low sodium soy sauce or tamari for a gluten-free option
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice or rice vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons agave or brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Sriracha hot sauce
  • For Everything Else
  • 8 ounces spaghetti noodles or rice noodles
  • 1 cup shelled edamame
  • 1 cup shredded carrots
  • 1 red bell pepper seeded and thinly sliced
  • 2 green onions chopped
  • ¼ cup chopped cilantro
  • ¼ cup chopped peanuts

Equipment

  • A large pot for boiling your noodles
  • A colander to drain them once they're cooked
  • A small or medium mixing bowl for whisking together the peanut sauce
  • A whisk or fork to blend the sauce ingredients smoothly
  • A large mixing bowl to combine everything together
  • 5 meal prep containers to portion out your bento boxes for the week
  • That's it. No blender, no food processor, nothing complicated. If your kitchen has a pot and a couple of bowls, you're already set.

Method
 

  1. Step 1- Make the Peanut Sauce
  2. In a small or medium bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, water, soy sauce or tamari, minced garlic, lime juice, agave, and Sriracha until completely smooth. Set it aside while you handle the noodles. This step takes maybe two minutes, so don't overthink it.
  3. Step 2- Cook the Noodles
  4. Cook your noodles of choice according to the package instructions, whether that's spaghetti or rice noodles. Once they're done, drain them well. Rinsing with cold water afterward helps prevent sticking, especially if you're prepping these ahead of time.
  5. Step 3- Combine Everything
  6. Add the cooked noodles to a large bowl along with the edamame, shredded carrots, sliced bell pepper, green onions, and chopped peanuts. Pour the peanut sauce over everything and stir well until every noodle gets coated. Ever notice how satisfying it is watching a plain bowl of noodles transform into something vibrant and colorful? That's this step right here.
  7. Step 4- Portion and Store
  8. Divide the noodle mixture evenly between your five meal prep containers. Top with a little extra cilantro and chopped peanuts if you want some added crunch and freshness. Serve immediately if you're eating right away, or cover and refrigerate for later in the week.

Notes

Nutrition Breakdown

Here's what you're working with per serving:
  • Calories- 470 kcal
  • Carbohydrates- 59g
  • Protein- 19g
  • Fat- 19g
  • Saturated Fat- 4g
  • Polyunsaturated Fat- 5g
  • Monounsaturated Fat- 9g
  • Sodium- 619mg
  • Potassium- 644mg
  • Fiber- 7g
  • Sugar - 16g
  • Vitamin A- 5128 IU
  • Vitamin C- 40mg
  • Calcium- 71mg
  • Iron- 3mg