Ingredients

• 8 ounces spaghetti or noodles of choice — $1.20
• 1/2 cup peanut butter — $1.00
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce — $0.30
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup or sugar — $0.20
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or lime juice — $0.25
• 2 cloves garlic, minced — $0.20
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger or 1 teaspoon fresh ginger — $0.15
• 1 tablespoon oil or warm water to thin sauce — $0.10
• 1 small carrot, shredded — $0.30
• 2 green onions, sliced — $0.35
• Optional: red pepper flakes or hot sauce — $0.10

Estimated ingredient total: $4.15 to $4.55
Displayed website estimate: $7.90

Detailed Instructions

1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the noodles according to package directions.
2. While the noodles cook, make the sauce by stirring together the peanut butter, soy sauce, maple syrup, vinegar or lime juice, garlic, and ginger.
3. Add 1 to 3 tablespoons of warm water until the sauce becomes smooth and pourable.
4. Shred the carrot and slice the green onions.
5. Drain the noodles, reserving a little pasta water if needed.
6. Return the noodles to the pot or place them in a large bowl.
7. Pour the peanut sauce over the hot noodles and toss until evenly coated.
8. If the sauce feels too thick, add a small splash of pasta water and toss again.
9. Mix in the carrot and half the green onions.
10. Taste and adjust with more soy sauce, sweetener, or heat if needed.
11. Divide into bowls and top with the remaining green onions.

Helpful Notes

• This can be served warm or cold.
• Add chopped cabbage or frozen edamame if you want more bulk.
• Thin spaghetti works especially well for this style of sauce.

Price Note