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Jump to Recipe PrintThis orange sesame noodle salad recipe is a bright, tangy, and delicious dish, loaded with fresh greens and a tasty sweet sesame dressing. This easy recipe makes a great side dish, or even a light lunch.
Ready in just 20 minutes this simple and tasty noodle bowl is a sweet and savory take on pasta salad. Serve this alongside some bok choy ramen, or with crispy tofu – it’s a great addition to any meal!
This simple orange sesame cold noodles is a fun twist on classic pasta salad! It’s a little sweet, a little savory, and has delicious sesame crunch is every bite. This quick and easy dish is a great lunch option – and easy to meal prep for the week!
Start by cooking the pasta and cooling it under running water. Toss with fresh greens (I used baby spinach) and a light dressing that takes just 5 minutes to make with fresh orange juice.
This Orange Sesame Noodle Salad Recipe Is
- Bright
- Flavorful
- Tangy
- Sweet
- Savory
- Earthy
- Versatile
- Ready in 20 Minutes
Fresh Salad Recipes You’ll Make Again & Again
We absolutely love big bold salads, with fresh flavors and tasty dressings. This orange pasta salad is the perfect combination of savory with pops of sweetness from the fresh clementines and orange juice.
There are NO boring salads here, we bring our best ingredients to each & every salad pairing. Some of light and delicate, some are hearty and satisfying. Browse through all our simple salad recipes to find your next favorite.
Ingredients for this Orange Noodles Salad Recipe
See the recipe card below for full ingredient amounts and recipe instructions!
- Pasta – you can use any long pasta you like for this. I used whole wheat spaghetti, rice noodles, gluten free pastas, linguine, fettuccine, or even capellini noodles.
- Oranges – I used mandarins which are in season at the moment, but you can use any variety you like!
- Baby spinach
- Pepitas – another name for hulled pumpkin seeds, these pepitas add wonderful crunch and flavor to each bite of this tasty salad.
- Sesame Seeds – another tasty addition to add a nice texture to the dish.
- 5-Minute Orange Sesame Vinaigrette – made with extra virgin olive oil, toasted sesame oil, fresh orange juice, soy sauce, and rice vinegar for sweetness.
How to Make Orange Sesame Pasta Salad
- Cook pasta al dente, according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water, and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the baby spinach, peeled orange slices, pepitas, and sesame seeds. Toss in the cooked and cooled pasta.
- In a small bowl (or mason jar with airtight lid) mix together the dressing ingredients: olive oil, toasted sesame oil, orange juice, rice vinegar, garlic, sugar, and soy sauce. Mix well to cine into a smooth creamy dressing.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta salad. Toss before serving.
- Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 1 day.
Dietary Modifications
This recipe is vegan, vegetarian, and dairy free.
To make gluten free, substitute a gluten free pasta in for the spaghetti, and substitute a gluten free soy sauce alternative (like coconut aminos or tamari) instead of the soy sauce. Always ensure all ingredients are certified gluten free before using.
A Simple Make-Ahead Appetizer or Side Dish
This noodle salad with oranges and sesame seeds makes a great potluck dish or side for guests – do the prep the day before! It’s easy to make ahead of time, just follow steps 1-3, refrigerate, and toss the dressing in the salad right before serving.
Prepping side dishes ahead of time can save you time if you are getting ready for a party! Browse all our make-ahead meals to find your next entertaining favorite.
More Simple Salads You’ll Love
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Orange Sesame Noodle Salad
Equipment
- Large Pot
- Mixing Bowls
Ingredients
For the Pasta Salad
- 8 ounces pasta I used spaghetti
- 2 oranges peeled and sliced
- 4 cups baby spinach
- 1/2 cup pepitas
- 1/4 cup sesame seeds
For the Dressing
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 1/3 cup orange juice freshly squeezed
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
Instructions
- Cook pasta al dente, according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water, and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the baby spinach, peeled orange slices, pepitas, and sesame seeds. Toss in the cooked and cooled pasta.
- In a small bowl (or mason jar with airtight lid) mix together the dressing ingredients: olive oil, toasted sesame oil, orange juice, rice vinegar, garlic, sugar, and soy sauce. Mix well to cine into a smooth creamy dressing.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta salad. Toss before serving.
- Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 1 day.
Nutrition
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Yummy
A delicious combination of flavors