Before practice
Saucy peanut noodle boxes built to ride in a backpack and eaten warm or cold.
Pack these into boxes now and dinner travels to the field without a second thought.
The peanut sauce coats everything, and the carrots and edamame keep it from feeling like just noodles.
Ingredients
The list below keeps pre-practice peanut noodle boxes sized for serves 4 without turning prep into a long project.
- 8 oz lo mein or spaghetti noodles
- 1 1/2 cups frozen shelled edamame
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 3 to 4 tablespoons warm water
How to Make It
On a late return home, build pre-practice peanut noodle boxes so reheating feels like the plan rather than a rescue.
- Cook the noodles according to the package, adding the edamame for the last 3 minutes; drain and rinse briefly under cool water.
- Whisk the peanut butter, soy sauce, honey, vinegar, sesame oil, and ginger together.
- Whisk in the warm water a tablespoon at a time until the sauce pours easily.
- Toss the noodles, edamame, and carrots with the sauce until coated.
- Divide among 4 boxes or bowls and serve warm or at room temperature.
Timing Before Practice
Start about 25 minutes out; the noodles and sauce are the only real steps.
- T-minus 25: boil noodles and edamame, whisk the sauce
- T-minus 12: toss everything together
- T-minus 4: fill the boxes and serve
Make It Ahead or Save Leftovers
These boxes are built to travel and taste great cold straight from the fridge.
- Make the sauce a day ahead and store it in a jar
- Pack full boxes the night before for a grab-and-go dinner
- Loosen leftovers with a splash of water since the noodles drink the sauce
- Serve with: cucumber slices, mandarin orange cups
Parent Tip
Rinse the noodles under cool water so they do not clump while you mix the sauce.
Make It Fit Tonight
Small Tweaks That Help This Dinner Land
Add chicken
Toss in 2 cups cooked chicken for a more filling box before a hard practice.
Use sunflower butter
Swap in sunflower seed butter for a peanut-free version.
Add crunch
Top with chopped peanuts or sesame seeds for texture.
Brighten it
Add a squeeze of lime and some sliced green onion before serving.
Pile on vegetables
Stir in sliced bell pepper or snap peas for more color and crunch.
Plan The Next Step
Find more grab-and-go dinners
Use the planner to gather meals that pack up and travel well.