Gemelli with Peanut Butter Sauce, garnished with cilantro and toasted sesame seeds in an Asian-inspired print serving bowl.

A while back I did an integration with JIF Peanut Butter for Hoda & Jenna.  I’m pretty sure the producer, Jackie, was trying to throw me a curve ball with a very not Italian-American ingredient, but it wasn’t going to stop me from making a pasta dish!

This sauce is inspired by a Thai peanut dipping sauce (think chicken satay!). It comes together so fast that you’ll still be waiting for the pasta water to boil.

Gemelli with Asian-Inspired Peanut Butter Sauce

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 6
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Leave a Review

Ingredients
 

  • ⅔ cup JIF Extra Crunchy Peanut Butter
  • 3 tablespoons sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon freshly grated ginger
  • ¼ teaspoon granulated garlic
  • 1 pound gemelli
  • 2 tablespoons cilantro, rough chopped, plus more for garnish
  • Toasted sesame seeds, for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Bring a large stockpot of salted water to a rolling boil.
  • Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions, until al dente. Reserve some pasta water.
  • Meanwhile, make the sauce by combining the JIF Extra Crunchy Peanut Butter, sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, ginger and granulated garlic and whisk to combine.
  • Once drained, return the pasta to the stockpot and add the sauce and cilantro and stir to coat, adding the reserved pasta water, as needed, until a creamy consistency is reached.
  • Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and cilantro leaves and serve immediately.
Course: Pasta
Author: Anthony Michael Contrino