Pad Thai Style Pasta - beautifully plated pasta dish

Pad Thai Style Pasta

The sweet-sour-savoury magic of pad Thai using readily available Canadian ingredients. Peanuts, lime, and tamarind.

Prep Time

15 min

Cook Time

10 min

Servings

4

Calories

420

Ingredients

  • 400 g pasta (your choice of shape)
  • 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.25 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. 1

    Cook the Pasta

    Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.

  2. 2

    Prepare the Base

    While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

  3. 3

    Build the Sauce

    Add the main sauce ingredients to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until the flavours meld together, about 3-5 minutes.

  4. 4

    Combine

    Add the drained pasta to the sauce and toss vigorously, adding pasta water as needed to achieve a silky consistency that coats every strand.

  5. 5

    Serve

    Plate immediately and garnish with fresh herbs and freshly grated cheese. Serve hot with crusty bread on the side.

Chef's Notes

I toss cooked Asian noodles with a teaspoon of sesame oil immediately after draining to prevent sticking.

Chef Luca Bianchi

About This Recipe

This is one of those recipes where the name promises something exotic but the result is something even better: honest, buttery pasta dressed with garlic and olive oil, finished with a handful of fresh herbs and a shower of grated cheese. It tastes like comfort food that arrived from somewhere warm.

What makes it work is the technique. Reserving that starchy pasta water and tossing it into the skillet creates a silky coating that clings to every strand. The onions soften into sweetness while the garlic blooms without burning. Simple, yes, but deeply satisfying on a weeknight.

Tips for the Best Pad Thai Style Pasta

Gardez la chaleur modérée quand vous faites cuire l'ail — une chaleur trop forte rendra les trois gousses amères avant qu'elles ne libèrent leur parfum. Le moment clé survient quand vous mélangez les pâtes égouttées dans la poêle : ajoutez l'eau réservée une louche à la fois jusqu'à ce que la sauce semble brillante et se détache des bords du plat en rubans.

What to Serve With It

This pairs beautifully with a crisp white wine like a Sauvignon Blanc from Niagara Peninsula or a light rosé from Ontario. A simple green salad with lemon vinaigrette cuts through the richness, and crusty bread for soaking up the last bits of sauce is non-negotiable. For a quick side, roasted asparagus with a squeeze of lemon works perfectly.

Storage & Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce — the microwave tends to dry out the pasta. The cheese will firm up when cold, but it'll melt back in during reheating.

Nutrition Facts

420

cal

16g

Protein

18g

Fat

65g

Carbs

6g

Fiber

421mg

Sodium

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use gluten-free pasta for this?+

Yes, though gluten-free pasta releases more starch into the water, so reserve a little extra pasta water and adjust the amount you add to the skillet accordingly.

How do I prevent the garlic from burning?+

Add the garlic after the onions have softened slightly and keep the heat at medium. Cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant — if it starts browning, remove the pan from the heat immediately.

What cheese works best here?+

Parmesan or Pecorino Romano are classic choices. Grate them fresh rather than buying pre-grated, since the additives in pre-grated cheese won't melt as smoothly into the sauce.

Can I make this ahead of time?+

It's best made fresh, but you can prep the garlic and onion ahead and store them in the fridge for up to a day. Assemble and cook just before serving for the best texture.

How spicy should I make this?+

The base recipe is mild, but you can add red pepper flakes along with the garlic for a gentle warmth. Start with a quarter teaspoon and adjust to taste.

Tips & Tricks

  • Always salt your pasta water generously — it should taste like the sea.
  • Reserve a cup of starchy pasta water before draining. It's liquid gold for emulsifying sauces.
  • Cook pasta 1 minute less than the package says if finishing it in the sauce.

Reviews (5)

Sarah M.★★★★★

So glad I found this recipe. The instructions are clear and the result is consistently great. I've made it four times already.

David C.★★★★★

Restaurant quality at home. I followed the recipe exactly and it turned out amazing. The pasta water trick really makes the sauce come together.

Lisa P.★★★★★

Made this for a dinner party and everyone wanted the recipe. It's impressive enough for guests but easy enough for Tuesday night.

Robert B.★★★★★

Five stars! The flavour combination is spot on. I added a little extra garlic because that's how we like it, and it was incredible.

Jennifer K.★★★★★

This is now our go-to weeknight dinner. Ready in under 30 minutes and tastes like it took hours. My kids ask for seconds every time.