Buttered Noodles
Butter Noodles are an easy side dish recipe that is ready in about 20 minutes. Egg noodles tossed in butter flavored with garlic, seasonings, herbs, and a little red pepper for heat is a simple and comforting side that pairs with so many main dishes.
Butter Noodles Recipe
From the department of “Oooh, I loved buttered noodles growing up,” I present to you these – guess what! – easy buttered noodles. They’re a little retro, really simple, and the best carby side dish that takes all of 20 minutes. Plus, you only need six ingredients, and one of them is optional.
How to Make the Recipe
This buttered noodle recipe is so easy, and the flavor conjures up all of the sepia-colored childhood dinner memories for me, but in the spirit of “get to the recipe already,” I’ll spare you the details and get right to the good stuff.
More Easy Sides
| Garlic Toast | White Mac and Cheese | Parmesan Potatoes | Garlic Lemon Green Beans |
PrintButtered Noodles
Buttered Noodles are an easy side recipe ready in about 20 minutes. Egg noodles tossed in butter flavored with garlic, seasonings, herbs, and a little red pepper for heat is a simple comforting side that pairs with so many main dishes.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dishes
- Method: Stove
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 8 ounces egg noodles
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cloves of garlic, peeled and smashed
- 1 pinch of red pepper flake (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the noodles and cook them for the recommended time on the package (about 10 to 12 minutes).
- Slowly melt the butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Add the smashed garlic and red pepper to the pan and stir.
- Cook and stir the garlic butter sauce over medium-low to low heat. Just before the noodles are done boiling, take the garlic cloves out of the sauce and discard them. Add the salt and pepper and stir.
- When the noodles are done, quickly drain them and add them to the pan with the butter. Stir and toss them in the butter sauce. Add the salt, pepper, and parsley and toss to combine again before serving.
Nutrition
- Calories: 235
- Sugar: 0.3g
- Sodium: 5.5mg
- Fat: 18.5g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6.3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15.1g
- Fiber: 0.9g
- Protein: 2.9g
- Cholesterol: 62.2mg
The nutrition is an estimate only. It was calculated using Nutrifox, an online nutrition calculator.
Ingredient Notes
Egg noodles are traditional but you can substitute other kinds of short pasta shapes. I think mini penne, small shells, or rotini would work well.
For the best flavor, use fresh garlic, but If you don’t have any on hand, you can use 1/2 teaspoon or so of garlic powder. Start small and add more to your taste.
The red pepper flakes are optional, but I love the little hint of heat.
Feel free to add in some grated Parmesan cheese to make them cheesy buttered noodles. It would not be wrong – in fact, it would be very right if you’re in the mood.
Recipe Tips
This is such a simple recipe – it’s hard to mess up! But there are a few things to keep in mind when you make it.
When you melt the butter, maintain the heat at medium-low. You want the butter to melt, but you don’t want it to brown (or burn!).
When you add the garlic, keep that temperature around medium to medium-low. You want to infuse all of that butter with the garlic flavor, but slowly so the garlic doesn’t brown or burn.
I think butter noodles are best when they’re made, but leftovers will keep in the refrigerator for a few days. The garlic butter sauce won’t be quite the same when you reheat them, but it will still be good.
Want More Recipe Ideas?
Buttery noodles for the warm-fuzzy feelings win – if it’s been a while since you’ve treated yourself to this simple side dish, now’s the time.
Happy noodle-ing,
