Garlic Butter Noodles Recipe

Irresistible Garlic Butter Noodles Recipe for Quick Dinners

Garlic butter noodles represent a culinary symphony that changes simple ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

Savory aromas waft through kitchens, promising comfort and satisfaction with every twirled bite.

Rich, creamy textures emerge from carefully combined ingredients that dance between silky smoothness and robust flavor profiles.

butter and garlic create magic when blended, offering a delectable experience that transcends ordinary pasta dishes.

Home cooks appreciate how quickly these noodles come together, making them perfect for busy weeknight dinners.

Minimal effort yields maximum deliciousness, ensuring everyone can master this crowd-pleasing recipe.

The combination promises to elevate your meal from mundane to magnificent.

Garlic Butter Noodles with Rich Savory Flavor

  • Savor Swift Simplicity: This recipe transforms basic ingredients into a delightful meal in under 15 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights or sudden hunger pangs.
  • Embrace Luxurious Comfort: Butter-coated noodles with golden garlic create a rich, indulgent texture that melts in your mouth, delivering restaurant-quality flavor at home.
  • Customize with Ease: The recipe offers flexible options like adding extra herbs, experimenting with different cheeses, or throwing in protein for a more substantial dish, making it adaptable to personal taste preferences.

Ingredients for Garlic Butter Noodles

Base Ingredients:
  • Egg Noodles: Classic pasta choice with great texture and ability to hold sauce well, fresh noodles provide best flavor.
  • Butter: Rich, creamy base that creates smooth sauce and adds deep flavor, unsalted butter recommended for better control of saltiness.
  • Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that provides sharp, bold flavor and essential base for sauce, fresh garlic cloves preferred over pre-minced.
Seasoning Ingredients:
  • Parmesan Cheese: Sharp, salty cheese that adds depth and creates creamy coating for noodles, freshly grated cheese melts more smoothly.
  • Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance overall taste and balance flavors, freshly ground black pepper recommended.
Finishing Ingredients:
  • Parsley: Fresh herb that adds bright color and light herbal note, flat-leaf parsley provides more robust flavor.
  • Pasta Water: Starchy liquid that helps create silky sauce and helps ingredients bind together, reserved from pasta cooking process.

How to Toss Garlic Butter Noodles

Step 1: Prepare Boiling Water

Fill a large pot with water and add a generous pinch of salt. Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat.

Step 2: Cook Egg Noodles

Add egg noodles to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions until they reach al dente texture.

Step 3: Create Garlic Butter Base

In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Follow these ingredients carefully:
  • Unsalted butter
  • Minced fresh garlic

Sauté garlic gently, stirring constantly to prevent burning. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden.

Step 4: Combine Noodles and Sauce

Scoop 2 tablespoons of hot pasta water into the skillet. Drain the cooked noodles and transfer them directly into the garlic butter mixture.

Step 5: Finish and Season

Add these final ingredients:
  • Grated parmesan cheese
  • Chopped fresh parsley

Toss noodles thoroughly until cheese melts and coats every strand. Sprinkle with salt and black pepper to taste.

Step 6: Serve Immediately

Transfer noodles to serving plates and enjoy while hot and creamy. Garnish with extra parsley if desired.

Pro Tips for Garlic Butter Noodles

  • Boost Garlic Flavor: Use fresh garlic cloves and mince them finely for the most intense, aromatic taste.
  • Prevent Garlic Burning: Lower the heat and stir constantly when sautéing garlic to avoid bitter, burnt notes.
  • Create Creamy Texture: Reserve pasta water before draining to help create a silky, luxurious sauce that clings perfectly to noodles.
  • Enhance Cheese Melt: Grate parmesan cheese fresh off the block for smoother melting and richer flavor compared to pre-grated options.
  • Elevate Final Touch: Sprinkle some additional chopped parsley just before serving to add a burst of fresh color and bright herbaceous notes.

Storing and Reheating Garlic Butter Noodles

  • Refrigerate: Store leftover garlic butter noodles in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly to prevent moisture loss and keep fresh for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
  • Reheat Stovetop: Warm noodles in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or extra butter to prevent drying. Stir gently until heated through, about 3-4 minutes.
  • Microwave Option: Place noodles in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle a few drops of water on top, and cover loosely. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to ensure even warming.

Best Pairings for Garlic Butter Noodles

  • Unlock Savory Sips: Pair these buttery garlic noodles with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc that cuts through the richness and complements the garlic's sharp notes.
  • Protein Power Partner: Add grilled chicken or shrimp on top to transform the noodles into a complete meal with extra protein and texture.
  • Herbal Side Adventure: Serve with a light, fresh arugula salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette to balance the noodles' creamy, intense flavor profile.
  • Comfort Crunch Companion: Sprinkle toasted pine nuts or breadcrumbs over the noodles for a delightful crispy contrast to the smooth, buttery sauce.

Creative Variations on Garlic Butter Noodles

  • Spicy Garlic Noodle Kick: Add red pepper flakes or sriracha sauce to the butter while cooking garlic for a zesty, hot flavor profile that elevates the basic recipe.
  • Herb Garden Noodles: Replace parsley with fresh chopped basil, chives, or oregano to introduce a bright, aromatic dimension to the classic garlic butter noodles.
  • Asian-Inspired Garlic Noodles: Mix in soy sauce, sesame oil, and green onions after adding noodles to create a savory, umami-rich version with an international flair.
  • Creamy Cheese Fusion: Stir in cream cheese or mascarpone alongside parmesan to develop a richer, more luxurious sauce that clings perfectly to the noodles.
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Garlic Butter Noodles Recipe

Garlic Butter Noodles Recipe


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4.5 from 18 reviews

  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Italian-inspired garlic butter noodles promise pure comfort with minimal ingredients. Silky strands draped in rich, herbed butter create a simple yet luxurious meal you’ll want to savor slowly.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 8 ounces (226 grams) egg noodles
  • ½ cup (113 grams) butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

Seasoning and Herbs:

  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt to taste
  • Pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare a generously salted water bath in a large pot and immerse the egg noodles, allowing them to dance and soften according to the package’s recommended timing.
  2. As the noodles approach their final moments of cooking, transition to a skillet and gently coax the butter into a luxurious liquid state over medium heat.
  3. Introduce minced garlic to the melted butter, stirring with precision to prevent any unwelcome scorching, creating a fragrant foundation that whispers of culinary comfort.
  4. Rescue a splash of the starchy pasta water and introduce it to the skillet, creating a silky liaison between sauce and noodles.
  5. Drain the noodles, transferring them directly into the awaiting buttery embrace of the skillet.
  6. Sprinkle the parmesan cheese and fresh parsley over the noodles, then tenderly toss everything together, allowing the cheese to melt and coat each strand with a creamy, herbaceous cloak.
  7. Taste and calibrate the seasoning with salt and pepper, ensuring a harmonious flavor profile that tantalizes the palate.
  8. Serve immediately, presenting a steaming dish of golden, garlicky goodness that promises pure gastronomic delight.

Notes

  • Perfectly cook garlic without burning by keeping a close eye and stirring constantly during the sautéing process.
  • Reserve some pasta water before draining, which helps create a silky sauce that clings beautifully to the noodles.
  • Parmesan cheese melts quickly, creating a creamy texture that enhances the overall richness of the dish.
  • Medium heat is crucial for developing garlic’s flavor without scorching, ensuring a mellow and aromatic base.
  • Fresh parsley adds a bright, herbaceous note that cuts through the richness of butter and cheese.
  • Serve immediately to enjoy the noodles at their peak temperature and texture, preventing them from becoming sticky or cold.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Boiling
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 460
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 300 mg
  • Fat: 24 g
  • Saturated Fat: 14 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 52 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 13 g
  • Cholesterol: 60 mg
David Bennett

David Bennett

Founder & Head Recipe Developer

Expertise

Culinary Nutrition​, Recipe Development​, Nutritional Counseling​, Food Science​

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Nutrition
  • Focus: Blending culinary arts with nutritional science to create health-focused cuisine.

Certified Nutrition Specialist® (CNS®)

  • Credential: Advanced certification in personalized nutrition therapy. ​

David Bennett is the lead recipe creator and nutrition expert at HealthyChoices.org, your friendly space for tasty meals that nourish body and mind. 

With a Culinary Nutrition degree from Johnson & Wales University and a Certified Nutrition Specialist® credential, David pairs practical nutrition with delicious cooking, creating recipes you’ll crave daily. 

At Healthy Choices, David shares easy, nutritious dishes and smart cooking tips to make healthy eating something everyone can enjoy, with no complicated diets needed.

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