Easy Buttered Egg Noodles with Parmesan is a classic egg noodle side dish recipe known for 10-minute prep, buttery comfort flavor, and weeknight convenience. Thin egg noodles are boiled, then tossed with butter and a splash of pasta water to create a silky coating before finishing with optional Parmesan and parsley.
If you like comfort dishes, try our Creamy Beef Stroganoff Without Mushrooms or our Garlic Mushroom Pasta.
Buttered Egg Noodles Recipe at a Glance 🔎
- 🕒 Prep Time: 5 minutes
- ⏱️ Cook Time: 7 minutes
- 👥 Servings: 4
- 🔥 Cook Method: Stovetop
- 🍽️ Cuisine: American Comfort Food
- 👩🍳 Pair With: Southern Meatloaf, Stuffed Italian Sausage Casserole, roasted chicken, beef stroganoff, grilled vegetables
- ⭐ Difficulty Level: Easy
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A splash of pasta water and good butter is the chef's trick that turns simple egg noodles into a silky, restaurant-style side dish. ~Jami
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Why We Love This Recipe
- Fast Weeknight Cooking: This recipe comes together in about 10 minutes, making it one of the easiest side dishes for busy evenings.
- Comforting Buttery Flavor: Butter and egg noodles create a simple yet satisfying flavor that pairs well with almost any main dish.
- Flexible And Customizable: Parmesan, herbs, or garlic can be added depending on the meal you're serving.
- Family Friendly Side: Even picky eaters love buttery noodles, making this recipe perfect for family dinners.
Key Ingredients
Here's everything you'll need to make these classic buttered egg noodles:
- Thin Egg Noodles: These cook quickly and hold butter beautifully. Thin noodles work especially well for quick side dishes.
- Unsalted Butter: The main flavor base of the dish. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the seasoning.
- Salt: Essential for seasoning the pasta water and enhancing the flavor of the noodles.
- Black Pepper: Adds gentle warmth and balances the richness of the butter.
- Parmesan Cheese: Optional but highly recommended for a savory finish.
- Fresh Parsley: A simple garnish that adds freshness and color.
A full ingredient list with exact measurements can be found in the recipe card below.
Substitutions & Variations
- Butter: Olive oil or browned butter can be used for a different flavor profile.
- Parmesan Cheese: Pecorino Romano works well if you prefer a sharper cheese flavor.
- Egg Noodles: Wide egg noodles or even spaghetti can substitute if thin egg noodles are unavailable.
- Diet: Use gluten-free egg noodles or gluten-free pasta.
- Flavor: Add a minced garlic clove to the melted butter to make garlic butter.
- Kid-Friendly: Skip herbs and keep the recipe simple with butter and Parmesan.
How To Make Buttered Egg Noodles
STEP ONE: Prepare The Noodles
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the egg noodles according to package directions until tender.
Before draining the noodles, reserve about ¼ cup of the pasta water. This step helps create a silky butter sauce.
STEP TWO: Prepare The Butter Base
Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat until lightly foamy.
STEP THREE: Toss
Add the drained noodles to the skillet along with 2 to 3 tablespoons of reserved pasta water. Toss until glossy, adding more pasta water if needed.
STEP FOUR: Season, Garnish, and Serve
Season with salt and pepper. Add Parmesan cheese if desired. Toss again until silky.
Garnish with fresh parsley (optional) and serve warm.
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Expert Tips for Success
👩🍳Jami's Pro Tips: Want to take this recipe to the next level? Check out my expert tips below for the best flavor, texture, and meal prep hacks!
✔️ DO Salt the pasta water generously so the noodles are seasoned from the inside.
✔️ DO Use pasta water to emulsify the butter so it coats the noodles instead of pooling in the pan.
✔️ DO Add freshly grated Parmesan off the heat to prevent clumping.
❌ DO NOT Overcook the noodles, or they will become mushy.
Storage
Leftover buttered egg noodles can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat gently in a skillet with a small pat of butter or a splash of water to restore the texture.
Buttered Egg Noodles Recipe FAQs
Cook egg noodles in salted water until tender, then toss them with melted butter and seasoning. Many recipes add Parmesan cheese or herbs for extra flavor.
Popular toppings include grated Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, black pepper, garlic butter, or even sautéed mushrooms.
They pair well with roasted chicken, beef stroganoff, meatloaf, grilled vegetables, or baked casseroles.
Did You Try This Recipe?
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📖 Recipe
Easy Buttered Egg Noodles with Parmesan
Equipment
- Large Pot
- Skillet
- Tongs or wooden spoon
Ingredients
- 8 ounces thin egg noodles
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt plus more for the cooking water
- pinch of black pepper
- 3 tablespoons reserved pasta water plus more if needed
- 2 to 3 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- 2 teaspoons fresh parsley (optional) finely chopped
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Add the egg noodles and cook according to package directions, about 4-6 minutes, until tender. Before draining, reserve about ¼ cup of pasta cooking water.
- Place a skillet over medium heat and melt the butter until fully melted and lightly foamy.
- Add the drained noodles to the skillet with the butter. Pour in 2 to 3 tablespoons of the reserved pasta water and gently toss until the noodles become glossy and evenly coated. Add more pasta water if needed.
- Season with salt and black pepper. Toss again to distribute the seasoning. If using Parmesan, sprinkle it over the hot noodles and toss lightly so it melts into the butter. Garnish with parsley if desired and serve immediately.
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Notes
- Use salted boiling water to flavor the noodles while cooking.
- Toss noodles with butter and pasta water for a glossy finish.
- Add freshly grated Parmesan after removing the pan from the heat.
- Let the noodles rest for a minute before serving so the butter settles.
Jami Powell says
This is our favorite easy pasta side dish!