How to make buttered noodles

Need a simple dinner side dish? Buttered noodles are the answer. Top them with cheese, garlic, fresh herbs or just indulge in the simplicity of a little butter and salt. They go with just about everything!

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Side dishes feel like a pain sometimes, don’t they? There often isn’t time to make a single main dish, let alone all of the accompaniments to go along with it. I understand that.

But buttered noodles are one of those things you can keep in your back pocket of super fast side dishes to round out just about any meal–and the great part is how versatile they can be.

What recipes are egg noodles good for

Egg noodles are incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes to take them from good to outstanding. Here are some examples.

• Stroganoff. These tender noodles act as a perfect vehicle for soaking up the flavors of the savory sauce in Stroganoff dishes. See for yourself with this Beef Stroganoff.
• Stews. Egg noodles provide extra substance to stews and do a great job of soaking up the flavorful broth. Try this Dutch Oven Beef Stew.
• Soups. Just as they do in stews, these noodles absorb the flavors of the broth beautifully without getting too mushy. I love them in this Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup. 
• Swedish meatballs. Egg noodles serve as a traditional bed for delicious Swedish Meatballs. The combination of tender meatballs, creamy sauce, and buttered noodles is just to die for.

What’s the best method for cooking egg noodles?

There are a few ways to skin the cat here. They all work equally well it just depends on what you’re using the noodles for. Here are your options. 

• Boil in salted water. Boil the noodles in salted water until they are al dente, drain, and rinse. This is a great way to go if you are adding the noodles to a soup or stew. 
• Chicken broth. You could also cook the egg noodles in chicken broth (opt for store-bought or homemade over bouillon) instead of water. This method infuses the noodles with the flavor of the broth. Pay close attention to the measurements so as not to waste broth. 
• Drain but don’t rinse. You can opt out of rinsing your noodles after you drain them. The heat on the noodles will help melt the butter. The residual starches will then mix with the butter to create a rich, creamy sauce. 

How are egg noodles different from regular pasta?

So why choose egg noodles over pasta? The eggs used in the dough for egg noodles give them a richer, more tender texture than regular pasta. It makes for a luxurious bite with the perfect chew. 

Egg noodles also do a much better job than regular pasta at absorbing the flavors of sauces, seasonings, broths, etc. In a similar vein, the wide shape of egg noodles allows them to hold sauces really nicely, making for incredibly flavorful mouthfuls. 

Optional ingredients to boost the flavor

Buttered egg noodles are quite neutral in flavor and thus lend themselves beautifully to personalized additions. Here are a few I’ve been loving lately. 

• Parmesan cheese. Finely grate the parmesan, drain the pasta (don’t rinse), add the butter and the parmesan, and watch how the cheese melts into a creamy sauce.  
• Garlic. Sauté minced or whole garlic cloves in butter or olive oil and toss them into the pasta with the butter. Garlic powder would make for a fine substitute. 
• Fresh herbs. Stir some fresh herbs in with the butter to infuse some subtle flavor into the sauce. Thyme and/or rosemary would work beautifully but feel free to pick your favorite. 
• Spice. Toss some ground black pepper or red pepper flakes in with the butter to bring a little heat to these simple egg noodles. 

Try these recipes for parmesan buttered, buttered noodles with brats, or maybe my favorite–browned butter noodles. Goodness gracious.

Can noodles be refrigerated and reheated?

Yes! These noodles make for great leftovers. Make sure to add the butter before storing them otherwise they will stick together. Allow the noodles to cool completely before sealing them in an airtight container and storing them in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. 

Skillet: To reheat the noodles, just melt a little butter in a pan over medium-low heat, add the noodles, and sauté until heated through.

Microwave: I find that they reheat pretty well in the microwave. You wouldn’t want to try to make them way in advance and keep them warm for hours and hours–they are so fast to make, I’d honestly recommend just whipping them up right before you eat if you can.

What to serve with buttered egg noodles

Buttered egg noodles are extremely mild in flavor making them an excellent pairing for plenty of sides and mains. Here are some of my favorites. 

• Salads. I have been loving this Charred Caesar Salad and my Wilted Lettuce Salad. Looking for a little extra substance? Try my Flank Steak Salad with Blue Cheese. 
• Steamed vegetables. I love carrots, broccoli, and cauliflower but any steamed veggie will do. 
• Salmon patties
• Meatloaf