Simple Steps to Make Buttered Noodles Taste Great! (2024)

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Buttered Noodles are a simple, delicious meal all on their own, but they also make an outstanding foundation for something a bit fancier, like Stroganoff, stews, or Swedish meatballs. Just 2 ingredients!

Recipe ingredients

Ingredient notes

• Noodles: Egg noodles are classic, but substitute the pasta of your choice. Just remember that different noodles require different cooking times, so check the cooking instructions on the package, just to be sure.
• Butter: I like at least ¼ cup butter (½ stick), but you can use more or less to your taste.
• Salt and pepper: Salt is crucial to make the flavor of the butter pop. I pass black pepper at the table so people can add it if they want it.

Step-by-step instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil (I use one tablespoon of salt for every 4 quarts of water). Add the noodles and cook according to your package directions. Drain well.

2. Pour the pasta into a colander set over the kitchen sink to drain. Return the cooked noodles back to the hot pot, and stir in the butter until melted and the noodles are evenly coated. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Recipe tips and variations

• Cheese: A sprinkle of grated Parmesan is great on buttered noodles. Honestly, I love the kind in the green shaker here.
• Herbs and spices: Add a pinch of minced fresh parsley, some red pepper flakes, or some dried Italian seasoning.
• No rinsing: Don’t rinse the noodles while they are in the colander. The heat of the noodles and the pot melts the butter so it coats the noodles, and this prevents them from sticking together.
• Leftovers: Cover and refrigerate extra cooked noodles for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave (cover with plastic wrap or a damp paper towel).
• Chicken Stroganoff: With mushrooms in a creamy gravy, just begging for a bed of egg noodles!