Serve these simple noodles with my Slow Cooker Swedish Meatballs, Best Homemade Spaghetti Sauce or Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin for a complete meal! You’ve probably had some version of butter noodles at some point in your life. You know, pasta with a “sauce” made of melted butter and maybe a sprinkle of salt? Well, these Buttered Noodles are basically just that…with a couple of extra ingredients. But don’t worry, this recipe is still just as simple. A 20-minute, one-pot dinner up of pappardelle pasta, reserved pasta water, parmesan, butter, black pepper, and a sprinkle of fresh parsley! Who knew something so simple could be this decadent? Looking for more one-pot pasta recipes? Check out my one-pot sausage, tomato, and pesto pasta, my one-pot chicken fajita pasta, or my one-pot BBQ chicken and bacon pasta!
Ingredients needed for Buttered Noodles:
While these buttered noodles aren’t quite just butter and noodles, but they’re just about as simple. Here’s what you’ll need:
Pasta: I like to use pappardelle pasta, but really any pasta shape will work. Butter: I tend to use salted butter but if you prefer to have a little bit more control over the saltiness of your pasta, feel free to use unsalted and add salt to taste before serving. Pasta Water: you’ll reserve some of the pasta water to mix with the buttery sauce. The starchy water creates a deliciously creamy texture. Parmesan Cheese: I recommend grating your own parmesan for the best texture. Pre-grated cheeses can become gritty when melted. Parsley: mixing in a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley adds freshness and a pop of color to this simple pasta dish. Freshly Cracked Black Pepper: pepper adds a kick of heat which cuts the richness of the butter sauce perfectly.
How to make Buttered Noodles
This easy pasta dinner could not be simpler to make! Just 20 minutes and it’s ready to go!
Tips and tricks
Save the pasta water! Make sure you reserve 1 cup of the pasta water when you drain it. You may not need the full cup, but you’ll use some of it for the butter sauce. Drain but don’t rinse the pasta. Rinsing the pasta will rid it of any excess starch. The starch is what helps the buttery sauce stick to the noodles. Use high quality butter. Butter is the MVP of the sauce. Use the good stuff! Grate your own cheese. Pre-grated cheeses contain an anti-caking agent that can cause a gritty or grainy texture when melted. I always recommend grating your own cheese for the best results, but it’s especially important in a recipe this simple!
Variations
Make garlic butter noodles: Add fresh garlic by removing the pasta from the pan and sautéing minced garlic in a little bit of butter. Once the garlic is cooked, add everything else! Another option is to swap the regular butter out for some of my garlic butter. Use another pasta: I love the texture of pappardelle noodles with the butter sauce, but feel free to use whatever pasta shape your heart desires. Anything goes! Spice it up: Give your pasta a kick of heat with red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper. Add meat: Cooked shredded chicken or bacon bits would be great in this. Add veggies: Feel free to add in whatever veggies you like! Try broccoli, peas, carrots, mushrooms, peppers, kale, spinach, you name it. If you do add veggies, remove the pasta from the pan and cook them in oil or butter before adding the rest of the ingredients.
Serving suggestions
These Buttered Noodles make a delicious vegetarian entree served with a side of roasted green beans, garlic bread, or roasted vegetables. They also work great as a side dish with your favorite protein! Try grilled chicken thighs, Swedish meatballs, air fryer pork chops, or air fryer salmon.
More creamy pasta recipes
Garlic Parmesan Orzo recipe
Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo Pasta
Chicken Pesto Pasta
One Pot Pasta Primavera Recipe + VIDEO
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