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Few dishes are as simple and comforting as a big bowl of buttered noodles—but this version takes that classic side and makes it even better. These buttered egg noodles are cooked in flavorful broth, then tossed with melted butter, Parmesan, and a splash of that starchy cooking liquid for a silky, creamy finish.
It’s the kind of quick, fuss-free side dish that comes together in minutes but tastes like pure comfort food. And if you’ve ever wondered what to serve with buttered noodles, you’ll find they pair perfectly with everything from hearty beef dishes to roast chicken and cozy casseroles.
💛 If you’re wondering what to serve with buttered noodles, try pairing them with comforting mains like Hamburger Gravy, Beef Stroganoff, Crockpot Pork Tenderloin, or Million Dollar Chicken—each one turns this simple side into a complete, satisfying meal.
✨ Before You Begin
✨ Use Wide Egg Noodles: They soak up the buttery sauce best.
✨ Don’t Skip the Broth: It seasons the noodles while they cook.
✨ Reserve Pasta Water: Just a splash makes the sauce perfectly creamy.
✨ Taste Before Salting: Both bouillon and Parmesan are already salty.
Why This Recipe Works
Quick + Easy: Just a handful of ingredients and about 25 minutes stand between you and a warm, comforting side dish.
Big on Flavor: Cooking the noodles in broth gives them a savory boost right from the start.
Creamy Comfort: The reserved broth blends with butter and Parmesan to create a silky, lightly creamy sauce that coats every noodle.
Versatile Side: Easy enough for busy weeknights, but cozy and satisfying enough to serve with all kinds of comfort food favorites.
Buttered Noodles Ingredients + Key Notes
Egg Noodles: Wide egg noodles are classic for this dish because they hold the buttery sauce so well.
Better Than Bouillon: Cooking noodles in broth paste instead of plain water infuses flavor right from the start. Chicken is traditional, but vegetable works too.
Butter: Use real butter (not margarine) for the rich, silky sauce.
Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated melts best and adds a salty, nutty finish.
Fresh Parsley: A little sprinkle at the end brightens up the whole dish.
🥣 How To Make Buttered Noodles
Cook the noodles in broth: Fill a large pot with about 3 quarts of water, then stir in the Better Than Bouillon and bring to a rolling boil. Add the egg noodles and cook according to package directions until just al dente. This step builds flavor right into the noodles instead of relying on salt alone.
Reserve broth and drain: Just before draining, carefully scoop out about ½ cup of the cooking broth and set it aside. Drain the noodles well, then transfer them to a large serving bowl while they’re still hot.
Add butter, cheese, and broth: Add the butter, Parmesan, and about half of the reserved hot broth to the noodles. Toss everything together vigorously—the heat from the noodles and broth will melt the butter and cheese, creating a smooth, silky coating.
Emulsify the sauce: Continue tossing until the butter is fully melted and the noodles are evenly coated. Add more of the reserved broth a little at a time as needed to loosen the sauce and make it creamy and glossy.
Season and serve: Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed, keeping in mind the bouillon and Parmesan already add salt. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve warm, with extra Parmesan on top if you like.
⭐ Pro Tips
⭐ Use broth, not plain water: This is the easiest way to build flavor into the noodles from the very beginning.
⭐ Reserve some of the cooking broth: A splash or two helps loosen the noodles and turns the butter and Parmesan into a silky, glossy sauce.
⭐ Toss while everything is hot: The heat from the noodles is what melts the butter and cheese smoothly.
⭐ Taste before adding salt: Better Than Bouillon and Parmesan both add salt, so it’s best to season at the very end.
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping the reserved broth: This is what helps create that smooth, lightly creamy finish instead of dry noodles.
- Overcooking the noodles: Wide egg noodles go from tender to too soft pretty quickly, so start checking early.
- Adding too much salt too soon: The bouillon and Parmesan already bring plenty of seasoning.
- Letting the noodles sit too long before tossing: Butter and cheese coat the noodles best while everything is still piping hot.
Variations & Substitutions
- Garlic Parmesan Noodles: Add 1–2 cloves of minced garlic (or ¼ teaspoon garlic powder) along with the butter and cheese.
- A Little Heat: Sprinkle in red pepper flakes for a gentle kick.
- Herb Lovers: Swap or add fresh herbs like chives or dill along with the parsley for a bright, herby twist.
🍽️ What to Serve With Buttered Egg Noodles
These buttered egg noodles are the ultimate cozy side dish—simple, buttery, and perfect for soaking up rich sauces. If you’re wondering what to serve with buttered noodles, think hearty mains with plenty of flavor and a little sauce to tie everything together.
Hearty Beef Favorites
For a classic comfort food plate, pair these noodles with rich, savory beef dishes:
- German Goulash — deeply flavorful and perfect for soaking into buttery noodles
- Swiss Steak — tender beef in a rich, savory tomato-based sauce
- Beef Stew — cozy, slow-cooked comfort that pairs beautifully with a simple side
Creamy and Saucy Classics
These buttery noodles shine when paired with creamy, spoonable dishes:
- Cream of Mushroom Chicken — creamy, savory, and perfect for spooning right over buttery noodles
- Chicken à la King — rich, creamy, and practically made for serving over noodles
- Chicken Paprikash — deeply flavorful with a paprika-rich sauce that’s perfect over egg noodles
Easy Weeknight Favorites
These easy weeknight mains are simple, flavorful, and perfect for pairing with buttery noodles when you need a cozy dinner without a lot of fuss.
- Crock Pot Pork Chops with Mushroom Gravy — tender, saucy, and perfect with a buttery side
- Honey Garlic Chicken — sweet, savory, and sticky in all the right ways
- Honey Glazed Salmon — a lighter option that still feels special
Storing + Reheating + Freezing, + Make-Ahead
Storing
- Keep leftover buttered egg noodles with Parmesan in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating
- Reheat noodles in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of water and a small pat of butter to help bring the sauce back to life. Stir gently until warmed through. You can also microwave them in 30-second intervals, stirring in between.
Freezing
- This dish isn’t ideal for freezing—the noodles tend to lose their texture and become mushy once thawed. Make this dish fresh!
Make-Ahead
- Buttered egg noodles are best made fresh. If you’d like to save time, measure and prep the ingredients ahead so everything is ready to toss together in minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
◆ Can I use a different pasta? Yes! While wide egg noodles give the best texture, you can swap in fettuccine, rotini, or even spaghetti. Just adjust the cooking time.
◆ Can I make this ahead? This dish is best served right away while the noodles are hot and silky. If you need to reheat, add a splash of broth or water to loosen the sauce.
◆ Can I skip the Parmesan? You can, but it adds wonderful flavor and creaminess. If needed, try another hard cheese like Romano or Asiago.
Still have questions? Drop them in the comments — I’m always happy to help you cook with confidence! 💗
More Cozy Side Dishes to Try
If you love simple, comforting sides like these buttered noodles, here are a few more cozy favorites to round out your table:
If you’re building a full comfort food dinner, be sure to browse my Casserole Recipes collection for even more easy, family-friendly meals.
I’d love to hear what you think! 💛 Please leave a comment and a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating—it helps more home cooks (and our GWS community!) find and fall in love with these noodles.
Don’t forget to snap a photo and tag me on Instagram @gonna_want_seconds—I can’t wait to see your plate! And while you’re here, make sure to subscribe to my free, no-strings-attached email list so you never miss a new recipe.
Thanks for stopping by my kitchen today — happy cooking, friends! Kathleen 💗
Buttered Egg Noodles
Ingredients
- 1 (12-ounce) package wide egg noodles
- 1 tablespoon chicken or vegetable flavored Better Than Bouillon paste
- 6 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese plus more for serving
- salt and pepper to taste
- fresh parsley chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with about 3 quarts of water. Add the bouillon paste and bring to a rolling boil over high heat.
- Add the egg noodles (12-ounce) to the boiling broth and cook according to package directions, typically 7-10 minutes, until al dente.
- Just before draining, carefully reserve about 1/2 cup of the broth.
- Drain the noodles and transfer them to a large serving bowl.
- To the hot noodles, add the butter (6 tablespoons), Parmesan cheese (1/4 cup), and about half of the reserved hot broth.
- Toss everything together vigorously. The residual heat from the noodles and broth will melt the butter and cheese, creating a smooth, emulsified sauce that coats the pasta.
- Continue tossing until the butter is fully melted and the sauce is creamy. If it’s too thick, add more broth.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remember to taste before adding salt, as the bouillon and Parmesan are already salty. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Fans Also Made:
Notes
- Use Wide Egg Noodles: They soak up the buttery sauce best.
- Don’t Skip the Broth: It seasons the noodles while they cook.
- Reserve Pasta Water: Just a splash makes the sauce perfectly creamy.
- Taste Before Salting: Both bouillon and Parmesan are already salty.
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