These garlic butter noodles are a classic, comforting side dish both kids and adults love. Tender egg noodles are tossed with butter, garlic, and Parmesan for an easy recipe that’s ready in 20 minutes.

Garlic butter noodles in a skillet.

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Buttered Noodles

These garlic butter noodles are a family-friendly recipe that never goes out of style. With just a handful of ingredients, you can whip up a cozy, flavorful dish that’s perfect on it’s own or pairs well with just about anything!

If you love simple comfort food like white sauce pasta or penne pasta, these buttered noodles with butter, parmesan and garlic will be a new favorite that you make again and agian!

Ingredients Notes

Butter noodles ingredients including noodles, Parmesan, butter, garlic, lemon and parsley.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

  • Egg noodles: Wide egg noodles are classic for this dish. We used the Country Pasta brand from Kroger, which has a sturdy texture and rich flavor, but any wide egg noodle or other noodle of choice will work including homemade egg noodles.
  • Butter: Salted butter adds richness and depth. If using unsalted, you may want to add a pinch more salt to taste.
  • Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is key here. It infuses the buttered noodles sauce with lots of savory flavor.
  • Parmesan: Use freshly grated parmesan (for a shortcut you can go to your deli for freshly grated parmesan -just avoid stuff in the can) for the smoothest melt and best flavor.
  • Lemon juice: Adds a bright, fresh contrast to the richness of the butter and cheese.
  • Fresh parsley: Totally optional, but a sprinkle at the end adds color and a pop of herby freshness.

How to Make Garlic Butter Noodles

Start by cooking the egg noodles in salted water until tender. Just before draining, scoop out a cup of the pasta water to use in the sauce.

Mlt the butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add minced garlic and cook for a minute. Stir in some of the reserved pasta water along with a splash of lemon juice, then season with salt and pepper.

Boiling noodles in a pot.
Cooking butter in a skillet.

Add the drained noodles right into the skillet and toss everything together. Sprinkle in the Parmesan and stir until it melts into a glossy sauce, add more reserved pasta water as needed.

Garnish with fresh parsley then serve the garlic butter noodles while warm.

Garlic butter noodles with Parmesan and parsley in a skillet.

Recipe Tips

  • Salt your pasta water: This is your chance to season the noodles themselves, so be generous. The water should taste like the sea!
  • Don’t overcook the garlic: Let it gently sizzle just until fragrant. If it browns too much, it can turn bitter.
  • Use pasta water to bring it all together: That starchy water helps the butter and cheese cling to the noodles and creates a smooth, silky sauce.
  • Grate the cheese fresh: Pre-shredded Parmesan or Parmesan from a shaker doesn’t melt as nicely. For best results, grate it yourself.
  • Pasta making tips: New to making pasta? Check out my guide to cooking pasta perfectly for more helpful tips.

More easy pasta recipes include pasta primavera or chicken bacon ranch pasta!

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Garlic butter noodles in a skillet.

Garlic Butter Noodles

5 from 1 vote
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 7
These classic buttered noodles are rich, garlicky, and tossed with fresh Parmesan for the perfect cozy bite. Ready in just 20 minutes, they are an easy side dish or weeknight dinner!
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Ingredients 

  • 12 ounces wide egg noodles , we used the Country Pasta brand from Kroger
  • ½ cup salted butter
  • 6 cloves garlic , minced
  • 1 cup pasta water , reserved from cooking noodles
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • ¾ cup grated parmesan cheese
  • ½ teaspoon salt , plus more to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper , plus more to taste
  • 2 Tablespoons fresh parsley , chopped (optional)

Instructions

  • Cook pasta: Cook pasta according to package ingredients.
  • Make butter sauce: Meanwhile, in a large skillet, melt 1/2 cup butter on medium low heat. Add 6-7 cloves of minced garlic (about 1 Tablespoon) and cook for about 1 minute. Remove from heat until the noodles are just about cooked. Add 1 cup of water from the noodle water, juice of 1 lemon and season with salt and pepper. Add 1/4 cup more paster water if you want a thinner sauce.
  • Add noodles and cheese: Add noodles to the butter sauce and stir well. Sprinkle 3/4 cup cheese and stir. Add parsley, if desired.

Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

Notes

Drain the pasta, but don’t rinse it. The starch from the salted cooking water helps the garlic butter sauce stick to the noodles and adds extra flavor.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce if needed. This dish is best fresh, so freezing is not recommended.

Nutrition

Calories: 352kcal, Carbohydrates: 37g, Protein: 10g, Fat: 18g, Saturated Fat: 11g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 85mg, Sodium: 471mg, Potassium: 160mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 625IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 123mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.