Buttered Noodles are a simple yet comforting dish that proves how a few basic ingredients can create something truly satisfying. This classic recipe is loved for its ease, mild flavor, and versatility, making it a go-to option for quick meals, side dishes, or even a light main course.
The foundation of buttered noodles is perfectly cooked pasta. Whether you choose spaghetti, egg noodles, or fettuccine, the key is to cook the pasta until tender while maintaining a slight bite. Once drained, the noodles are immediately tossed with butter, allowing it to melt and coat each strand evenly, creating a smooth and silky texture.
Butter is the star ingredient, providing richness and depth without overwhelming the dish. As it melts into the warm noodles, it creates a glossy finish and a delicate flavor that pairs well with a variety of additions. A pinch of salt and a sprinkle of black pepper are often enough to enhance the natural taste, though some variations include grated parmesan cheese for an extra layer of savory richness.
One of the best aspects of buttered noodles is their adaptability. They can be served as a simple side alongside roasted meats, like lemon herb roasted chicken or vegetables, or enjoyed on their own when you need something quick and comforting. For a slightly elevated version, fresh herbs like parsley can be added, or a squeeze of lemon juice can bring a subtle brightness to the dish.
Preparation is incredibly fast, making it perfect for busy days or last-minute meals. With minimal effort, you can have a warm and satisfying plate ready in just minutes. This simplicity also makes it a great option for beginner cooks or anyone looking for a reliable and fuss-free recipe.
Buttered Noodles are a timeless favorite that never goes out of style. Their creamy texture, gentle flavor, and quick preparation make them a staple in many kitchens. Whether served as a comforting meal or a versatile side, this dish offers a delicious reminder that simple food can be incredibly enjoyable.
Ingredients
- 100 grams noodles Any type of noodles, such as egg noodles or spaghetti
- 2 tablespoons butter Use unsalted butter for better control of saltiness
- to taste salt Adjust according to preference
- optional black pepper Freshly ground, for taste
- optional tablespoons grated cheese Parmesan is recommended
Instructions
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add the noodles and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
- Drain the noodles and return them to the pot.
- Add the butter to the hot noodles and stir until the butter is melted and noodles are well-coated.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately with grated cheese on top if desired.
Nutrition
Noodles not cooked fully, they was soggy. Didn’t like it at all.
Maybe you cooked them too long? They should be al dente, not soggy!
This tastes good but I had to add a lot more pepper than it says. Also my noodles were overcooked… still ate it tho lol.
I don’t get what the fuss is about. It’s just noodles with butter? Boring!
The salt in the water + salt at the end feels like double dosing. I’d start with less salt to begin with.
This is the easiest “I need food now” meal. I added a spoon of parmesan and it instantly felt fancier than it is.
Totally agree—this is my go-to when I’m starving but can’t be bothered. I always add parmesan too and it feels way more “planned” than it is.
This was super easy to make! I loved how buttery the noodles turned out. Will definitely make again!
Simple and delicious! My kids loved it, especially with the cheese on top!
5 stars! Just perfect with some grated parmesan on top! 🤤
Yum! I added garlic and it made it soooo much better! Can’t believe how quick it was. 10/10!
I don’t get why people even bother with this recipe. It’s just noodles and butter.
I dunno, man. Noodles and butter r easy and quick. What’s the big deal?
But it’s so simple and comforting! Sometimes less is more. ❤️
Cooked the noodles a minute less than the box (al dente like you said). Butter melted fast and stuck well. Nice tip!
Why not just make mac and cheese? This is just plain!
Okay but do you really need to salt the water “to taste” if you’re already adding salt later? Confusing wording.
I get what you mean, but salting “to taste” is kinda shorthand. You’re trying to season the noodles while they cook; it affects the final flavor even if you also add more later.
Wait, it says salt in the boiling water—do I also add salt later? I added both and it was a bit too salty tbh.
Yep—salt only goes in the boiling water. Step 5 is just to fine-tune after, but if it was already salted well (or you added more later), it can get too salty fast.
I think the recipe is basically like: salt in the water for flavor, then taste at the end. If yours was too salty, next time either go lighter in the pot or skip the extra salt step 5 entirely.
This is basically just what my grandma made when we didn’t have much money. Brings back memories.
So easy and yummy! My kids loved it!
Not gonna lie, I was skeptical because it’s so basic… but it’s actually really good. Would’ve liked garlic or something, though.
Noodles + butter = happiness. I added Parmesan and it was restaurant-y, like way better than my usual microwave stuff.
Yum! My kids loved it, especially with the cheese. Will make again for sure!
Worked pretty well, but I think the “to taste” salt should be more specific. I accidentally oversalted the water and had to balance with more butter.
Do you really need to boil the water? My gram always just threw em in the pan.
Boiling the water is super important! It helps the noodles cook evenly. Your gram might’ve been in a hurry, but following the recipe works better!
My mom never boiled water too, just toss in and cook. Seems fine to me! 🤷♂️
I tried this and accidentally used too much salt. Yikes! Will try again but less salt this time.
didn’t have cheese but its still good. noodles is noodles
Super easy and quick meal! Perfect for busy nights when you don’t wanna cook too much.
I didn’t have Parmesan so I used cheddar and it worked… kinda. Next time I’ll do the real thing though.
Wait Parmesan “recommended” and now cheddar “worked… kinda”? Lol I feel like you gotta use whatever cheese you got. Maybe add extra butter so it coats better?
Nice! Cheddar can melt up great, but Parmesan is a little drier/saltier so the vibe changes. Next time try a mix—cheddar for creaminess + a little something salty if you have it.
Noodle lovers, unite! This is like a warm hug on a plate. 🥰
Simple and comforting. I used egg noodles and it came together fast—but I needed a little extra pepper. Definitely making again.
Really bland. I don’t see how just butter and noodles are a meal. Needs more flavor!
I made this for dinner, but my husband said it was too plain. He likes spicy food.
Maybe add some chili flakes next time! It’ll spice it up right away. 😊
This is kinda boring.. where’s the flavor? Needs garlic or something.
Tried it with egg noodles—came out nice and tender. The only thing: I think “salted water” is key, otherwise it feels kinda bland.
Totally agree—salted water makes a huge difference. I used plain water once and it tasted kinda flat until I added more salt at the end.
I followed the recipe but it turned out way too salty. Be careful with the salt!
It’s really comforting! Perfect for a lazy evening. Just like the one my mom used to make!
This sounds delicious! I love buttered noodles, they remind me of my childhood too.
Easy to make! I added some garlic and it turned out great!
Adding garlic is a great idea! I should try that next time.
Simple. Tasty. Done. 😄
Perfect side dish for fried chicken! Will make again.
I made this for dinner. Honestly, kinda bland without the cheese.
Not gonna lie, I expected more effort for flavor. It’s okay, but kinda bland without cheese. Would add garlic or a splash of pasta water next time.
Totally get it—this recipe’s pretty minimal. I’m usually team cheese too, but garlic would definitely help. Also the pasta water trick sounds smart.
Classic comfort food—simple but it really works. The butter coats the noodles so well, and finishing with Parmesan is a must. 10/10 quick meal.
How can this be a recipe? Just boil noodles and throw some butter on it. LOL.
Butter? Really? That’s it? I think it needs at least some sauce or something.
This recipe is super simple, but so good! I added garlic powder and it was a hit.
Butter + noodles? Bold. I mean it’s okay, but it feels like it needs garlic or something. Without it, it’s kinda plain.
Noodles + Butter = Life. <3
Dissapointing! I thought there’d be more to it. It’s super basic.
I get what you’re saying, but sometimes simple is best! The butter really gives it a nice flavor!
Umm… is 2 tablespoons butter for 100g noodles too much? It tasted greasy for me. Maybe my butter was salty too—use less next time.
Buttered noodles are life! My grandma used to make these for me as a kid.
My noodles stuck a little when I drained them, so I had to loosen with a touch of hot water. Otherwise good—would make again.
Hmm “buttered noodles” seems simple but mine always stick too. Maybe I’m draining too hard? I usually rinse (I know, probably not). Would adding oil to the water prevent sticking or does that mess up the flavor?
Glad they turned out! I always toss them in the pot with the heat on for a minute after draining so they don’t stick up. Also helps if you don’t overcook—al dente is key.
I followed the instructions exactly and it still tasted kinda bland for me. Maybe I didn’t grind enough pepper or my cheese was weak.
I followed it pretty much exactly—except I forgot to add the cheese until later, still came out good. Next time I’ll drain more thoroughly so it’s less buttery.
Maybe I did somethin wrong, cuz my noodles got sticky and the butter didn’t fully coat. Still edible, just not as nice.
So simple but it actually tastes cozy. I used a little extra pepper and it was perfect for a quick dinner. 10/10 repeat.
Easy and fast. Kids ate it. But salt to taste is kinda vague—i used too much and it was saltyyyyy lol.
Made this tonight and it came out great. The butter coating step is key—stirring while they’re still hot really helps.
It’s good, but I think 2 tablespoons butter might be a lot for only 100g noodles unless you really like buttery stuff.
I get what you mean—2 tbsp is pretty buttery for just 100g noodles. I usually do 1 tbsp first, then add a little more only if they look dry. Still delicious though!
This is basically my childhood dinner lol. I don’t even measure—just toss butter, pepper, and whatever cheese I have. Simple perfection.
This is basically my childhood comfort food. The salted water step makes a difference. I’d just say don’t overcook—al dente is key.
Meh. Plain. Needed garlic or something.
Totally fair. It’s more “buttery base” than flavorful—next time I add minced garlic (or garlic powder) right after the butter melts. Makes it way less plain.
Idk I kinda like it simple. Like noodles but rich from butter. If you want more, just add pepper and parm… garlic too? Sounds good but not needed for me.
Kinda mid for me. Butter flavor is there, but it felt too plain without the cheese. Maybe I just don’t like plain pasta.
Super simple and honestly so comforting. I used egg noodles and a little extra pepper—perfect quick side dish.
Not gonna lie, this is pretty basic. I added garlic powder and it was way better, but as written it’s kind of… meh.
“Al dente” is the only part I mess up sometimes 😅 still tasty though, even when I undercook a bit.
The butter coating step is key. I love that there are no complicated ingredients—just noodles, butter, and seasoning.
Not gonna lie, I didn’t notice much “wow” flavor. Maybe my noodles were bland and I didn’t salt enough. Still edible though.
Five stars for being easy, but I’m not convinced about the cheese step. Parmesan was fine, yet I thought butter alone was better. Personal preference I guess.
I hate boiling water “to taste” anything lol. But I actually liked how customizable it is—black pepper + butter = winner.
Pretty good, but I think salting the water is already enough—when I added more salt at the end it got a bit too salty. Next time I’ll go lighter.
I followed it pretty much exactly. Needed a touch more salt after adding cheese, but overall really good and quick.
I followed it exactly and it turned out great. I used egg noodles and added a little extra pepper. Super fast on a weeknight.
I followed it exactly but mine got clumpy after draining. Maybe I left them too long? Next time I’ll rinse with hot water like my grandma says (unless that ruins it).