Easy Classic Buttered Noodles
Classic buttered noodles made the right way with just pasta, butter, and optional Parmesan. This simple, comforting recipe focuses on the small details—well-salted water, no rinsing, and a splash of pasta water—for glossy, flavorful noodles that are ready in about 15 minutes.
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 459kcal
Ingredients
- 1 lb Egg Noodles
- 8 TB Unsalted Butter
- ½ cup Grated Parmesan (optional)
- Kosher salt (to taste)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil and cook the noodles until al dente. Reserve about ½ cup of the pasta water, then drain the noodles. Do not rinse.
- Melt the butter gently in a large skillet over low heat.
- Add the drained noodles to the skillet and toss to coat, adding a splash of pasta water as needed until the noodles are glossy and evenly coated. Finish with Parmesan, if using, and season with salt to taste. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Salt the pasta water well. This is where most of the flavor comes from, your noodles should taste seasoned before the butter is added.
- Do not rinse the noodles. Rinsing removes the starch that helps the butter cling to the pasta.
- Save some pasta water. A splash helps emulsify the butter and coat the noodles evenly instead of making them greasy.
- Melt the butter gently. You want it melted, not browned, to keep the flavor clean and classic.
- Easy upgrades: Add garlic butter, lemon butter, or a sprinkle of Parmesan for extra flavor without changing the simplicity of the dish.
Nutrition
Calories: 459kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 111mg | Sodium: 164mg | Potassium: 204mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 585IU | Calcium: 105mg | Iron: 1mg
