Parmesan butter noodles are the perfect blend of simplicity and comfort, with warm butter and savory Parmesan coating every bite. Whether served as a main or side, this easy dish delivers big flavor with minimal effort.
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Hey there, pasta enthusiasts! If you’re all about simple pleasures and big flavors, you’re in for a treat with our Parmesan butter noodles. Imagine perfectly cooked pasta, coated in creamy garlic butter, and generously sprinkled with grated Parmesan. No fancy techniques, just pure deliciousness that’s ready in a flash. So, grab your fork and get ready to dive into a plate of comfort that’ll have you coming back for seconds (and maybe even thirds)!
I settled on this recipe because I was looking for the perfect side dish to serve with this shrimp Francese. They really do taste fabulous together! They both feature a garlicky buttery sauce and the Parmesan flavor of these noodles complement the shrimp perfectly!
What You’ll Love About This Recipe
Ingredients
- Pasta. I went with whole grain thin spaghetti here, but don’t sweat it if you prefer regular spaghetti or any other favorite pasta. Just remember to cook it al dente as per the package instructions.
- Butter. I’ve tried this recipe with both salted and unsalted butter, and honestly, both turned out great. If you’re not into too much saltiness, go for unsalted butter and tweak the salt you add in the final step.
- Minced garlic. This recipe is all about keeping it simple and nailing those ingredients. Mincing your own fresh garlic beats that pre-minced stuff you grab at the store any day. I’ve been down the jarred garlic road too. But believe me, once you switch to fresh, the food quality skyrockets. It might take a little bit more time to chop that garlic yourself, but let me tell you, it’s a game-changer you won’t regret!
- Finely grated Parmesan cheese. Here’s the scoop on the Parmesan – same deal as the garlic. Treat yourself to the finest fresh Parmesan you can get your hands on, and give it a good shred using a box grater. Skip that pre-grated stuff you see hanging out with the pasta sauce at the store. The pre-grated stuff is fine for some dishes (I’ll spill the beans on one soon!), but for this recipe, you want that primo, freshly grated Parmesan action for top-notch flavor!
- Salt.
- Freshly ground pepper. Let’s talk pepper – nothing beats the zing of freshly ground pepper. Trust me, it’s a whole league above the pre-ground stuff. I know, I’m repeating myself, but seriously, snagging a pepper grinder or some peppercorns with a built-in grinder? Totally worth it!
- Parsley. Garnish. Optional.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Variations
- Herb Infusion. Elevate the flavors by infusing your melted butter with your favorite herbs like fresh thyme, rosemary, or basil. This will add a fragrant and aromatic dimension to your dish.
- Veggie Medley. Amp up the nutrition by adding sautéed or blanched vegetables like spinach, cherry tomatoes, or roasted bell peppers. They’ll bring color, freshness, and a delightful crunch to your noodles.
- Protein Boost. Turn this into a heartier meal by incorporating cooked chicken, shrimp, or sliced sausage. Simply toss them in with the noodles for a well-rounded and satisfying dish.
- Creamy Upgrade. Transform your Parmesan butter noodles into a creamy delight by stirring in a splash of heavy cream or half-and-half. This will create a luscious and velvety sauce that clings to the noodles.
- Zesty Kick. Add a burst of acidity by tossing in some lemon zest or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. This will balance the richness and add a zesty, tangy twist to the dish.
- Nuts and Crunch. For an extra layer of texture, sprinkle toasted pine nuts, chopped walnuts, or breadcrumbs over your noodles. They’ll provide a satisfying crunch and nutty flavor.
- Pepper and Spice. If you’re a fan of heat, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce. This will give your dish a subtle kick without overwhelming the flavors.
- Caramelized Onions. Sauté thinly sliced onions until they’re caramelized and sweet, then toss them in with your noodles. They’ll add a deep, rich flavor to the dish.
- Asian Fusion. Incorporate an Asian flair by tossing the noodles with a soy-sesame sauce, chopped scallions, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
Top Tips
- Choose the right pasta. Choose pasta shapes that have nooks and crannies to hold onto the butter and Parmesan cheese, such as spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne.
- Cook the pasta correctly. Cook the pasta until it’s al dente, which means that it’s cooked through but still slightly firm to the bite. Overcooking can result in mushy noodles.
- Use real butter. Stick with real butter for the best flavor. Margarine or other butter substitutes may not provide the same rich taste.
- Medium low heat. Melt the butter over medium low heat to avoid burning it. You want the butter to be gently melted, not browned.
- Constant stirring. Stir the melted butter continuously as you add the cooked pasta to make sure the butter is evenly distributed.
- Gradual cheese addition. Add the grated Parmesan cheese gradually while continuously stirring the noodles. This ensures the cheese melts evenly and doesn’t clump together.
- Adjust seasoning. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. You can also add other herbs or spices to enhance the flavor, such as garlic powder or red pepper flakes.
- Don’t skimp on cheese. Use good quality grated Parmesan cheese. Freshly grated Parmesan will yield better results than pre-packaged alternatives.
Storage
Storing and reheating these noodles is a breeze! To store, let the noodles cool down, then transfer them into an airtight container. Place it in the refrigerator, and they should stay good for up to 3 days.
For reheating, you have a couple of options. One way is to use the microwave. Put a portion of the noodles in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle a few drops of water to prevent drying out, and cover with a microwave-safe lid or microwave-safe wrap. Heat in short bursts, stirring in between, until the noodles are heated through.
Another method is to reheat on the stovetop. In a pan over low to medium heat, add a bit of butter or olive oil to prevent sticking, then toss in the noodles. Stir occasionally until they’re warmed up and ready to enjoy.
Remember, with either method, don’t forget to give the noodles a gentle stir to redistribute the flavors and ensure even heating.
FAQs
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with these Parmesan butter noodles:
Parmesan Butter Noodles Recipe
Parmesan butter noodles are the perfect blend of simplicity and comfort, with warm butter and savory Parmesan coating every bite. Whether served as a main or side, this easy dish delivers big flavor with minimal effort.
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Ingredients
- 8 ounces pasta See Note 1.
- ½ cup butter Note 2.
- 1 teaspoon garlic Minced. Note 3.
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese Finely grated. Note 4.
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper Freshly ground. Note 5.
- parsley Garnish. Optional.
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until it's al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside. Note 6.8 ounces pasta
- In a large skillet over medium low heat, melt the butter until it starts to sizzle. Note 7.½ cup butter
- Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.1 teaspoon garlic
- Add the cooked and drained pasta to the skillet.
- Toss it in the melted butter to coat it evenly. Note 8.
- Gradually sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the noodles. Note 9.1 cup Parmesan cheese
- Stir constantly, adding more cheese between stirs, until the cheese melts and coats the noodles.
- Add salt and pepper and stir until incorporated. Continue to toss the noodles until everything is well combined and the noodles are coated in the garlic Parmesan butter. Note 10.½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper
- Garnish with parsley if desired.parsley
Notes
- I used whole grain thin spaghetti for this recipe. Spaghetti does work great, but you can substitute your favorite pasta. Just be sure to cook it al dente according to the package instructions.
- I’ve used both salted and unsalted butter in this recipe and got good results with both. If you are sensitive to salt, you may want to stick with unsalted butter and adjust the amount of salt that you add in the last step.
Be sure to use real butter. Margarine or other butter substitutes may not yield the same rich flavor. - Because this recipe is so simple and uses few ingredients, it’s important that every ingredient be the best it can be. Fresh garlic that you mince yourself is always better than the pre-minced garlic that you buy in the grocery store. Trust me. I relied on jarred garlic for years. When I switched to fresh, the difference in the quality of the food is huge. It takes just a few extra minutes to mince the garlic yourself, but the effort is worth it!
- My advice for the Parmesan is the same as my advice for the garlic. Buy the best fresh Parmesan you can afford, and grate it yourself using a box grater. Don’t use that pre-grated stuff you find with the pasta sauce in the grocery store. The pre-grated variety works fine in some recipes (in fact I will be sharing one soon!), but this recipe needs really good, freshly grated Parmesan cheese to taste its best!
- The flavor of freshly ground pepper can’t be beat. It’s so much better than pre-ground pepper. I know I’m sounding like a broken record here, but it truly is worth it to buy a pepper grinder or pepper that has a pepper grinder built in.
- Cook the pasta until it’s al dente, which means it’s cooked through but still slightly firm to the bite. Overcooking can result in mushy noodles.
- Make sure to melt the butter over medium low heat so as to not burn it. You want the butter to be gently melted, not browned.
- Be sure to continuously stir and toss the noodles in the melted butter to make sure the butter gets evenly distributed.
- Don’t add the Parmesan cheese all at once. Sprinkle some over the noodles, then give a stir, gradually sprinkling in more cheese as you go. This ensures that the cheese melts evenly and doesn’t clump together.
- Adjust the seasoning to taste. Add a bit of salt and pepper, then give it a taste. At this step, you can also add other herbs and seasonings, like garlic powder, or red pepper flakes for a bit of heat.
Nutrition
Calories: 257kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 39mg | Sodium: 439mg | Potassium: 80mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 453IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 158mg | Iron: 0.5mg
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 257kcal
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