When I want to impress my family and friends, I make these garlic butter noodles because they come together quickly and taste insanely delicious.
It's an easy recipe that has recently become one of my go-to weeknight dinner recipes. My recipe includes soy sauce, fish sauce, and chili oil for extra umami, elevating this dish to the next level.
So, if you love butter and garlic noodles, this is the quick, no-fuss recipe you’ll find yourself making again and again.
What Are Garlic Butter Noodles?
If you’re new to garlic butter noodles, they’re a simple but rich noodle dish tossed in a creamy butter and garlic sauce that is indulgent and sophisticated. This recipe blends heavy cream, parmesan, chili oil, soy sauce, and fish sauce to create a silky, savory, umami-packed sauce that pairs perfectly with your favorite noodles.
While butter and garlic noodles show up in many Asian-fusion and restaurant dishes today, the roots of buttery, aromatic noodles can be found across different cultures, making this recipe both familiar and unique.
Why You’ll Love Garlic Butter Noodles
- Quick and Easy: This recipe comes together in just 15 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- Irresistibly Creamy: The heavy cream, parmesan, and butter create the creamiest, silky sauce that's so mouth-watering.
- Comfort in Every Bite: These butter and garlic noodles bring cozy, savory flavors that taste like a restaurant dish.
- Super Versatile: You can add protein, veggies, or use any noodles you love—this dish is easy to customize.
- Family-Friendly: The flavors are rich but simple, making this a recipe the whole family will love.
Equipment You’ll Need
- Large pot
- Large skillet
- Tongs
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Spoon or spatula
Ingredients
- Dry wheat noodles: I like wheat noodles as it soaks up the rich, creamy garlic butter sauce. However, you can use spaghetti, fettuccine, or any other noodle of choice.
- Unsalted butter: Adds richness and helps form the base of the garlic butter flavor.
- Shallot
- Garlic: A key ingredient that adds bold, fragrant flavor to the sauce.
- Dried oregano
- Heavy cream
- Parmesan
- Soy sauce
- Fish sauce
- Sugar
- Chili oil: Adds heat and a layer of aromatic spice
- Noodle water: Helps loosen the sauce and helps everything cling to the noodles. Make sure to reserve a bit extra to loosen the sauce to your desired consistency!
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Chopped cilantro
Customizations
- Protein Options: Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu to make these garlic butter noodles extra filling.
- Vegetable Add-Ins: Toss in spinach, mushrooms, peas, or broccoli for added freshness and texture.
- Noodle Swap: Use rice noodles, ramen noodles, or fettuccine—this recipe works with almost anything.
How to Make Garlic Butter Noodles
Cook the Noodles
Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the noodles according to the package instructions. Before draining, scoop out about 1 cup of noodle water to use later.
Drain the noodles, rinse briefly under cold water to remove excess starch, and set aside.
Build the Garlic Butter Base
In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter.
Add the minced shallot, garlic, and dried oregano, sautéing for about 1 minute until the shallot softens and everything becomes fragrant.
Create the Creamy Sauce
Pour in the heavy cream, parmesan, soy sauce, fish sauce, sugar, chili oil, ⅓ cup of the reserved noodle water, salt, and black pepper.
Stir and let the sauce simmer for 2–3 minutes until it begins to thicken slightly.
Toss and Finish
Add the cooked noodles into the skillet and toss until they’re fully coated in the creamy garlic butter sauce, about 30 seconds.
If the sauce thickens too much, adjust with extra noodle water to reach your desired consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Serve
Remove from heat and plate the noodles. Garnish with chopped cilantro, more chili oil, and enjoy!
Storage
Store leftover garlic butter noodles in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Tips To Make the Perfect Garlic Butter Noodles
- Save Plenty of Noodle Water: It helps loosen the sauce and keeps your garlic butter noodles silky instead of heavy.
- Use Freshly Grated Parmesan: It melts smoother and avoids graininess in the sauce.
- Don’t Overcook the Noodles: Slightly al dente noodles hold up better once added back into the hot sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which noodles are best for this garlic butter noodles recipe?
I love using wheat noodles, but you can easily use spaghetti, fettuccine, egg noodles, ramen, or your favorite noodle of choice—this recipe is super flexible.
Can I add protein and vegetables to this?
Absolutely! Garlic butter noodles taste amazing with shrimp, chicken, tofu, spinach, mushrooms, or broccoli without altering the core flavor.
Why rinse the noodles briefly after draining?
A quick rinse removes excess starch so the noodles don’t clump together before you add them to the sauce.
Can I make this garlic butter noodles recipe spicy?
Yes! Just add more chili oil or a pinch of red pepper flakes for extra heat.
How do I keep the sauce from getting too thick?
Add noodle water gradually until the sauce reach your ideal creamy, silky consistency.
Related Recipes You’ll Love
- Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
- Peanut Gochujang Chili Noodles
- Korean Spicy Cold Noodles
- Soy Sauce Chow Mein
Garlic Butter Noodles
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 oz. dry wheat noodles you can also use egg noodles, spaghetti, etc.
- 3 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 shallot minced
- 6 cloves garlic
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ⅔ cup freshly grated parmesan
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon chili oil
- ⅓ cup noodle water plus extra if needed for desired consistency
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Cook the noodles according to the package instructions. Before draining, scoop out about 1 cup of noodle water to use later (a bit more than needed to adjust for consistency). Drain the noodles, rinse briefly under cold water to remove excess starch, and set aside.6 oz. dry wheat noodles
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the minced shallot, garlic, and dried oregano, then sauté for about 1 minute, until the shallots is softened and fragrant.3 tablespoon unsalted butter, 1 shallot, 6 cloves garlic, ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- Pour in the heavy cream, parmesan, soy sauce, fish sauce, sugar, chili oil, ⅓ cup of the reserved noodle water, salt, and black pepper. Stir and let the sauce simmer for 2-3 minutes, until it starts to slightly thicken.1 cup heavy cream, ⅔ cup freshly grated parmesan, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon fish sauce, 1 teaspoon granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon chili oil, ⅓ cup noodle water, ¼ teaspoon salt, Freshly ground black pepper
- Add the cooked noodles to the skillet and toss until they’re fully coated in the creamy garlic butter sauce, about 30 seconds. If the sauce feels too thick, add a splash of noodle water until it reaches your desired consistency. Adjust seasoning as needed.
- Remove from heat and plate the noodles. Garnish with a sprinkle of chopped cilantro and enjoy!Chopped cilantro
Melanie says
Loved these noodles! Super quick and so much flavor! Kid and mom approved for a busy weeknight meal.
Herman says
Thanks so much Melanie! glad this is family approved!
Crystal Juranek says
We just made these last night! They were so good! I'd say better than takeout! I even got my extremely picky sister to eat them and she wanted seconds! ♥️♥️♥️
Herman says
That's amazing so glad you all liked this recipe!
Jocelyn says
So delicious
Herman says
I agree!
Melanie says
Love these noodles so much! Great flavor and super easy to make! Kid and mom approved for a busy weeknight meal.
Herman says
Thank you!!
Karen says
My go-to recipe! It’s so simple and tasty. Thank you!
Herman says
Thanks Karen, so glad you like this recipe!
Rachel Zaitz says
Made this last night and it was amazing. So flavorful and easy to make! Loved it! Thank you!!
Herman says
So glad you enjoyed this one! Thanks for the review!
Rachel Zaitz says
Amazing!
Shenikwa says
It was delicious!!
Herman says
Thank you, glad you liked it!
Anes says
Love this noodle recipe! Even my picky daughter loves it
Herman says
That's amazing, so glad even your daughter liked this recipe. Thank you!
Denise Paré-Watson says
Your recipe for Garlic Butter Noodes is one of those recipes that I will turn to again and again. It is comfort food and an indulgence all in one and who doesn’t need comfort food and indulgence at the same time? Thank you for sharing such an excellent, quick and delicious dish.
Herman says
Thanks for the thoughtful review, it's one of my go-to recipes as well!
Linda Yee says
I tried this recipe and added some shrimp and broccoli. It was awesome and so easy to make! So flavorful! Great weeknight quick dinner!! So easy!
Herman says
It's definitely one of my go-to weeknight dinner too, thank you!
Linda yee says
Awesome recipe! I tried this recipe and added some shrimp and broccoli. It was so yummy and so quick and easy to make! Great weeknight meal. Very flavorful’
Herman says
That's great to add protein and veggies, just how I like to do it too!
Alicia says
A quick, easy and delicious recipe for the whole family! Definitely will be making this more often!
Herman says
It's one of my go-to easy weeknight dinner recipes too. Thank you!
Teresa Goul says
I loved this quick and easy yet delicious recipe. Noodles to me are always such a comfort food and this dish does not fail to impress. Definitely full of flavor.
Herman says
I totally agree! Thanks for the review 🙂
Peyton Montemayer says
Absolutely tasty and easy to make!!!!!!
Herman says
Thank you! It's one of my favorites too.
Shaianne B says
This recipe is absolutely AMAZING! My kids are huge fans of buttered noodles so I tried this recipe on them to see how they’d like it and they LOVED it! 10/10 definitely will do again!!!
Herman says
Wow, so glad you and the kids love it! I'll keep these easy and delicious recipes coming!
Katrina Ramsden says
These are the best!!! Highly recommend! It’s a family favorite in our house even with our toddler! Love your recipes!
Herman says
Wow what a compliment, thanks so much!
Meaghan krajcik says
This was so easy & incredible . I’ve made it 5x over since trying it a month ago !
Herman says
Wow, I'm so glad you love this one and making it on repeat. Thanks for the review!
Awilda says
Love this recipe
Brian says
I know it will be amazing. I plan on making it this weekend.
Yardena tiktin says
5