This buttered noodles recipe does double duty as a full-blown dinner or a side for chicken, surf, or turf. Bonus: it uses just 4 ingredients!
Easiest Buttered Noodles
We’re not yet two weeks into 2014, so I think that technically I can squeeze in one more ode to 2013, right?
2013 was a great year, a fabulous year in fact. It was filled with amazing opportunities and new relationships that came my way thanks to this sweet lil’ blog o’ mine. Sing that 3 times fast to the Axl’s Sweet Child O’ Mine and you’ll feel my vibe.
While I’ve already declared my word for 2014, with 365 days to cover there’s certainly room for one more. And most likely a few others too. That’s why I’m adding this one to the hat: Simplify.
One thing I heard over and over from friends and family in 2013 was this: “I was going to call you, but you’re SO BUSY,” or “I was going to ask you to go/stay/play but you’re SO BUSY.”
Was I really THAT busy? TOO busy for my family and friends?
I suppose I made it seem that way. Since it seemed that my standard answer when people asked, “How are you doing?” was some form of, “Things are good, I’m just really busy / I was up late last night finishing things up / Sorry I’m not going to make it, I have to get this done.” It’s no wonder my dance card seemed too full to them. Maybe I played the martyr one time way too many.
2013 was the year for me being a lame friend, family member, and hostess. Which is why I’m adding the word Simplify to my list of words for 2014. Simplify and don’t make things so hard. Simplify and stop making things SEEM so hard.
My friend Courtney wrote a post about this, and she coaches me about it all of the time. I just have to learn to listen. She’s smart that way. Well Courtney, as my mom the pre-school teacher says, I’ve put on my listening ears and I’m ready. So why not start in the kitchen?
There are plenty of complicated pasta recipes out there, some with sausage, some with shrimp and some that play happily with fresh tomatoes and mozzarella cheese. But sometimes the simplest are the most satisfying. My easy Parmesan pasta is exactly one of those recipes.
Simple noodles, butter, salt and pepper and creamy parmesan topped with a sprinkling of parsley. This buttered noodles recipe does double duty as a full-blown dinner or a side for chicken, surf or turf. It’s easy that way.
What’s Needed for Buttered Noodles?
To make these easy Parmesan cheese noodles, all you need is:
- Fettuccine noodles
- Butter
- Parmesan cheese
- Kosher salt and pepper
- Fresh parsley
How to Make Buttered Noodles
Simply cook the noodles until al dente (exact timing will be listed on the package), then reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
Add butter to the still-warm pot to melt. Toss with the noodles, then add the grated Parm and some of the pasta water to loosen things up. Season with salt and pepper before serving.
Can I Use Another Type of Pasta?
Yes, any long, thin pasta will work for this Parmesan pasta recipe.
Tips for Making Buttered Noodles
Because this is such an easy noodle recipe, it’s important that you use the best quality ingredients you can. Buy a block of Parmesan and shred it yourself, or buy a high-quality shredded Parm at the store. Avoid the powdered stuff in the shaker can.
Don’t cook the noodles past al dente, otherwise you’ll wind up with a plate of mush.
Lastly, be sure to salt the pasta water generously before adding the noodles. You want the noodles themselves to have some flavor too!
More Easy Pasta Recipes You’ll Love
- One-Pot Skinny Pasta Primavera
- Baked Sausage and Cheese Rigatoni
- Creamy Pasta with Salmon and Asparagus
- One-Pot Penne Pasta with Turkey and Spinach
- Fresh Tomato and Ricotta Whole Wheat Pasta
If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a comment below or take a photo and tag me on Instagram with #foodiecrusheats.
Easy Parmesan Buttered Noodles
This buttered noodles recipe does double duty as a full-blown dinner or a side for chicken, surf, or turf. Bonus: it uses just 4 ingredients!
Ingredients
- 8 ounces fettuccine noodles
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese , grated
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper , to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley , chopped
Instructions
- Cook pasta in large pot of boiling, salted water, stirring occasionally, for about 8 minutes or until al dente.
Drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking water.
- Add butter to still warm pot and melt over low heat. Turn off heat and add noodles to pot and toss with butter. Add Parmesan cheese and ¼ cup of cooking liquid at time as needed to moisten. Season with kosher salt and pepper and add parsley. Serve immediately.
More Pasta Side Dishes to Try
- Greek Pasta Salad with Cucumbers and Artichoke Hearts
- BLT Pasta Salad with Avocado
- Easy Italian Spaghetti Pasta Salad
- Classic Shrimp Macaroni Salad
- Easy Homemade Pesto Pasta
Craving more life balance, less stress, and better health? Check out my Nourished Planner, the daily planner to help create simplicity and under-schedule your life.
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This recipe was created in partnership with Go Bold With Butter where I am a paid contributor to their website. As always, thank you for reading and supporting companies I partner with, which allows me to create more unique content and recipes for you. There are affiliate links in this post of which I receive a small commission. All opinions are always my own.
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Averie @ Averie Cooks says
These are some of the prettiest ‘plain’ noodles I’ve ever seen! Just the clarity in your images of EACH individual noodle is mindblowing! So, so, so pretty! pinned
Lila Bee says
Oooh soo easy to make & soo good!!! I add 2 spoons of sour cream for the dryness. A must try!!!!
Ashley Sorenson says
I might have to try that next time Lila!! Enjoy!
[email protected] says
These types of pasta reminds us that food doesn have to complicated to taste wonderful. Good egg noodles,butter and pasta is all you need for a good meal but it never hurts to have more cheese right?
I love the use of lights in your photos.
Christine @ Cooking with Cakes says
amen to keeping it simple girrrrl!! this looks faboosh
Liz says
Love this simple recipe – very comforting!
Corinne says
My Dad would make us a version of this growing up (adding in some cut up potatoes) and it was, and still is to this day, the dish my sister and I request when he’s cooking. Something about it is just pure, simple and oh-so delicious. And no matter how many times we make it ourselves, Dad’s is always better.
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
Gorgeous, I’d happily eat these noodles every day of the week!
Katrina @ WVS says
I love simple recipes like this! Totally delicious and totally easy.
dana says
This looks gorgeous, Heidi!
Kathryn says
Love that word, simplicity, and love this recipe. Beautiful Heidi!
kelley says
When you simplify, you create more time for skiing. It’s a win, win. #DoIT
heidi says
You know it snow sister.
Kristi says
So simple, but sounds delicious.
Sue/the view from great island says
Great shots, the one in the pan is my favorite, and you’re so right — simplify, simplify, simplify!
Aggie says
My word for 2014 is Simplify too. I feel like I’ve lost touch with people in my day to day from being too busy too, so I can totally relate! These noodles look perfect Heidi!
Patti says
Yum! It’s tomorrow’s dinner. Your photos always make anything look marvelous.
Tieghan says
I am trying hard to simplify too. It is a 2014 goal!
Love the noodles. I make these all the time. It is was I grew up on except the parm is a new and welcomed addition!
JulieD says
I seriously made this same kind of thing in high school with pasta shells…just so comforting. Your recipe brings me back…I think I need this for dinner tonight!
Christina @ Sweet Pea's Kitchen says
I totally agree, the simplest meals are the most satisfying! These noodles sound delicious! That last picture is just mouthwatering!
Arthur in the Garden! says
Yummy and easy!
Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen says
“So why not start in the kitchen” <– yes!! I totally agree! I love this one, Heidi!
Deborah says
I am all about simplifying this year!! (And hopefully that will mean I’ll get to see you more, too!) This is a perfect meal to me. Nothing better better than noodles and cheese!
Maria says
This is similar to what my mom used to do when I was growing up except she would brown the butter a bit…gave it a little extra something :)
Louisa [Living Lou] says
This used to be the only thing I would eat when I was a kid – I haven’t had it in years!
Love the idea of simplicity for 2014 – I also always find myself answering the question “How are you doing?” with some form of “busy”. It’s something that I’ve been trying to work on for 2014, by doing a bit of simplifying myself but also just learning to phrase my answers and mindset differently!
Jennifer says
My mom used to make these when I was growing up, and I have made them for my own family for 23 years now. Always a great impromptu side when I forget to plan one, using whatever pasta I have on hand – everything is a staple on always on hand.
carlene says
I see this was for 2014, but I just found it. I have made this dish for a fast delish dish. There is only one more ingredient I use, Garlic!! Every one loves it!!! Nice to know it wasn’t my invention.
ivana groves says
can you replace the Parmesan with mozzarella?
Rachael says
I did what they said to do but I added Parmesan cheese with it and OMG it was so delicious
Rachael says
I did what they said to do but I added some Parmesan cheese with that OMG it was so delicious
Rachaeldiaz says
I Did what they said to do but i add some Parmesan cheese with it OMG it was so delicious
Devon Caldwell says
What do you mean add cooking liquid? Do you mean water or vegetable oil?
Roger Sells says
The water you cooked the noodles in
Mary says
I made this recipe and it was delicious. The only problem I had was that the Parmesan kind of clumped up on me while I was mixing everything together to serve it. Can you give me any tips so this doesn’t happen. Thanks
Sydney Bellomy says
I know this is from 2014, but here I am in 2017 still making this. My daughter loves this and so do I! My pregnancy craving!
chris says
how much fat is their and how many calories it is for homework plz tell me
Keiyla says
I’m a cooking idiot and was hoping this would be easy enough for me, but I got confused or messed up somewhere, and my Parmesan ended up in a lump. Was I supposed to stir the Parmesan and drained pasta water in, or sprinkle it on top? It didn’t say stir, but I couldn’t figure out why I was adding pasta water to moisten if I wasn’t stirring.
I’d like to try again the correct way, if you’d be so generous as to assist. Thanks!
Laura says
Kids Loved it …. and so Did I! Thanks – Respect!!!