This Parmesan 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!
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. This insanely easy pasta with butter and parmesan is exactly one of those recipes.
Al dente noodles tossed with butter, salt and pepper, and creamy parmesan are topped with a sprinkling of parsley. Enjoy on its own as a super simple meal, or serve as a pasta side dish for your choice of meat or seafood.
It’s easy that way.
Heidi’s Tips for Recipe Success
- 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, which won’t melt to create a silky sauce like shredded Parm.
- Don’t cook the noodles past al dente, otherwise you’ll wind up with a plate of mush.
- Salt the pasta water generously before adding the noodles. You want the noodles themselves to have some flavor too!
What’s in This Recipe?
The full recipe, with amounts, can be found in the recipe card below.
- Fettuccine noodles — Any long, thin pasta will work for this recipe. We prefer the chewy bite of fettuccine.
- Butter — Salted or unsalted, the choice is yours. Be sure to salt the dish to taste after the cheese and butter are added.
- Parmesan cheese — For a silky smooth, clump-free “sauce,” use shredded parmesan rather than the powdered kind in a can.
- Kosher salt and pepper — Always season to taste.
- Fresh parsley — Optional, but it adds a pop of freshness that goes nicely with the rich buttery parmesan flavors going on.
★★★★★
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.
-Jennifer, FoodieCrush reader
How to Make Buttered Parmesan Noodles
- Cook the noodles until al dente. The exact timing will be listed on the package.
- Drain the pasta, but do not rinse. Reserve ½ cup of the starchy pasta water before draining.
- Toss to combine. 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.
FAQs
If you used a low-quality parmesan or the powdered kind in a can, that might be the reason.
Another tip for avoiding a clumpy sauce is to stir some of the water that the pasta cooked in into the buttered noodles. The starchy cooking water should loosen up any clumps of parmesan and give the noodles into a smooth, slurpable consistency.
Add a splash of heavy cream for added richness, a squeeze of lemon juice or some lemon zest for zingy flavor, some extra cracks of freshly ground black pepper for some heat, roasted garlic for sweet garlicky flavor, or mix up the fresh herbs by adding basil, rosemary, or oregano instead of parsley.
Storage Tips
This is one pasta dish that’s best enjoyed right away. If you have leftovers, store them in the fridge for up to 4 days. When it’s time to reheat them, add a splash of broth or water to loosen them up, and / or a small pat of butter.
What to Serve with Buttered Parmesan Noodles
- Protein Add-Ons — Parmesan Crusted Chicken, Meatballs, Grilled Salmon, Grilled Salmon
- Main Dishes — Chicken Milanese, Marry Me Chicken, Chicken Marsala, Creamy Lemon Chicken
- Side Dishes — Italian Salad, Antipasto Salad, Garlic Bread
If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a comment below or take a photo and tag me on Instagram with #foodiecrusheats.
Parmesan Buttered Noodles Recipe
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 ½ 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.
Nutrition
More Super Simple Pasta Dishes to Make
- Easy Pesto Pasta
- 5-Ingredient Cacio e Pepe
- Lemon Fettuccine Alfredo
- Zucchini Pasta
- Brown Butter Sage Ravioli
- Pasta Pomodoro
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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.
Stephanie Claymore
I call them Drunk Noodles! Due to the fact that after a night of drinking, NOTHING beats a bowl of my Drunk Noodles. Made them for my kids, sober, and told them what I have called them for years, and they got a kick out of it. To make these over the top is some KerryGold butter! I do tend to go over board on the parmesan, so I do use the green can. Nothing wrong with that! I even use that green can for alfredo.
Hahahah I think you’re on to something Stephanie!
Laura
Kids Loved it …. and so Did I! Thanks – Respect!!!
Keiyla
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!
chris
how much fat is their and how many calories it is for homework plz tell me
Sydney Bellomy
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!
Mary
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
Tara
use real shredded Parmesan, not that stuff in the green can lol
Devon Caldwell
What do you mean add cooking liquid? Do you mean water or vegetable oil?
Roger Sells
The water you cooked the noodles in
Rachaeldiaz
I Did what they said to do but i add some Parmesan cheese with it OMG it was so delicious
Rachael
I did what they said to do but I added some Parmesan cheese with that OMG it was so delicious
Rachael
I did what they said to do but I added Parmesan cheese with it and OMG it was so delicious
ivana groves
can you replace the Parmesan with mozzarella?
carlene
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.
Jennifer
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.
Louisa [Living Lou]
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!
Maria
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 :)
Deborah
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!
Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen
“So why not start in the kitchen” <– yes!! I totally agree! I love this one, Heidi!
Arthur in the Garden!
Yummy and easy!
Christina @ Sweet Pea's Kitchen
I totally agree, the simplest meals are the most satisfying! These noodles sound delicious! That last picture is just mouthwatering!
JulieD
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!
Tieghan
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!
Patti
Yum! It’s tomorrow’s dinner. Your photos always make anything look marvelous.
Aggie
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!
Sue/the view from great island
Great shots, the one in the pan is my favorite, and you’re so right — simplify, simplify, simplify!
Kristi
So simple, but sounds delicious.
kelley
When you simplify, you create more time for skiing. It’s a win, win. #DoIT
You know it snow sister.
Kathryn
Love that word, simplicity, and love this recipe. Beautiful Heidi!
dana
This looks gorgeous, Heidi!
Katrina @ WVS
I love simple recipes like this! Totally delicious and totally easy.
Laura (Tutti Dolci)
Gorgeous, I’d happily eat these noodles every day of the week!
Corinne
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.
Liz
Love this simple recipe – very comforting!
Christine @ Cooking with Cakes
amen to keeping it simple girrrrl!! this looks faboosh
Belinda@themonoblushbaker
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.
Averie @ Averie Cooks
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
Oooh soo easy to make & soo good!!! I add 2 spoons of sour cream for the dryness. A must try!!!!
Ashley Sorenson
I might have to try that next time Lila!! Enjoy!