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This single serving buttered noodles recipe is made with pasta, butter, garlic, and Parmesan, and comes together in just minutes. It is a simple, classic dish with rich, buttery flavor.
Featured Comment
“Simple, fast and delicious! Totally going to make this again and again! Another winner!”
– Sharon
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy: These buttered noodles come together in minutes with minimal prep.
- Simple ingredients: Made with just pasta, butter, garlic, and Parmesan.
- Flexible portions: Enjoy as a single serving meal or a simple side dish. Easily double the recipe if needed.
- Classic flavor: A buttery, garlicky pasta finished with Parmesan that never goes out of style.
Buttered noodles are one of those dishes I come back to again and again. There is something comforting about a bowl of warm pasta coated in butter, lightly flavored with garlic, and finished with Parmesan. It is simple, familiar, and satisfying in the best way, and it reminds me that a good meal does not need to be complicated to feel just right.
Try more of our quick single serving pasta recipes like our easy pasta carbonara recipe, our fresh pesto pasta recipe, zesty pasta al limone for one, and our classic recipe for spaghetti and meatballs.
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this easy buttered pasta recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Pasta: This recipe uses 2 ounces of dry pasta, which is ideal for a single serving of buttered noodles. Spaghetti is a classic option, but elbow macaroni, fettuccine, linguine, or egg noodles all work well. If you do not have a scale, 2 ounces of spaghetti is about a 3/4-inch bundle, and short pasta is about 1/2 cup dry. Use extra pasta in our chicken tetrazzini recipe or caprese pasta for one.
- Butter: Butter coats the pasta and gives this dish its rich flavor. I typically use salted butter, but unsalted butter works well if you prefer to adjust the salt yourself. Olive oil can be used instead.
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic adds flavor and turns simple buttered noodles into garlic butter noodles. Use 1 clove for mild garlic flavor or 2 cloves for a stronger taste.
- Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan melts into the warm pasta and adds a savory finish. For best results, avoid shelf-stable or pre-shredded Parmesan, which does not melt as smoothly.
Recipe Variations
These easy additions let you customize classic buttered noodles:
- Cheesy: Stir in extra grated Parmesan or a small handful of shredded cheddar for cheesy buttered noodles.
- Garlic Butter Noodles: Add an extra clove of garlic or a pinch of garlic powder for a stronger garlic flavor.
- Spicy: Sprinkle in red pepper flakes or freshly ground black pepper for gentle heat.
- Creamy: For a richer version, spoon a small amount of béchamel sauce over the noodles and stir to coat.
How To Make Buttered Noodles
These simple steps walk you through how to make classic single serving buttered noodles. Ingredient amounts and full instructions can be found in the recipe card below.
- Cook the pasta: Bring a small pot of salted water to a boil. Add 2 ounces of pasta and cook until al dente. Before draining, reserve 2 tablespoons of the pasta water. Drain the pasta and set aside.
Pro Tip: The starchy pasta water helps loosen the butter and creates a smooth sauce that coats the noodles evenly.
- Melt the butter and cook the garlic: Return the pot to the stove over medium heat. Add the butter and let it melt. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute, stirring frequently, until fragrant.
- Combine the pasta and sauce: Remove the pot from the heat. Add the cooked pasta and reserved pasta water. Stir until the noodles are evenly coated in the butter.
- Add the cheese and seasoning: Stir in freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Serve: Transfer the buttered noodles to a bowl. Top with additional Parmesan cheese, if desired, and serve warm.
Expert Tips
- Use the Right Pot: A small pot that gives the pasta room to move helps it cook evenly. A 2-quart saucepan works well for a single serving.
- Salt the Water: Add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of salt to the boiling water to season the pasta as it cooks.
- Start With a Rolling Boil: Always add pasta to fully boiling water to prevent sticking and uneven cooking.
- Stir Early: Stir the pasta right after adding it to the pot, then occasionally as it cooks, to keep the noodles from clumping.
- Do Not Rinse: Draining is enough. Rinsing removes the starch that helps the butter and cheese cling to the pasta.
Ways To Customize Buttered Noodles
These optional add-ins turn classic buttered noodles into a more filling meal:
- Herbs: Sprinkle fresh parsley, basil, chives, or dill over the noodles for added flavor.
- Protein: Stir in cooked chicken, cooked shrimp, bacon, or tofu to make it more substantial.
- Vegetables: Add sautéed spinach, cherry tomatoes, roasted broccoli, or caramelized onions.
- Crunch: Top with toasted breadcrumbs or crushed nuts for a bit of contrast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but buttered noodles are best enjoyed right after cooking. If made ahead, store them in the refrigerator and reheat gently with a small amount of butter or water.
Reheat the noodles over low heat or in the microwave with a small splash of water or extra butter, stirring halfway through.
Yes. Spaghetti, fettuccine, linguine, egg noodles, or short pasta like macaroni all work well for buttered noodles.
No. Rinsing removes the starch that helps the butter and Parmesan cling to the noodles.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
If you’ve tried this buttered pasta recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
If you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see it!
Buttered Noodles For One
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt to salt the water, plus more to taste
- 2 ounces dry spaghetti
- 1 tablespoon salted butter
- 1 clove garlic -sliced
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- black pepper -to taste
Instructions
- Bring a small pot of salted water to a boil. Add 2 ounces of pasta and cook until al dente. Before draining, reserve 2 tablespoons of the pasta water. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Return the pot to the stove over medium heat. Add the butter and let it melt. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute, stirring frequently, until fragrant.
- Remove the pot from the heat. Add the cooked pasta and reserved pasta water. Stir until the noodles are evenly coated in the butter.
- Stir in freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Transfer the buttered noodles to a bowl. Top with additional Parmesan cheese, if desired, and serve warm.
Notes
- Use the Right Pot: A small pot that gives the pasta room to move helps it cook evenly. A 2-quart saucepan works well for a single serving.
- Salt the Water: Add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of salt to the boiling water to season the pasta as it cooks.
- Start With a Rolling Boil: Always add pasta to fully boiling water to prevent sticking and uneven cooking.
- Stir Early: Stir the pasta right after adding it to the pot, then occasionally as it cooks, to keep the noodles from clumping.
- Do Not Rinse: Draining is enough. Rinsing removes the starch that helps the butter and cheese cling to the pasta.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
I have NO pasta water, as I’m using leftover egg noodles that I had for my chicken soup. Now, will there be any problem? I plan on using the butter and garlic, but no cheese. I’m hoping it’ll turn out good! I think I’ll add water in case it’s too dry. Is that ok? Thanks
That will work just fine. Since you’re not adding cheese, I’d suggest adding a small pinch of salt to make sure the noodles aren’t bland. You can use a splash of water or broth to loosen them as they warm, adding a little at a time until they look glossy and not dry.
This was great! I added some meat for more calories.
Truly can’t thank you enough! 💛
I’m so happy you enjoyed it.
How do you measure out 2 ounces of dry spaghetti noodles? Love your recipes! Thank you so much for this website!
Thank you for your kind comment! To measure 2 ounces of dry spaghetti without a scale, grab a bunch about 3/4 inch in diameter (roughly 2 centimeters). I’m so glad you’re enjoying the recipes—thank you for your support!
Love, LOVE all your recipes. 🙂 Each and every time I cook pasta, I add about a tbsp of olive oil, along with the salt to the water. It helps to make the pasta stick less, or stickless and/or makes it un-gluey. A great tip I learned over 50 years ago, and still holds true ~ I thought your readers may enjoy knowing it too.
Thank you, Valerie – great tip!
I used broad egg noodles and the garlic was 1 large one. My daughter loved them.
Very nice. I’m going to add a little more garlic next time but I’m a garlic freak
Fast delicious meal! Used egg noodles, jarred garlic, and fresh broccoli. Yummy!
Simple, fast and delicious! Totally going to make this again and again! Another winner! Thank you so much for creating scaled down recipes for us!
So simple yet delicious!