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This single serving buttered noodles recipe combines tender pasta with a rich, garlicky butter sauce and a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese. It’s a simple and flavorful dish that comes together quickly, making it perfect for a comforting meal or an easy side dish.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: No complicated steps—just simple ingredients and fast prep.
- Flexible: Adjust the flavors or portion size to fit your needs.
- Just 4 Ingredients: Pasta, garlic, butter, and Parmesan—nothing extra needed.
- Single or Double: Enjoy as a main or a side. Double it if you’d like more.
I love this buttered noodles recipe because it’s the kind of dish I turn to when I want something simple and comforting. The garlic and butter coat the pasta perfectly, and a little Parmesan brings it all together. It’s one of those meals that always feels just right, whether I’m eating it on its own or alongside something else.
Try more of our quick and delicious single serving pasta recipes like creamy Pasta Carbonara, fresh Pesto Pasta, zesty Pasta al Limone, and classic Spaghetti and Meatballs.
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this easy buttered noodles recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Pasta: This recipe uses 2 ounces of dry pasta, perfect for a single serving. Spaghetti is a classic choice, but you can use elbow macaroni, fettuccine, or egg noodles. If you don’t have a scale, 2 ounces of spaghetti is about a 3/4-inch diameter bunch, while 2 ounces of elbow macaroni is roughly 1/2 cup. For a lighter option, try whole grain or chickpea pasta. Leftover pasta works well in Chicken Tetrazzini or Caprese Pasta.
- Butter: Salted butter adds a creamy texture and enhances the flavor of the dish. If you prefer more control over the salt, use unsalted butter and adjust seasoning as needed. For a dairy-free option, substitute olive oil or another cooking oil.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic (1-2 cloves) boosts the flavor of this dish. Add more if you enjoy a stronger garlic taste. In a pinch, garlic powder can be used as a substitute.
- Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan melts beautifully and brings a rich, savory element to the noodles. While pre-packaged Parmesan is convenient, it doesn’t melt as well into the dish.
Recipe Variations
Looking to customize your buttered noodles? Try these simple ideas:
- Spicy: Sprinkle in red pepper flakes for a touch of heat.
- Cheesy: Stir in shredded cheddar, Gruyère, or your favorite cheese for a richer flavor.
- Zesty: Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for a bright, citrusy twist.
- Creamy: Mix in a spoonful of cream cheese or crème fraîche for extra creaminess.
How To Make Buttered Noodles
These step-by-step photos and instructions help you visualize how to make this single serve buttered noodles recipe. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook 2 ounces of pasta until al dente. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the pasta water before draining. Set the pasta aside.
Pro Tip: Save the pasta water! Its starch helps thicken the sauce and gives it a smooth, restaurant-quality texture.
- Prepare the Sauce: In the same pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Remove the pot from the heat. Add the cooked pasta and reserved pasta water, stirring until the pasta is well-coated in the butter sauce.
- Add Cheese and Seasoning: Stir in freshly grated Parmesan cheese, a pinch of salt, and black pepper to taste. cheese and a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Serve: Transfer to a bowl, top with extra Parmesan, and enjoy!
Pro Tip: For a vegan version, use vegan butter or olive oil and skip the Parmesan cheese.
Expert Tips
- Use the Right Pot: Choose a pot large enough for the pasta to move freely as it cooks. A 2-quart saucepan works well for a single serving. Using a larger pot helps the water return to a boil quickly after adding the pasta.
- Salt the Water: Flavor starts with the cooking water. Add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of salt to the water for a single serving. While the pasta doesn’t absorb all the salt, it enhances the overall flavor.
- Wait for a Boil: Always add pasta to a full, rolling boil. Starting in water that’s not fully boiling can lead to sticky, unevenly cooked noodles.
- Stir to Prevent Sticking: Stir the pasta immediately after adding it to the pot, and continue stirring occasionally to keep it from clumping or sticking to the bottom.
- Don’t Rinse the Pasta: After draining, avoid rinsing the pasta. Rinsing cools it down and removes the starchy coating that helps the sauce stick to the noodles.
Ways To Elevate Your Buttered Noodles
Take your buttered noodles to the next level with these simple additions:
- Herbs: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley, basil, chives, or dill for a burst of flavor and color.
- Protein: Mix in cooked chicken, shrimp, crispy bacon, or tofu for a more filling meal.
- Vegetables: Add sautéed spinach, cherry tomatoes, roasted broccoli, or caramelized onions for extra nutrients and flavor.
- Crunch: Top with toasted breadcrumbs, crushed nuts, or sunflower seeds for added texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Spaghetti is a classic choice, but you can use elbow macaroni, fettuccine, or egg noodles—whatever you have on hand.
Measuring without a scale? For 2 ounces of spaghetti, grab a bunch about three-quarters of an inch in diameter (roughly 2 centimeters). For elbow macaroni, 2 ounces is about 1/2 cup. If you’re using dry egg noodles, 2 ounces equals roughly 1 cup.
Yes! Simply double all the ingredient amounts to make a larger batch.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or butter if needed.
Yes! The starchy pasta water helps create a silky sauce that clings to the noodles. Reserve a few tablespoons before draining the pasta.
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 easy “buttered noodles for one” recipe or any 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
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta until al dente. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the pasta water before draining. Set the pasta aside.
- Prepare the Sauce: In the same pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Remove the pot from the heat. Add the cooked pasta and reserved pasta water, stirring until the pasta is well-coated in the butter sauce.
- Add Cheese and Seasoning: Stir in freshly grated Parmesan cheese, a pinch of salt, and black pepper to taste.
- Serve: Transfer to a bowl, top with extra Parmesan, and enjoy!
Notes
- Use the Right Pot: Choose a pot large enough for the pasta to move freely as it cooks. A 2-quart saucepan works well for a single serving. Using a larger pot helps the water return to a boil quickly after adding the pasta.
- Salt the Water: Flavor starts with the cooking water. Add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of salt to the water for a single serving. While the pasta doesn’t absorb all the salt, it enhances the overall flavor.
- Wait for a Boil: Always add pasta to a full, rolling boil. Starting in water that’s not fully boiling can lead to sticky, unevenly cooked noodles.
- Stir to Prevent Sticking: Stir the pasta immediately after adding it to the pot, and continue stirring occasionally to keep it from clumping or sticking to the bottom.
- Don’t Rinse the Pasta: After draining, avoid rinsing the pasta. Rinsing cools it down and removes the starchy coating that helps the sauce stick to the noodles.
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.
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!