Savory Garlic Noodles Recipe: A Zesty Comfort Classic

Stumbling upon this amazing garlic noodles recipe changed my entire dinner game plan last week.

Curious cooks understand how simple ingredients can create magic in minutes.

Weeknight meals deserve something spectacular that doesn’t require complicated techniques.

Fragrant garlic and silky noodles combine into a comfort dish that feels like a warm hug.

Each twirl of pasta promises intense flavor without overwhelming your palate.

Asian-inspired comfort arrives quickly, satisfying hunger with minimal effort.

You’ll want to bookmark this recipe for those nights when hunger strikes and time feels short.

Garlic Noodles Storage Guide

• Store leftover garlic noodles in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping them fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Warm noodles in microwave using 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly and prevent drying out.
• Revive cold noodles by gently reheating in a pan with a splash of water or additional sauce, restoring moisture and bringing back original flavors.
• Skip freezing these noodles as they tend to become mushy and lose their delicate texture when thawed.

Garlic Noodle Serving Ideas

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: A chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio cuts through the rich, garlicky flavors and provides a refreshing counterpoint to the buttery noodles.
• Complement with Light Beer: A crisp pilsner or Japanese lager like Sapporo balances the intense garlic and umami notes, cleansing the palate between bites.
• Match with Asian Salad: A simple cucumber and radish salad with rice vinegar dressing adds bright, tangy freshness that contrasts the noodles' richness and provides textural variety.
• Enhance with Grilled Protein: Serve alongside quick-seared shrimp or teriyaki chicken to transform the dish from a side to a complete, satisfying meal with added protein and complexity.

Ways To Toss Garlic Noodles With Extras

• Vegan Garlic Noodles: Replace butter with coconut oil, use tamari instead of soy sauce, substitute Parmesan with nutritional yeast, and select plant-based noodles like rice or wheat noodles.
• Gluten-Free Friendly Version: Select gluten-free noodles made from rice, corn, or quinoa, use tamari instead of traditional soy sauce, and confirm all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Spicy Kick Variation: Add red pepper flakes or sriracha sauce during garlic sautéing, incorporate chili oil while finishing the dish, and sprinkle extra hot sauce for heat lovers.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Replace traditional noodles with zucchini noodles, spiralized vegetables, or shirataki noodles, reducing overall carbohydrate content while maintaining delicious garlic flavor profile.

FAQs

• Can I use different types of noodles for this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute with egg noodles, spaghetti, or rice noodles. Just ensure they’re cooked al dente to maintain the right texture.

• Is this dish spicy?

No, these garlic noodles are not spicy. They have a savory, buttery garlic flavor. If you want heat, you can add red pepper flakes or sriracha sauce.

• Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Absolutely! Replace oyster sauce with mushroom-based oyster sauce or soy sauce. Use vegetable butter or olive oil instead of regular butter.

• How do I prevent the garlic from burning?

Sauté minced garlic over medium heat and stir constantly. Remove from heat if it starts to brown quickly. Medium-low heat helps prevent burning and allows garlic to become fragrant without turning bitter.

Garlic Noodles That Keep It Simple and Bold

• Quick and Easy Weeknight Savior: Whip up these garlic noodles in under 20 minutes with minimal ingredients and maximum flavor.
• Customize Your Comfort: Adapt the recipe by adding protein like chicken, shrimp, or tofu to transform this simple side into a complete meal that satisfies different dietary preferences.
• Restaurant-Quality Taste at Home: Create a restaurant-style dish without complex techniques, delivering rich umami flavors through simple pantry staples like soy sauce and garlic.
• Crowd-Pleasing Versatility: Perfect for busy families, picky eaters, and solo diners who want a delicious meal that comes together quickly with minimal cleanup.

Garlic Noodles Ingredient List

• Noodles: Classic base for this dish, egg noodles or spaghetti work great, soft and absorbent for sauce.

• Butter: Rich foundation for flavor, helps create smooth sauce texture.
• Garlic: Primary flavor builder, fresh minced provides best intense taste.
• Soy Sauce: Adds deep umami and salty undertone, low sodium option available.
• Oyster Sauce: Provides complex savory depth, essential for authentic Asian flavor.
• Brown Sugar: Balances saltiness with subtle sweetness, helps create glossy sauce.

• Parmesan Cheese: Adds creamy richness and salty complexity, freshly grated recommended.
• Green Onions: Fresh garnish with sharp onion flavor, provides color and brightness.
• Sesame Oil: Aromatic finishing touch, small amount delivers significant flavor, use toasted variety for deeper taste.

Garlic Noodles Stir-Fry Instructions

Step 1: Boil Water and Prepare Noodles

Fill a large pot with water and add a generous pinch of salt.

Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat.

Carefully drop the noodles into the bubbling water and cook according to the package directions until they reach the perfect al dente texture.

Once cooked, drain the noodles in a colander, but save a quarter cup of the starchy cooking water for later.

Step 2: Create Magical Garlic Sauce

Grab a spacious skillet and melt butter over medium heat until it becomes silky and slightly bubbly.

Sprinkle in the minced garlic and let it dance in the butter for about a minute, releasing its aromatic magic.

Watch carefully to prevent burning.

• Soy sauce
• Oyster sauce
• Brown sugar

Stir everything together until the ingredients blend into a harmonious sauce.

Step 3: Marry Noodles with Sauce

Transfer the cooked noodles directly into the skillet with the garlic sauce.

Toss and twirl the noodles until every strand is gloriously coated.

If the sauce seems too clingy, splash in some reserved pasta water to create a smooth, glossy coating.

Step 4: Final Flourish and Serve

Take the skillet off the heat and sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the noodles, stirring to incorporate.

Scatter freshly chopped green onions on top and drizzle with a touch of sesame oil.

Plate immediately and get ready to devour these irresistible garlic noodles while they’re piping hot.

Garlic Noodle Tips Made Simple

• Watch the garlic closely when sautéing to ensure it doesn't turn bitter or brown, which can ruin the sauce's delicate flavor.
• Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency, creating a silky, perfectly coated noodle dish that's not too dry or too wet.
• Add a splash of sesame oil at the end for an authentic Asian-inspired taste that elevates the entire dish.
• Swap oyster sauce with mushroom-based alternative or soy sauce to create a completely plant-based version without losing rich umami notes.
• Use low-sodium soy sauce if watching salt intake, allowing you to manage the dish's overall saltiness while maintaining delicious flavor.

Garlic Noodles Recipe

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4.8 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Irresistible garlic noodles dance with umami-rich flavors that transport palates through Asian culinary landscapes. Bold garlic notes and silky pasta create a quick comfort meal perfect for hungry souls craving intense, memorable dining experiences.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 12 ounces (340 grams) egg noodles
• 6 cloves garlic
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter

Sauces and Seasonings:

• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Garnish:

• 2 green onions
• 1/4 cup reserved pasta water

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Instructions

1. Prepare a spacious pot with salted water, bringing it to a rolling boil for noodle preparation.
2. Submerge noodles into the bubbling water, cooking until they reach a perfectly tender al dente texture.
3. Carefully drain the noodles, preserving a quarter cup of starchy cooking liquid for potential sauce adjustments.
4. Select a generously sized skillet and melt butter over moderate heat, creating a smooth liquid base.
5. Introduce finely chopped garlic to the melted butter, allowing it to release its aromatic essence without scorching.
6. Seamlessly incorporate soy sauce, oyster sauce, and brown sugar into the buttery garlic mixture, stirring until harmoniously blended.
7. Transfer the cooked noodles directly into the fragrant sauce, gently rotating and coating each strand thoroughly.
8. Should the sauce appear overly dense, gradually introduce reserved pasta water to achieve a silky, clingy consistency.
9. Eliminate heat source and fold in freshly grated Parmesan cheese, ensuring even distribution throughout the noodles.
10. Elevate the dish’s visual and flavor profile by scattering thinly sliced green onions and drizzling sesame oil across the surface.
11. Present the garlic noodles immediately, inviting immediate enjoyment of this savory creation.

Notes

• Prevent noodles from sticking by stirring occasionally during cooking and rinsing with cold water after draining.
• Toast garlic gently to release rich, nutty flavors without burning, which can turn bitter and ruin the sauce.
• Customize the dish by adding protein like shrimp, chicken, or tofu for a more substantial meal.
• Adjust sauce consistency with reserved pasta water, creating a silky texture that clings perfectly to the noodles.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 700 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg