Garlic Noodles Recipe

Introduction

Garlic Noodles are a simple yet flavorful dish that combines tender noodles with a rich, garlicky sauce. This recipe uses everyday ingredients to create a comforting meal that’s perfect for any day of the week.

Ingredients

• 140g (5oz) dried ramen or noodle cakes (2 cakes)
• 30g (2 tbsp) unsalted butter
• 2 tbsp (6 cloves) garlic, finely minced
• 2 tsp oyster sauce (substitute vegetarian oyster sauce if preferred)
• 2 tsp fish sauce (substitute soy sauce if needed)
• 1 1/2 tsp Maggi seasoning (substitute soy sauce if needed)
• 1/4 cup noodle cooking water, more if needed
• 1/4 cup finely grated parmesan, tightly packed (freshly grated)
• 1/4 cup green onion, thinly sliced (about 1 stem)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Cook the noodles in a large saucepan following the package directions. Before draining, scoop out about 1/2 cup of the cooking water. Drain the noodles and set aside.
2. Step 2: In the same saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook, stirring, until soft and fragrant.
3. Step 3: Add the oyster sauce, fish sauce, Maggi seasoning, and 1/4 cup of the reserved cooking water to the pan. Stir to combine well.
4. Step 4: Return the cooked noodles to the pan along with the grated parmesan and sliced green onion. Toss everything together until the noodles are evenly coated and the sauce is absorbed. Add more cooking water, one tablespoon at a time, if the noodles seem dry or sticky.
5. Step 5: Serve the garlic noodles immediately for the best taste and texture.

Tips & Variations

• Add a fried egg on top or toss in steamed broccolini for extra flavor and nutrition.
• If you prefer a vegetarian version, substitute oyster and fish sauce with soy sauce or vegetarian oyster sauce.
• Use freshly grated parmesan for the best melting texture and flavor.
• Adjust the amount of garlic to suit your taste—this recipe is wonderfully garlicky but can be toned down.

Storage

Store leftover garlic noodles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a pan with a splash of water or broth to loosen the noodles and prevent drying out.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other types of noodles?

Yes, you can substitute ramen noodles with spaghetti, udon, or rice noodles. Just adjust the cooking time according to the noodle type.

What can I do if I don’t have Maggi seasoning?

If you don’t have Maggi seasoning, soy sauce works well as a substitute and will still give your sauce plenty of savory depth.

Garlic Noodles Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 81 reviews

Garlic Noodles is a savory and comforting dish featuring tender noodles tossed in a rich garlic butter sauce with layers of umami from oyster sauce, fish sauce, and Maggi seasoning, finished with fresh parmesan and green onions for a perfect balance of flavors. This quick and easy recipe is perfect for a flavorful weeknight dinner or a satisfying side dish.

• Author: Elena
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 2 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Asian Fusion

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Noodles

• 140g / 5oz dried ramen or noodle cakes (2 cakes)

Sauce

• 30g / 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 2 tbsp finely minced garlic (about 6 cloves)
• 2 tsp oyster sauce (substitute vegetarian oyster sauce if desired)
• 2 tsp fish sauce (substitute soy sauce if preferred)
• 1 1/2 tsp Maggi seasoning (soy sauce can substitute)
• 1/4 cup noodle cooking water (more if needed)

Toppings

• 1/4 cup tightly packed finely grated parmesan (freshly grated)
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced green onion (~1 stem)

Instructions

1. Cook the noodles: Boil the dried ramen or noodle cakes in a large saucepan according to the package instructions. Before draining, scoop out about 1/2 cup of the cooking water and set it aside. Drain the noodles and set them aside.
2. Prepare the sauce: In the same large saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the finely minced garlic and cook while stirring until the garlic is soft and fragrant but not browned. Add the oyster sauce, fish sauce, Maggi seasoning, and 1/4 cup of the reserved noodle cooking water. Stir to combine all the ingredients and create a flavorful sauce base.
3. Toss the noodles: Return the cooked noodles to the saucepan. Add the freshly grated parmesan and the sliced green onions. Toss everything together thoroughly so that the noodles are evenly coated with the garlic butter sauce and the parmesan starts to melt into the noodles. If the sauce seems too thick or pooled at the bottom, gradually add additional cooking water one tablespoon at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
4. Serve immediately: Plate the garlic noodles while hot to enjoy their full flavor and perfect texture.
5. Optional serving suggestion: Serve with a fried egg on top and broccolini cooked alongside the noodles. Broccolini can be added to the boiling water before or while cooking the noodles depending on noodle cook time and then tossed with Asian Sesame Dressing for extra flavor.

Notes

• Use ramen or similar dried noodle cakes for authentic texture; other noodles can be substituted but adjust cooking time accordingly.
• Vegetarian oyster sauce and soy sauce substitutes work well for vegetarian or vegan adaptations.
• Maggi seasoning can be substituted with soy sauce, but it provides a distinct flavor.
• Reserve cooking water to loosen the sauce and help it coat the noodles evenly.
• Freshly grated parmesan adds creaminess and umami; use good quality cheese for best results.
• Broccolini cooks quickly (around 3 minutes) and can be cooked with noodles for convenience.

Keywords: garlic noodles, garlic butter noodles, Asian noodles, ramen noodles, quick dinner, easy noodle recipe