These garlic noodles strike the perfect balance between simple and flavorful, making them an ideal choice for easy dinner recipes for first time cooks. With rich butter and fragrant minced garlic, they create a comforting meal that shines as a side or main dish. Adding a touch of Parmesan cheese brings the flavors together in a way that makes every bite satisfying.
Garlic Noodles
Course: Side, MainCuisine: AsianDifficulty: Easy2
servings10
minutes15
minutes25
minutesA simple yet flavorful dish inspired by Thanh Long’s garlic noodles, perfect as a side or a star ingredient.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon oyster sauce
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons fish sauce
¼ teaspoon sesame oil
1 pinch cayenne pepper
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
8 cloves garlic, minced
6 ounces spaghetti
¼ cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
1 tablespoon chopped green onion
1 pinch red pepper flakes
Directions
- Gather all your ingredients and mix the secret sauce in a small bowl.
- Combine the soy sauce, oyster sauce, Worcestershire sauce, fish sauce, sesame oil, and cayenne pepper. Set it aside.
- Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add the minced garlic and stir it for about a minute until it becomes fragrant.
- Quickly stir in the secret sauce and turn off the heat.
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.
- Cook the spaghetti according to package directions, stirring occasionally until it’s tender but still has a slight bite—about 12 minutes.
- Using tongs, transfer the cooked spaghetti into the skillet with the sauce, bringing a bit of the cooking water along for the ride.
- Toss the noodles until they’re well coated and then sprinkle in the Parmesan cheese.
- If it seems too dry, add a splash more pasta water until it’s just right.
- Plate the noodles and finish with a garnish of green onions and a pinch of red pepper flakes.
What You’ll Need
Gather these ingredients for a delicious serving of garlic noodles:
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons fish sauce
- ¼ teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 8 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 ounces spaghetti
- ¼ cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped green onion (or to taste)
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes
- Large pot for boiling pasta
- Skillet for sauce preparation
- Tongs for tossing noodles
Detailed Cooking Instructions
- Gather all ingredients and mix the secret sauce in a small bowl. Combine soy sauce, oyster sauce, Worcestershire sauce, fish sauce, sesame oil, and cayenne pepper. Set aside.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat. Melt the butter in the skillet.
- Add minced garlic to the melted butter. Stir for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Quickly stir in the secret sauce and turn off the heat.
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.
- Cook spaghetti according to package directions, stirring occasionally until tender but firm to the bite, about 12 minutes.
- Using tongs, transfer the cooked spaghetti to the skillet with the sauce, bringing a bit of the cooking water along.
- Toss the noodles in the sauce until well coated, then sprinkle in the grated Parmesan cheese.
- If the mixture seems too dry, add a splash of reserved pasta water and stir until desired consistency.
- Plate the noodles, then garnish with chopped green onions and a pinch of red pepper flakes.
Tips & Tricks
- To make ahead, prepare the secret sauce and store it in the fridge for up to a week. This will save you time during busy evenings.
- If you want to change up the flavor, try adding a splash of lime juice or a teaspoon of sugar to the sauce for a little zing.
- For a protein boost, toss in cooked shrimp or chicken just before serving.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat in a skillet with a splash of water for best results.
- If the noodles seem too dry after mixing, add more pasta water gradually to reach your desired consistency.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Garlic noodles are a simple pasta dish flavored with garlic, butter, and often Parmesan cheese. They offer a rich and savory taste that pairs well with many meals.
Vegetables like steamed broccoli, sautéed spinach, or a fresh green salad complement garlic noodles nicely. You can also serve them with grilled or roasted meats for a balanced dinner.
Chicken, shrimp, and pork are popular meats to serve with garlic noodles. These proteins add flavor and texture that enhance the dish’s savory garlic butter taste.
Yes, you can add garlic to the water while boiling noodles for extra flavor, but it’s more common to cook garlic separately in oil or butter and then toss it with the noodles. This method keeps the garlic taste strong and aromatic.
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