If you're looking for a super quick weeknight win, these buttered egg noodles with feta cheese are about to become your new best friend. This easy stove top recipe comes together in just 20 minutes, and is a kid-approved side dish that pairs beautifully with everything from roasted chicken to fish sticks. It's the ultimate low-effort comfort food that looks a little fancy with a sprinkle of feta but takes hardly any time at all!
These easy buttered noodles are my favorite weeknight go-to because they're budget-friendly, kid-approved, and ready in just 20 minutes. They pair perfectly with everything from chicken patties to Swedish Meatballs, and microwaved veggies to Chickpea Feta Cucumber Salad. These velvety noodles can even turn into a main dish when you double the recipe!
It really couldn't be easier: boil the noodles, melt in the butter, and stir in your feta and seasonings. Top it with some fresh green herbs for a pop of color and you've got a delicious side dish on the table without the stress.
Pro tip: For an added flavor boost, drizzle the buttered noodles with some Ranch or Creamy Feta Dressing--and prepare to be amazed! (Your taste buds can thank me later 😉.)
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🥘Ingredients
- wide egg noodles - these broad, flat noodles are the perfect comfort base because their large surface area is designed to catch and hold onto every bit of melted butter
- salted butter - adds an immediate layer of rich, savory fat that coats the noodles and gives the dish its signature silky texture
- salt & pepper - this classic duo is essential for brightening the overall flavor and ensuring the simple ingredients really pop on your palate
- crumbled feta cheese - feta brings a tangy, salty bite that cuts through the richness of the butter, giving the recipe a fresh Mediterranean twist
- fresh basil or parsley - a sprinkle of fresh herbs adds a necessary burst of color and a clean, aromatic finish that makes the whole meal feel much more gourmet
See recipe card for quantities.
🔪Instructions
- Step 1: Cook noodles according to package directions. Add butter and seasonings, cover and allow to melt.
- Step 2: Stir the melted butter into the noodles and mix to incorporate flavors. Remove from heat; stir in feta and top with chopped herbs.
Hint: You don’t need to turn the stove back on to melt the butter for these buttered egg noodles. Simply add the butter and seasonings to the pot while the noodles are still hot, cover, and let them sit for a few minutes until silky and melted!
🥣Substitutions
- Noodles - if you don't have wide egg noodles, you can easily swap them for fettuccine, pappardelle, or even rotini pasta
- Butter - for a dairy-free version, replace the salted butter with a high-quality vegan butter or a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil
- Feta Cheese - if you find feta too tangy, try crumbled goat cheese for a creamier texture or freshly grated Parmesan for a more mild, salty finish
📖Variations
- Browned Butter & Herb - instead of just melting the butter, cook it in a skillet for 5-6 minutes until golden brown and nutty to create browned butter egg noodles; toss with fresh sage or rosemary for a deeper, gourmet flavor
- Garlic & Mediterranean - sauté minced garlic with the butter before mixing to make zesty garlic butter noodles; for a fresh twist, stir in halved cherry tomatoes, spinach, or black olives to lean into the viral Mediterranean feta trend
- Zesty Lemon & Walnut - add fresh lemon juice and zest to brighten the dish and cut through the rich butter; top with toasted walnuts and fresh mint to transform it into a traditional Turkish-style comfort meal
See Seasoned Oven Roasted Potatoes for another easy, kid approved side!
🍽Equipment
- medium saucepan with lid
🍶Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. To keep them silky, reheat with a splash of water or an extra pat of butter to loosen up those delicious egg noodles!
💭Top tip
For the most flavorful buttered egg noodles, generously salt your boiling water—it should taste "salty as the sea" to season the noodles from the inside out. To achieve that perfect silky texture, drain but never rinse your noodles; keeping that natural starch helps the melted butter and tangy feta cling to every curve for a truly velvety finish.
🗨️FAQ
The secret is to use plenty of boiling salted water and to keep stirring—especially during the first few minutes of cooking. To prevent sticking after draining, never rinse your noodles; instead, toss them immediately with your butter.
Yes, buttered noodles (without feta cheese) freeze beautifully for up to 2–3 months. For the best results, cook them al dente before freezing; if they are too soft, they may become mushy when thawed and reheated.
While a classic comfort food, you can make them more nutrient-dense by using whole wheat egg noodles or adding fresh vegetables like chopped spinach or peas during the last few minutes of boiling.
🥄Related
Looking for other easy side dish recipes? Try these:
🍴Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Buttered Egg Noodles:
📋Recipe
Buttered Egg Noodles (with Feta Cheese)
Equipment
- medium saucepan with lid
Ingredients
- 8 oz. wide egg noodles dry measurement
- 4 tablespoon (½ stick) salted butter sliced
- salt & pepper to taste
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ¼ cup fresh basil or parsley chopped
Instructions
- Boil noodles in salted water according to package directions. Drain, but do not rinse.
- Return saucepan to stove with drained noodles, but away from hot burner. Add sliced butter and seasonings; cover and allow to rest for 5 minutes while butter melts.
- Uncover, add feta, and stir to incorporate.
- Plate immediately. Top individual servings with chopped basil or parsley and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Please note that nutritional information is provided by a third party service and is intended for guidance purposes only. KitchenReadyBetty.com makes no claims to its accuracy.
Heidi says
Quick and easy... your yummy recipe is just what my meatless Monday's have been looking for! The feta and butter add so much amazing creamy rich goodness to the pasta. But I also loved your tip to brown the butter for an extra added pop of flavor. So yum!!
Kitchen Ready Betty says
Hi Heidi! I’m so glad you enjoyed the Buttered Egg Noodles with Feta! There’s something so satisfying about the way the salty feta cheese melts into those tender egg noodles. It really is the ultimate easy pasta side dish for busy nights. If you love that Mediterranean vibe, you should definitely try my easy Mediterranean Bean Salad next next—it pairs perfectly with these noodles! Thanks for the lovely review!