Garlic Noodles
Spaghetti tossed in a sauce of butter, plenty of garlic, oyster sauce and soy, finished with Parmesan and spring onions. The San Francisco noodle dish made in 25 minutes.
How to Make Garlic Noodles
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Cook the spaghetti in a large pan of boiling water according to the packet, until just tender. Keep a mugful of the cooking water, then drain.
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Melt the butter in a large frying pan over low heat, add the garlic, and cook for 2 minutes, stirring, until fragrant and just turning gold.
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Stir in the oyster sauce, soy sauce, sugar and pepper with 60 ml of the pasta water and simmer for 1 minute, until glossy.
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Add the drained noodles and toss for 1 minute, adding a splash more water if the sauce looks tight.
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Take the pan off the heat and toss with the Parmesan.
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Serve topped with the spring onions and sesame seeds.
Tips for Making Garlic Noodles
- Cook the garlic over low heat and stop when it is pale gold. Garlic that catches turns bitter, and there is a lot of it here.
- Use the pasta water. Its starch turns the butter and sauce into a smooth, glossy coating that clings to the noodles.
- Serve at once. Noodles tossed in a buttery sauce tighten as they cool, and are at their best straight from the pan.
Common Substitutions & Variations
- Out of spring onions? A small regular onion, finely sliced, or a few chives stirred in at the end both cover the job.
- An eighth of a teaspoon of garlic powder per clove is the usual stand-in when you are out of fresh garlic — it will not caramelise the same way, but it carries the flavour.
What to Serve with Garlic Noodles
- Grilled prawns
- Fried egg
- Cucumber salad
Storing & Reheating Garlic Noodles
Best eaten at once. Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 2 days and reheat in a pan with a splash of water to loosen the sauce. Not suitable for freezing.
Garlic Noodles FAQ: Common Questions
How long does Garlic Noodles take to make?
About 25 minutes in total — 10 minutes of preparation and 15 minutes of cooking. The recipe serves 3.
What are the key tips for making Garlic Noodles?
Cook the garlic over low heat and stop when it is pale gold. Garlic that catches turns bitter, and there is a lot of it here. Use the pasta water. Its starch turns the butter and sauce into a smooth, glossy coating that clings to the noodles. Serve at once. Noodles tossed in a buttery sauce tighten as they cool, and are at their best straight from the pan.
What should I serve with Garlic Noodles?
Grilled prawns; Fried egg; Cucumber salad.
Can Garlic Noodles be made ahead or frozen?
Best eaten at once. Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 2 days and reheat in a pan with a splash of water to loosen the sauce. Not suitable for freezing.
How many calories are in Garlic Noodles?
About 554 kcal per serving, with 16 g protein, 73 g carbohydrate and 22 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.
Garlic Noodles Nutrition
Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.
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Written and tested by Turab
One person, one kitchen — no test kitchen, no team. How every recipe on this site is checked before it goes up.
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