Description
Asian Garlic Noodles are a flavorful and comforting dish featuring thin spaghetti or Chinese-style noodles tossed in a rich garlic butter sauce with oyster sauce, soy sauce, and a hint of sweetness. Finished with scallions and Parmesan cheese, this easy-to-make recipe delivers a perfect balance of savory, umami, and slightly sweet flavors that make it a delicious quick meal or side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Noodles
- 12 ounces thin spaghetti (340g; can also use dried Chinese noodles or fresh egg noodles)
- Salt (for boiling water)
Sauce and Toppings
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 8 cloves garlic, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1/8 teaspoon turmeric (optional)
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (or vegetarian oyster sauce)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1–2 teaspoons brown sugar (depending on your taste)
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1–2 whole scallions, chopped
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the Noodles: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the noodles or pasta according to package instructions. If using fresh noodles, a simple blanching will suffice. Reserve some of the pasta cooking water before draining, as it may be needed later to adjust the sauce consistency.
- Make the Garlic Sauce: While the noodles cook, heat the unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced garlic and cook for about 5 minutes until the garlic is lightly caramelized and aromatic. Stir in the optional turmeric, oyster sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, and sesame oil. Cook the mixture for one more minute to blend the flavors.
- Add Scallions: Mix in the chopped scallions and cook for 30 seconds until they start to wilt, enhancing the aroma and texture of the sauce.
- Toss Noodles with Sauce: Add the cooked noodles to the skillet along with the Parmesan cheese. Toss everything together thoroughly so that the noodles are evenly coated with the flavorful garlic sauce. If the sauce is too thick or sticky, add a few tablespoons of the reserved noodle cooking water to loosen it to your preferred consistency.
- Serve: Immediately serve the Asian Garlic Noodles hot as a satisfying meal or a delicious accompaniment to your favorite Asian-inspired dishes.
Notes
- Using oyster sauce imparts a rich umami flavor; vegetarian oyster sauce can be used as a plant-based alternative.
- If you prefer less sweetness, adjust the amount of brown sugar according to taste.
- Parmesan cheese adds a creamy and savory note, but it can be omitted or replaced with a vegan cheese for a dairy-free variation.
- Reserve pasta water before draining to help achieve the perfect sauce consistency.
- Turmeric is optional and adds a subtle color and earthy flavor but can be skipped without affecting the overall taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Entree
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
Keywords: Asian garlic noodles, garlic butter noodles, easy noodle recipe, oyster sauce noodles, quick Asian pasta
