Easy Garlic Noodles

Name: Easy Garlic Noodles
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 12 oz (340 g) spaghetti or noodles of choice; 4 tbsp (1/2 stick) unsalted butter (or 3 tbsp butter + 1 tbsp oil); 4–6 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 tbsp); 2 tbsp brown sugar (or 1 1/2 tbsp honey); 2 tbsp oyster sauce (or 2 tbsp hoisin + 1 tsp soy sauce); 1 tbsp soy sauce; 1–2 tsp fish sauce (optional; omit for milder flavor); 1/2 tsp chicken bouillon powder (or 1 tsp chicken broth concentrate; optional); 2–4 tbsp pasta cooking water (as needed); 2 scallions, sliced; Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional); Toasted sesame seeds or chili flakes, for serving (optional)

7 steps

Cook:20min

A simplified, weeknight-friendly version of garlic butter noodles with an easy savory-sweet sauce. Uses pantry staples and optional add-ins.

Updated at: Sat, 03 Oct 2026 12:47:03 GMT

Nutrition balance score

Unbalanced

Glycemic Index

Moderate

Glycemic Load

High

Nutrition per serving

Calories450.5 kcal (23%)

Total Fat12.8 g (18%)

Carbs71.4 g (27%)

Sugars7.6 g (8%)

Protein12.1 g (24%)

Sodium477.8 mg (24%)

Fiber3 g (11%)

% Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Ingredients

4 servings

340gspaghetti

or noodles of choice

4 Tbspunsalted butter

tbsp butter + 1 tbsp oil

4 clovesgarlic

minced

2 Tbspbrown sugar

or 1 1/2 tbsp honey

2 Tbspoyster sauce

or 2 tbsp hoisin + 1 tsp soy sauce

1 Tbspsoy sauce

1 tspfish sauce

optional, omit for milder flavor

½ tspchicken bouillon powder

or 1 tsp chicken broth concentrate, optional

2 Tbsppasta cooking water

for serving, optional

Toasted sesame seeds

or chili flakes, for serving, optional

Instructions

Step 1

Cook noodles: Boil spaghetti in salted water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.

Step 2

Mix sauce: In a small bowl, stir together brown sugar, oyster sauce, soy sauce, fish sauce (if using), and bouillon (if using).

Step 3

Sauté garlic: In a large skillet or wok over medium heat, melt butter (and oil if using). Add garlic and cook 30–60 seconds until fragrant (don’t let it brown).

Step 4

Combine: Add drained noodles to the pan. Pour in the sauce and toss well.

Step 5

Loosen and gloss: Add 2–4 tbsp reserved pasta water a splash at a time, tossing until the noodles look glossy and the sauce coats evenly.

Step 6

Finish: Turn off heat. Toss in scallions. Taste and adjust with a small splash of soy sauce for salt or a pinch of sugar for sweetness.

Step 7

Serve: Top with Parmesan and optional sesame seeds or chili flakes. Serve immediately.