Slow Cooker Amish Buttered Noodles
Description
Slow Cooker Amish Buttered Noodles are a comforting, old-fashioned side dish made with egg noodles, butter, rich broth, and simple seasonings. Inspired by traditional Amish cooking, this recipe focuses on simple pantry ingredients that create a creamy, buttery, and satisfying dish. The noodles slowly absorb the flavorful broth while cooking, resulting in tender noodles coated in a silky butter sauce. It pairs wonderfully with roasted chicken, beef, pork, or can be enjoyed as a cozy vegetarian meal.
Recipe Information
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2–2½ hours
- Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cuisine: Amish-American
- Course: Side Dish
- Method: Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 12 ounces (340 g) wide egg noodles
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, sliced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream (optional for extra richness)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Fresh chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Lightly grease the slow cooker with butter or nonstick spray.
- Add chicken broth to the slow cooker.
- Stir in garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and dried parsley.
- Add sliced butter.
- Cover and cook on High for about 30 minutes until the broth is hot.
- Stir in the egg noodles, making sure they are mostly submerged.
- Cover and cook on High for 1½–2 hours, stirring every 20–30 minutes to prevent sticking.
- Once the noodles are tender, stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese if using.
- Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.
Recipe Notes
- Wide egg noodles work best because they hold their shape.
- Stirring occasionally prevents clumping.
- Add extra broth if noodles absorb too much liquid.
- Heavy cream creates a richer texture but isn’t required.
- Butter quality greatly affects flavor.
Tips for Success
- Use real butter rather than margarine.
- Don’t overcook or noodles may become mushy.
- Warm the broth before adding noodles for more even cooking.
- Fresh parsley adds brightness.
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of paprika.
- A little cream cheese can make the sauce even creamier.
- Freshly grated Parmesan melts better than pre-shredded cheese.
Variations
Creamy Version
Add:
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- ¼ cup heavy cream
Cheesy Version
Mix in:
- 1 cup shredded cheddar
- ¼ cup Parmesan
Herb Butter Version
Add:
- Fresh thyme
- Chives
- Dill
- Rosemary
Mushroom Buttered Noodles
Stir in:
- 1 cup sautéed mushrooms
Serving Suggestions
Serve with:
- Roast chicken
- Meatloaf
- Grilled pork chops
- Beef roast
- Fried chicken
- Turkey
- Steamed vegetables
- Green beans
- Garden salad
Storage
Refrigerator
- Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezer
- Freeze for up to 2 months.
- Thaw overnight before reheating.
Reheating
- Microwave with a splash of broth or milk.
- Or warm gently on the stovetop over low heat.
Servings
Serves: 6 people
Approximate Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: 330
- Protein: 8 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
- Fiber: 2 g
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 430 mg
- Calcium: 60 mg
- Iron: 2 mg
Nutrition values are estimates and will vary depending on the specific ingredients used.
Health Benefits
- Egg noodles provide energy-rich carbohydrates.
- Butter contains fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K.
- Chicken broth contributes minerals and hydration.
- Homemade versions allow better control of sodium.
- Parmesan cheese adds protein and calcium.
- Comfort foods like this can promote satisfaction and enjoyment when eaten as part of a balanced diet.
Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)
1. Can I use frozen egg noodles?
Yes. Frozen egg noodles work well but may require 30–45 additional minutes of cooking.
2. Can I make this vegetarian?
Absolutely. Substitute vegetable broth for chicken broth.
3. Can I use salted butter?
Yes. Reduce the added salt to avoid over-seasoning.
4. Why are my noodles mushy?
They likely cooked too long or there was too much liquid. Check for doneness early and stir occasionally.
5. Can I add meat?
Yes. Shredded chicken, diced ham, cooked bacon, or smoked sausage are excellent additions.
6. Can I make it dairy-free?
Use a plant-based butter alternative and omit the cream and Parmesan, or use dairy-free substitutes.
7. Which noodles are best?
Wide egg noodles are the traditional choice for Amish buttered noodles.
8. Can I cook it on Low?
Yes, but the cooking time will increase to about 3–4 hours. Check the noodles periodically to prevent overcooking.
9. How do I make it extra creamy?
Add cream cheese, heavy cream, or a little sour cream at the end of cooking.
10. What leftovers pair well with these noodles?
They make an excellent side for leftover roast chicken, beef, turkey, or pork, and can also be tossed with sautéed vegetables for a quick meal.