Best Easy Garlic Noodles Recipe

San Francisco's famous garlic noodles toss buttery pasta in an umami-rich garlic sauce for a quick, irresistible vegetarian meal. This family-friendly dish is simple, addictive, and ready in minutes.

Cook 20 min Difficulty EASY 420 kcal
#vegetarian #family friendly #quick dinner #umami
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Ingredients
Main ingredients
  • spaghetti 12 oz
  • unsalted butter 4 tbsp
  • parmesan cheese, freshly grated 1 cup
  • scallions 2 pieces
Seasonings/Sauce
  • garlic, minced 6 cloves
  • soy sauce 1.5 tbsp
  • oyster sauce 1.5 tbsp
  • brown sugar 2 tsp
  • black pepper 0.5 tsp
Nutrition summary
Carbohydrates 57 g 54%
Protein 12 g 11%
Fat 16 g 35%
Serving size 200g
Cooking steps
  1. 1

    Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil, add spaghetti, and cook until just al dente (about 8-9 minutes). Drain, reserving 1/4 cup pasta water.

  2. 2

    While the pasta cooks, melt the unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until fragrant but not browned.

  3. 3

    Stir in soy sauce, oyster sauce, and brown sugar. Cook the sauce over gentle heat until the sugar dissolves and everything is well combined, about 1 minute.

  4. 4

    Increase heat to medium, add the drained spaghetti to the skillet, and toss rapidly for 1-2 minutes, ensuring all noodles are evenly coated. If the sauce seems dry, splash in some reserved pasta water.

  5. 5

    Remove from heat immediately. Toss in grated Parmesan and sliced scallions; toss quickly until cheese melts and the noodles look glossy. Season with black pepper, adjust to taste, and serve hot.

Personalized Q&A
Q. What's the key ingredient in this garlic noodles recipe?
The star of this dish is fresh garlic, which provides the signature aroma and depth. Along with butter and a blend of soy and oyster sauces, these ingredients create the irresistible umami-rich flavor that defines classic garlic noodles.
Q. How do I prevent the garlic from burning while cooking?
Use medium-low heat when sautéing the minced garlic in butter. Stir constantly and cook just until the garlic is fragrant, about 1-2 minutes—do not let it brown, as burnt garlic can turn bitter and ruin the dish's delicate flavor.
Q. What texture should the noodles have?
For best results, cook the spaghetti until just al dente, then finish in the pan to absorb the flavorful sauce. Overcooking can lead to mushy noodles, while quick tossing with the sauce keeps the texture springy and satisfying.
Q. How many calories and nutrients are in a serving?
Each serving (200g) contains about 420 kcal, with 57g of carbohydrates (54%), 12g protein (11%), and 16g fat (35%). These ratios create a balanced, satisfying vegetarian main dish.
Q. Is this garlic noodles recipe vegetarian?
Yes—this recipe contains no meat, fish, or poultry. Its umami flavor comes from garlic, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and parmesan. Please use a vegetarian oyster sauce if strict vegetarian compliance is necessary.
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