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Cafeteria Noodles Recipe

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4.4 from 3 reviews

Cafeteria Noodles is a creamy, comforting dish made by simmering egg noodles in a savory mixture of chicken broth, cream of chicken soup, and butter. This simple, nostalgic recipe is perfect for a quick family meal, delivering rich flavors and tender noodles in just 25 minutes.

Ingredients

Broth Base

  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 1 chicken bouillon cube

Noodles and Sauce

  • 16 ounces egg noodles
  • 1 10.5-ounce can cream of chicken soup
  • ½ cup salted butter

Garnish

  • Fresh parsley (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the broth: Add the chicken broth and chicken bouillon cube to a large pot or deep skillet with a lid. Heat over medium-high heat until the broth comes to a rolling boil, ensuring the bouillon cube is fully dissolved.
  2. Cook the noodles: Stir in the egg noodles and allow the liquid to return to a boil. Stir occasionally to prevent the noodles from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
  3. Add the cream soup: Mix in the can of cream of chicken soup and stir until it is fully combined with the broth. Let the mixture boil gently for about 2 minutes to thicken the sauce slightly.
  4. Finish with butter: Remove the pot from heat and add the salted butter. Cover with a lid and let it sit for a few minutes until the butter melts completely, infusing the noodles with rich creaminess.
  5. Serve: Stir the noodles well to coat them evenly with the creamy sauce. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired, then serve warm and enjoy this comforting meal.

Notes

  • Use salted butter for richness, but you can substitute unsalted butter and adjust salt to taste.
  • For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth and a vegetarian bouillon cube.
  • Fresh parsley adds a nice color and mild herb flavor but is optional.
  • This dish reheats well; add a splash of milk or broth when warming to keep it creamy.
  • Egg noodles can be substituted with other pasta shapes like rotini or shells if desired.