Description
Cafeteria Noodles bring back nostalgic memories of school lunches, offering a simple and satisfying dish with a hearty, flavorful sauce. Perfectly cooked noodles in a creamy, tangy sauce make this an easy comfort food for any time of day.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz egg noodles (or your preferred pasta)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk (whole milk for creaminess)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for added flavor)
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the noodles: Cook the egg noodles according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make the sauce: In a large skillet or saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and stir for 1-2 minutes to form a roux (a thick paste).
- Add the milk: Gradually pour in the milk, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Continue to cook and stir until the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes.
- Season the sauce: Stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed.
- Combine the noodles: Add the cooked noodles to the skillet with the sauce, stirring to coat the pasta evenly in the creamy sauce.
- Finish and serve: If desired, stir in grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavor. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- For added protein: You can add cooked chicken, ground beef, or sausage to make this a more filling meal.
- For extra creaminess: Use heavy cream or half-and-half in place of some of the milk.
- Vegetarian option: This recipe is already vegetarian. Add vegetables like peas, spinach, or bell peppers to make it even more hearty.
- Storage: Leftover cafeteria noodles can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop with a splash of milk to bring back the creaminess.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 330
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 35mg