These 3-Ingredient Slow Cooker Butter Noodles are tender, rich, and full of simple savory flavor. They make an easy comfort-food side dish for weeknights, holidays, potlucks, or family dinners.
Prep Time: 5 minutes | Cook Time: 2 hours | Servings: 6 to 8
If you are looking for the ultimate easy, comforting, and versatile side dish that practically cooks itself, these 3-Ingredient Slow Cooker Butter Noodles are exactly what you need. Tender egg noodles are slow-cooked in a rich, savory chicken broth and butter mixture, resulting in a dish that is simple, satisfying, and packed with flavor.
They are the perfect accompaniment to roasted chicken, meatloaf, or a holiday ham. They also make a fantastic, fuss-free meal on their own when you need something warm and comforting without a lot of effort.
Why This Recipe Works
This recipe relies on the magic of the slow cooker. Cooking the egg noodles gently in the chicken broth allows them to absorb the savory liquid, resulting in incredibly flavorful and tender noodles. The sliced butter melts into the broth, creating a rich, velvety coating that clings to every noodle. Because the slow cooker traps the moisture, the noodles stay perfectly moist without drying out.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces egg noodles
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 6 tablespoons butter, sliced
- Optional for serving: parsley, black pepper, or grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Pour the chicken broth into the slow cooker and add the sliced butter.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for about 20 minutes, or until the butter is fully melted.
- Add the egg noodles to the slow cooker and gently stir so the noodles are mostly covered by the broth mixture.
- Cover again and cook on HIGH for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, stirring once or twice while they cook, until the noodles are tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
- Stir the noodles well before serving.
- For a richer finish, add a little extra butter and stir until melted.
- Serve warm with parsley, black pepper, or grated parmesan cheese if desired.
Tips for the Best Results
Stir occasionally. Stirring the noodles once or twice during cooking helps them cook evenly and prevents them from sticking together or to the bottom of the slow cooker.
Don’t overcook. Egg noodles can become mushy if cooked too long. Start checking at the 1 1/2 hour mark. They are ready when they are tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
Use low-sodium broth. Using low-sodium chicken broth allows you to control the salt level of the dish. You can always add more salt at the end if needed.
Add extra butter at the end. A little extra butter stirred in just before serving gives the noodles a richer, silkier finish.
Use a slow cooker liner. Because the noodles contain a lot of starch and dairy, a slow cooker liner makes cleanup incredibly easy.
Storage and Serving
Store leftover noodles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave, adding a splash of chicken broth or water to loosen them up. Serve them as a side dish with roasted chicken, meatloaf, or a holiday ham.
Simple, creamy, and completely hands-off, these 3-Ingredient Slow Cooker Butter Noodles are a fantastic recipe to keep in your rotation for easy, comforting meals.