Creamy Cafeteria Noodles

Featured in Pasta Night Made Easy.

TikTok’s favorite Creamy Noodles bring the soothing taste of classic school lunches to your table with just 5 ingredients. Simmer egg noodles in a rich chicken base, add a whole stick of butter, and stir in creamy condensed soup. Cover and let it meld together for 40 minutes. It’s easy, quick, and wallet-friendly—ideal for families or sharing at potlucks.
A woman wearing a chef's hat and apron.
Updated on Sat, 05 Apr 2025 22:18:07 GMT
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Buttery School-Style Noodles stir up fond childhood memories while offering rich, velvety goodness in each mouthful. This trending dish has won folks over with its no-fuss prep and deeply satisfying taste, showing that often the simplest items whip up the tastiest meals.

I fixed these noodles for my crew during a cold snap last week, and seeing them wolf down serving after serving reminded me why these old-school dishes stick around. The way the butter mixes with chicken soup to make that smooth sauce took me straight back to my lunch line days.

Key Components

  • Dried Egg Noodles: Go for wide or medium ones to grab more of that sauce
  • Cream of Chicken Soup: Makes the smooth, thick base - it's a must-have
  • Chicken Bouillon: Packs in that deep taste you can't skip for the real deal
  • Chicken Stock: Builds the tasty liquid your noodles will soak up
  • Real Butter: Gives that shiny, rich look everyone loves

Step-By-Step Guide

Getting Your Liquid Ready (5 minutes):
Get chicken stock bubbling in a big pot. Drop in bouillon and mix till it's gone. Keep heat up mid-high. Wait for good bubbles before adding your noodles.
Cooking Your Noodles (8-10 minutes):
Dump egg noodles into the hot stock. Stir a bit so they don't stick together. When it bubbles again, put in cream of chicken soup. Mix until you can't see soup chunks anymore. Let bubble for exactly 2 minutes. Keep an eye on it so it doesn't spill over.
Wrapping It Up (5 minutes):
Take pot off the heat all the way. Put in the whole stick of butter. Put the lid on tight. Wait until butter melts completely. Stir gently to mix it all together. Add more liquid if it looks too thick.
Dishing It Out (2-3 minutes):
Put everything in a nice bowl. Throw on some fresh parsley if you want. Serve while it's hot and smooth. Keep extra butter nearby. Add salt and pepper to your liking.
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When my little ones were being fussy one night, these noodles turned everything around. They couldn't stop smiling after the first bite, and just like that, our night got better. It's funny how the easiest meals can build the strongest family bonds.

Tasty Twists

  • Throw in some frozen peas near the end for a pop of green and some good stuff
  • Mix in store-bought rotisserie chicken to make it a full dinner
  • Cooked mushrooms add a nice rich flavor boost
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Prep-Ahead Pointers

  • Fix it up to half an hour early and just leave it covered in the pot
  • Pour in a bit of warm stock when you warm it back up
  • Add a touch more butter to keep it smooth

Keeping Leftovers Fresh

  • Store what's left in a sealed container for up to 3 days
  • Warm up with some chicken stock to make the sauce runny again
  • Don't stick it in the freezer or it'll get weird

Great Side Matches

  • Put next to baked chicken or pork chops
  • Add some steamed broccoli or fresh greens on the side
  • Finish with a simple oil and vinegar dressing

These School-Style Noodles show that feel-good food doesn't need fancy steps to be amazing. Served for family dinner or brought to a get-together, they always get smiles and folks asking how you made them. The best foods often just take us back to when things were simpler.

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Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why’s this dish trending now?
Its throwback taste and easy steps have charmed TikTok fans everywhere.
→ Is unsalted butter okay to use?
You can, but salted gives the boldest flavor. Adjust salt if needed.
→ What's the purpose of covering the pot?
To trap heat, melt all the butter, and let the noodles soak up the goodness.
→ Can I substitute with other pasta?
While egg noodles work best here, feel free to try alternatives based on your texture preference.
→ Why mix broth and bouillon?
Together, they create the unbeatable, full-bodied chicken flavor this dish is known for.

Cafeteria Noodles

This comforting egg noodle dish has been a hit on TikTok. Packed with rich flavors, easy to prepare, and perfect for anyone craving cozy bites of goodness.

Prep Time
5 Minutes
Cook Time
35 Minutes
Total Time
40 Minutes
By: Susan

Category: Pasta

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 8 Servings

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ Main Ingredients

01 A stick of salted butter (½ cup)
02 10.5 ounces of cream of chicken soup
03 1 chicken bouillon cube
04 Parsley for topping (optional)
05 4 cups of chicken broth
06 16 ounces of egg noodles

Instructions

Step 01

In a big pot, turn the heat to medium-high and get the chicken broth and bouillon cube boiling.

Step 02

Drop the egg noodles into your boiling broth and stir. Let it come back up to a boil.

Step 03

Pour in the cream of chicken soup and give it a stir. Let it bubble for 2 minutes.

Step 04

Take the pot off the heat. Toss in the butter, cover the pot, and wait for the butter to melt. Stir it once more and sprinkle parsley, if you like.

Notes

  1. Trending recipe all over TikTok
  2. Old-school comfort food from cafeterias
  3. A super-easy nostalgic dish

Tools You'll Need

  • A deep skillet or large pot with a lid

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Includes dairy (butter)
  • Has eggs inside (egg noodles)
  • Contains gluten (noodles)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 297
  • Total Fat: ~
  • Total Carbohydrate: ~
  • Protein: ~