Cafeteria Noodles Recipe
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This cafeteria noodles recipe is tiktok famous because they are delicious, easy, inexpensive and even your pickiest eater will love these.
Cafeteria noodles are great for a side dish but I could eat them all on their own as a meal. Egg noodles, cream of chicken, chicken stock and butter come together to make these rich, creamy flavorful noodles. Serve them with some marry me chicken, brussels sprouts salad, or 40 clove garlic chicken!
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Cafeteria Noodles Recipe
Cafeteria Noodles Recipe
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Why you’ll love this recipe!
📌 5 simple ingredients!
📌 Perfect as a side dish to any meal but also works as the main dish!
📌 Ready in just over 30 minutes for easy weeknight cooking!
📌 An easy one pot dish perfect for any meal!
Cafeteria Noodles Ingredients
- Chicken stock – Homemade or store bought. Stock is more flavorful, but chicken broth will work in this recipe as well.
- Bouillon – Chicken bouillon cube.
- Noodles – Egg noodles (try going all out and making our homemade egg noodles!)
- Cream of chicken soup – Any brand will work.
- Butter – Unsalted.
- Parsley – For garnish.
How do you make cafeteria noodles at home? (step-by-step directions)
⭐ First, add chicken stock and bouillon cube to a large pot and bring to a boil. Add noodles and stir.
⭐ Next, return the stock to a boil, add the cream of chicken soup and stir.
⭐ Then, bring the mixture back to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in the stick of butter.
⭐ Finally, cover with a lid and let sit until noodles are cooked. Top with parsley and serve.
Scroll down to the printable recipe card toward the bottom of this article for ingredient measurements and detailed cooking instructions.
Preparation
What are cafeteria noodles?
This noodle recipe has gone viral on TikTok because they bring back the nostalgia of school cafeteria flavors. If you didn’t have these delicious and budget friendly noodles served to you in your grade school years, here is your chance to find out why everyone is raving about them!
What kind of noodles do I use for cafeteria noodles?
We like egg noodles for this recipe because they cook to the perfect al dente in the given time. However, you could use any short pasta you have on hand and adjust the cook time accordingly.
What if I don’t have chicken stock on hand?
Chicken broth can be used in place of the chicken stock. There won’t be quite the same depth of flavor but you’ll still end up with some delicious noodles.
Leftovers and storage
How long do cafeteria noodles last?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Can I freeze cafeteria noodles?
The texture will be better if eaten fresh but if you have too many leftovers and no room in the fridge, go ahead and freeze them.
Allow the noodles to cool to room temperature and store in an airtight container. Freeze for up to 3 months. You can loosen the noodles and revive the sauce with a little extra chicken stock when re-heating.
Tips and tricks
✅ Add some chopped cooked chicken or diced ham to make it a full meal.
✅ Throw in some red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne to bring some heat to the dish.
✅ We top this with fresh parsley but you can also garnish with green onions.
✅ Try adding some freshly shaved or grated parmesan to the top before serving for even more flavor!
Frequently asked questions
Can I use gluten-free noodles for this recipe?
Yes, you can use gluten-free egg noodles or another gluten-free pasta option to make this recipe suitable for those with gluten sensitivities or allergies. Be sure to follow the recommended cooking times for your specific gluten-free noodles.
Are there any alternatives to cream of chicken soup?
If you prefer not to use cream of chicken soup, you can substitute it with cream of mushroom soup, cream of celery soup, or a homemade cream sauce. Each option will impart a slightly different flavor to the dish, allowing you to customize it to your taste.
Can I make cafeteria noodles with fresh herbs instead of parsley?
Absolutely! You can use fresh herbs like cilantro, chives, basil, or dill for garnish instead of parsley to add a different flavor profile to the noodles.
What’s the best way to reheat leftover noodles?
Add the leftover noodles to a saucepan or skillet over medium heat. You can revive the sauce by adding a little extra chicken stock and stirring occasionally until heated through.
Microwave reheating is also an option, but be sure to stir and add extra liquid if needed to prevent drying out.
What to eat with our cafeteria noodles recipe (serving suggestions)
These simple noodles are the perfect side dish for any weeknight meal. Make them with some crock pot cube steak, caprese chicken, or chicken parmesan.
More delicious noodle recipes
- Garlic noodles
- Sesame noodles
- Zucchini noodles
- Peanut butter ramen
- Lemon pasta
- One pot pasta
- See all our delicious noodle recipes!
Favorite mains to pair with your noodles
- Stuffed peppers
- Mahi Mahi tacos
- Meatball casserole
- Sheet pan meatloaf
- Crock pot stuffed shells
- Baked gnocchi
- See all our main dish recipes!
Tools we love
- Enameled cast iron pot – This is a great and super versatile pot that can be used in both the oven and on the stove top.
- Wooden spatula – My wooden spatulas are my absolute favorite to stir with. I don’t know why, but I feel like a real cook when I use them.
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How to Make Cafeteria Noodles
Cafeteria Noodles Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups chicken stock
- 1 chicken bouillon cube
- 16 ounces egg noodles
- 1 can cream of chicken soup 10.5 ounces
- 1 stick butter (½ cup)
- optional garnish: parsley
Instructions
- Add chicken stock and bouillon cube to a large pot or deep skillet with a lid. Bring to a boil over medium high heat.
- Add noodles to boiling stock, stir, and bring back to a gentle boil. Stir in the cream of chicken soup and simmer for 2 minutes more.
- Remove from heat, stir in butter, cover, and allow to rest for 20 minutes. Garnish before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
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I didnt know that this was another name for these, but thank you so much for bringing some nostalgia back into my kitchen!
I had never heard of cafeteria noodles, but they sure were delicious!
These noodles were a huge hit with my picky kids! I served with raw carrots and apple slices and you’d have thought they were eating prime rib – haha.
We’ve made these twice when we’ve made beef tips. We use beef broth instead of chicken broth and cream of mushroom instead of cream of chicken. We prefer this so much better than mashed potatoes or plain noodles!
These were great. I also saw the crock pot cube steak and cannot wit to make it. As always such great recipes and easy to follow directions.