Creamy buttery Noodles: Side dish or Meal in a Jar

If you've been following along, you know I've been sharing some of my favorite homemade Side Meals in a Jar options. I love taking a little time to prepare things ahead so that on busy days, I can still put a homemade meal on the table without spending a lot of time in the kitchen. Knowing exactly what's in our food is an added bonus!

With the summer heat in full swing, I'm even more thankful for these make-ahead pantry mixes. Standing over a hot stove for an hour isn't very appealing when it's already warm outside, and cooking can quickly heat up the whole house. Having recipes like this on the pantry shelf means I can have a delicious side dish ready in about 15 minutes with very little effort.

These Creamy Buttered Noodles have become one of my favorite alternatives to potatoes or rice. They're rich, creamy, and pair well with just about any main dish. If I want to make them into a complete meal, I simply add some freeze-dried chicken and broccoli, making them perfect for a quick lunch or an easy weeknight dinner.

Recently, I shared my recipe for a homemade meltable cheese that makes quick, rich and creamy macaroni and cheese possible without relying on the boxed versions. Here's another one that has earned a permanent spot in my pantry!

Around here, we usually have a "potato" with dinner - whether it's mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, rice, or another starch. But sometimes it's nice to have something different. These homemade noodles are one of our favorite alternatives. They're comforting, flavorful, and couldn't be much easier to prepare.

Everything is mixed together ahead of time, so when dinner is busy, all I have to do is add water and let it simmer. About 15 minutes later, I have a creamy noodle side dish that's ready to serve.

---

Creamy Noodles in a Jar

Ingredients

• 8 ounces fettuccine noodles, broken in half

• 2 tablespoons butter powder

• 1 tablespoon chicken bouillon

• 1 tablespoon instant powdered milk

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

• 1 teaspoon dried parsley

• ½ teaspoon onion powder

• ½ teaspoon garlic powder

• ¼ teaspoon dried basil

• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

• ¼ teaspoon sugar

• ½ teaspoon salt

Add all of the ingredients together and store them in a Pint jar.

*This recipe makes the perfect side dish for about three people, making it just the right size for our family.

To Prepare

Pour the contents of the jar into a saucepan and add:

• 3½ cups water

Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook uncovered for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the noodles are tender and the sauce has thickened.

Remove from the heat and let it stand for 5 minutes before serving. The sauce will continue to thicken as it rests.

---

Make It a Meal

This recipe is easy to customize! If you want to turn it into a complete one-pot meal, add freeze dried chicken or beef and then substitute beef bouillon. You can also add freeze dried broccoli with the meat of your choice and that would make a great take and go instant lunch. If you DO add extra ingredients, don't forget to add extra water when you are ready to prepare to keep the sauce nice and creamy.

This is one of those recipes I love having on the pantry shelf. It gives me another homemade option when I don't want potatoes or rice with dinner, and it comes together in about 15 minutes with very little effort.

Having a few jars like this ready to go makes busy days so much easier, and I love knowing exactly what's in every bite.