Amish Brown Butter Noodles

Forget everything you thought you knew about comfort food – these Amish Brown Butter Noodles are about to redefine your definition of soul-satisfying. With just a handful of ingredients and minimal effort, you’ll create a dish that tastes like it came straight from an Amish grandmother’s kitchen. The secret? That magical brown butter that transforms ordinary noodles into something extraordinary.

The nutty aroma of brown butter combined with tender, hearty noodles creates a side dish that frequently steals the spotlight from whatever main course you pair it with. These noodles have that perfect balance of richness and simplicity that makes Amish cooking so beloved. The best part? While they taste like they’ve been simmering all day, they’re surprisingly quick to prepare with most of the cooking time being completely hands-off.

Ingredients

For the noodles:

• 4 Tbsp brown butter (½ stick)
• 3½ cups chicken broth
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp chicken broth base or chicken bouillon (optional)
• 12 oz Amish noodles

For serving (optional):

• Extra brown butter for drizzling
• Parsley flakes or fresh parsley for garnish

Steps

1. Place 4 Tbsp butter into a large saucepan over medium heat and cook until browned (caramel-colored), about 3-5 minutes. Watch carefully as butter can go from perfectly browned to burnt quickly. It will have a few dark flecks and develop a wonderful nutty aroma – this is your signal it’s ready. The butter should look like liquid caramel with tiny brown bits at the bottom.
2. Add 3½ cups chicken broth, 1 can cream of chicken soup, ½ tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp bouillon (if using). Whisk continuously until completely smooth, making sure to scrape the bottom of the pan to incorporate all those flavorful brown bits. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, which should take about 4-5 minutes.
3. Add 12 oz Amish noodles to the boiling liquid. Stir gently to ensure all noodles are submerged and bring back to a rolling boil. The noodles will initially float on top – continue stirring until they’re all in the liquid.
4. As soon as the mixture returns to a full boil, immediately turn off the heat and cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid. Let it sit undisturbed for 25-30 minutes. This passive cooking method allows the noodles to slowly absorb the flavorful liquid without becoming mushy. Set a timer for 15 minutes to remind yourself to stir once, then recover and continue resting.
5. After the resting period, remove the lid and stir the noodles. They should be tender but still have a slight bite (al dente). The sauce will have thickened considerably but should still be creamy. If the mixture seems too dry, add 2-3 Tbsp of hot water or broth and stir gently.
6. For serving, drizzle with additional brown butter (about 1-2 tsp per serving) and sprinkle with parsley. The extra brown butter adds another layer of nutty richness that makes these noodles truly special. Serve immediately while hot.
7. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. When reheating, add 1-2 Tbsp of water or broth to restore creaminess. Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through, or on low temperature (300°F/150°C) in the oven for 15-20 minutes covered with foil.

Smart Swaps

• Use whole wheat egg noodles instead of traditional Amish noodles for added fiber and nutrition
• Substitute vegetable broth for chicken broth for a vegetarian version (1:1 ratio)
• Replace cream of chicken soup with cream of mushroom or cream of celery for different flavor profiles
• Add 1 cup of frozen peas during the last 5 minutes of resting time for added color and vegetables

Make It Diabetes-Friendly

• Use reduced-sodium chicken broth to lower the sodium content by approximately 40%
• Substitute regular noodles with Dreamfields pasta or whole grain egg noodles to reduce net carbs by about 30% per serving
• Add 1 cup of diced vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini to increase fiber and reduce the overall glycemic impact
• Consider reducing portion size to ⅔ cup (approximately 35g carbs) and pairing with a protein source to slow glucose absorption

Pro Tips

• For the richest flavor, brown the butter slowly over medium-low heat rather than rushing it
• The soup mixture should be completely smooth before adding noodles to ensure even cooking
• Stirring once during the resting period prevents noodles from clumping together
• For a more substantial meal, add 2 cups of shredded rotisserie chicken when stirring midway through the resting time
• These noodles make an excellent base for a casserole – transfer to a baking dish, top with breadcrumbs and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes until golden