Asian Italian Buttered Noodles
on Mar 06, 2026
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Nonna’s of the world, please forgive me, for I have sinned 🫣! I’m taking a classic comfort food staple and adding some Asian flair. You hardly need a recipe for these Asian Italian Buttered Noodles—it’s all about measuring with your heart 💗. Gather your 4 ingredients, set a 10 minute timer, and dinner is served!
Key Takeaways
- This dish combines classic comfort food with Asian flavors, requiring just 4 ingredients and 10 minutes to prepare.
- Buttered parmesan noodles serve as a base, while a dash of soy sauce enhances the flavor profile.
- Variations include adding chili crisp for heat, garlic for richness, or garnishing with scallions and sesame seeds.
- This recipe can easily adapt to gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegan diets with appropriate substitutions.
- Don’t worry about soy sauce on Italian noodles; this dish redefines comfort food while keeping the familiar essence.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love Asian Italian Buttered Noodles
🥰 Buttered parmesan noodles are a no-brainer, easy comfort food that hits the spot every time. But a dash of soy sauce adds the perfect salty flavor.
🐌 Lumache, the shell-shaped pasta named after snails, traps sauce in its cup-like shape, for a flavor burst in each bite.
🍜 The simple addition of a dash of soy sauce takes a cozy bowl of buttered noodles to the next level.
Nonna’s Tip 🧂
Start with less soy sauce than you think you need. You can always add more, but you can’t take it away! Taste as you go and find your perfect balance.
Variations and Substitutions
- Add a spoonful of chili crisp, or your favorite hot sauce, for some additional flavor and heat 🌶️.
- Make garlicky 🧄 buttered pasta: after draining the pasta, set them aside. Return the pot over medium heat and melt the butter. Add 1 clove minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Then add in the pasta, cheese, and soy sauce.
- Garnish with a sprinkle of finely chopped scallions or a dash of sesame seeds.
Best Served With
- A side of crunchy 🫛 Asian Style Green Beans.
- Topped with a soft boiled egg 🥚.
- A light and refreshing Asian Cucumber Salad 🥒.
- A nice piece of crusty bread 🥖.
Similar Recipes
Common Questions
These are NOT Italian noodles. These are a brand new version of comfort food. The soy sauce adds an incredible salty flavor.
Yes, you can use gluten-free Italian pasta, as well as rice-based Asian noodles. Make sure you use a gluten-free tamari, as soy sauce contains gluten.
Yes, you can use your favorite dairy-free butter substitute. You can use olive oil, but that will obviously have a different flavor profile than butter.
You could replace the butter and cheese with plant-based versions, but I do think traditional parmigiano reggiano adds the best flavor.
Asian Italian Buttered Noodles
Ingredients
- 1 cup dry pasta , such as lumache
- 1 tablespoon butter
- ¼ cup parmigiano reggiano cheese, grated
- dash soy sauce, to taste
- splash of pasta water
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in a small pot of boiling salted water, according to package directions.
- Drain the noodles making sure to reserve some of the starchy pasta water. Next, return the drained pasta to the pot. Add the butter, stir well. Add the parmigiano and a splash of the starchy pasta water.
- Lastly, add a dash of soy sauce and stir again. Taste for seasoning, and add more soy sauce, if desired. Enjoy!
Nonna’s Notes
- Storage: Best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat on the stovetop with a small splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce back up.
- Soy sauce: Not all soy sauces are created equal. A low-sodium soy sauce gives you more control over saltiness. Start with a small dash and taste as you go.
- Pasta shape matters: Lumache is chef’s kiss for this recipe because the little cup shape holds all that deliciousness, but any short pasta works in a pinch!
- Make it a meal: Toss in some rotisserie chicken, a jammy soft-boiled egg 🥚, or sautéed mushrooms to bulk it up!
- Ingredient quantities: Measure with your heart ❤️. All quantities are approximate—adjust the butter, parm, and soy sauce to suit your taste.
My Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
