Creamy Cafeteria Noodles

Featured in Pasta Perfection: Simple to Spectacular.

These TikTok-famous Cafeteria Noodles bring the cozy taste of school lunches with just 5 ingredients. Egg noodles are simmered in chicken stock and bouillon, made creamy with condensed soup and melted butter under a lid. Ready in 40 minutes with minimal effort, it's an affordable, crowd-pleasing option for dinner or gatherings.
A chef holding a plate of food.
Updated on Mon, 24 Mar 2025 23:20:39 GMT
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Buttery School-Style Noodles transport you back to childhood lunchtime while giving you that warm, creamy goodness in every mouthful. This trendy dish has won over fans with its quick prep and totally satisfying outcome, showing that often the simplest stuff makes the tastiest meals.

I fixed these noodles for my bunch during a cold night last week, and seeing them go for seconds and thirds made me remember why we love old-school dishes. The way the butter mixes with the chicken soup for that smooth sauce took me straight back to my own school lunch days.

Key Ingredients

  • Egg Noodles: Go for wide or medium ones to grab more of that yummy sauce
  • Cream of Chicken Soup: Makes everything silky smooth - this can't be swapped out
  • Chicken Bouillon: Gives that real flavor kick you can't skip
  • Chicken Stock: Makes the tasty liquid base
  • Butter: Adds that shiny finish we all want

Step-By-Step Guide

Getting Your Stock Ready (5 minutes):
Get chicken stock bubbling in a big pot. Drop in your bouillon and mix till it's gone. Keep the heat up. Wait for good bubbles before tossing in noodles.
Cooking Your Noodles (8-10 minutes):
Dump egg noodles into the bubbling stock. Give a quick stir so they don't stick together. Let it bubble again and pour in cream of chicken soup. Mix until it's all blended. Let it bubble exactly 2 minutes. Keep an eye on it so it doesn't spill over.
Wrapping It Up (5 minutes):
Turn off the heat. Drop in your whole stick of butter. Put the lid on tight. Wait for butter to melt all the way. Stir it gently. Add more liquid if it seems too thick.
Getting It To The Table (2-3 minutes):
Scoop into your serving dish. Throw some parsley on top if you want. Eat while it's hot and gooey. Keep extra butter nearby. Add salt and pepper if needed.
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These noodles saved the day when my kids were being fussy one night. They perked right up after their first taste, and suddenly everything was better. Sometimes it's the easy dishes that bring us closest together.

Tasty Twists

  • Throw in some frozen peas at the end for color and health
  • Mix in store-bought rotisserie chicken for a full meal
  • Toss in cooked mushrooms for a deeper flavor
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Prep Ahead Ideas

  • Fix it 30 minutes early and just leave it covered in the pot
  • Pour in a bit of warm stock when you warm it up
  • Add a little more butter when reheating to keep it smooth

Keeping Leftovers Fresh

  • Store what's left in a sealed container up to 3 days
  • Add chicken stock while reheating to make sauce creamy again
  • Don't put it in the freezer or it'll get weird

Great Side Matches

  • Go with oven-baked chicken or pork chops on the side
  • Add some steamed broccoli or a green salad
  • Try a light tangy dressing alongside

These School-Style Noodles show that heartwarming food doesn't need fancy tricks to be amazing. Whether it's just family dinner or you're taking it to a gathering, it always gets smiles and folks asking how you made it. The best food often takes us back to those carefree days we remember fondly.

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Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why's this dish all over TikTok?
Because it’s easy to make, nostalgic, and super comforting!
→ What if I don’t have salted butter?
Unsalted butter works, but just add extra salt for taste.
→ What’s the point of covering the pot?
That trick helps the noodles soak up flavor and lets the butter melt evenly.
→ Can I swap out the noodles?
Egg noodles are perfect for their texture, but you can try others if needed.
→ Why mix stock and bouillon?
You get a deep, hearty chicken flavor that sets this dish apart.

Cafeteria Noodles

These comforting, creamy egg noodles have gone viral on TikTok thanks to their simple flavors and nostalgia, making it a perfect pick for quick, tasty comfort food.

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

Category: Pasta

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 8 Servings

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ Core Components

01 1 stick (½ cup) of salted butter
02 4 cups chicken broth
03 16 ounces of egg noodles
04 1 chicken bouillon cube
05 10.5-ounce can of creamy chicken soup
06 Optional parsley for fancy finishing

Instructions

Step 01

In a big pot over medium heat, bring the chicken broth and bouillon cube to a rolling boil.

Step 02

Toss the egg noodles into the bubbling broth. Stir it up and wait for the boil to come back.

Step 03

Stir the cream of chicken soup into the boiling mixture. Let it bubble for a couple of minutes.

Step 04

Turn off the heat, mix in the butter, and cover the pot. Once the butter’s melted, stir again. Sprinkle parsley on top if you're feeling fancy.

Notes

  1. Popular on TikTok
  2. Old-school comfort food vibes
  3. Easy and nostalgic side dish

Tools You'll Need

  • One big pot or a deep pan with a lid

Allergy Information

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