These creamy cafeteria noodles are a classic side dish using egg noodles cooked in broth, cream of chicken soup, and butter.
Creamy Cafeteria Noodles
From the recipe collection of Tara Ippolito
These creamy cafeteria noodles are a classic and absolutely delicious side dish.

If you’ve never had these before, they’re the next-level version of buttered noodles but way better.
This dish looks so simple, but trust me when I tell you that it’s loaded with lots of incredible flavor.

My mother used to make this for my siblings and me all the time growing up.
I never knew it had a name until one day, I was scrolling through social media and saw a video of someone calling them Cafeteria Noodles.

I'm assuming it got its name from where it was first made, and that makes so much sense.
They’re so easy to put together, and everyone absolutely loves them.
It’s a fantastic side dish for any meal, and it takes less than 20 minutes to put together.

Now, my family loves it when I make this for them, too.
I hope you give this recipe a try. I know that if you do, it will become an instant favorite of yours too.
Fast. Simple. Delicious.
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Creamy cafeteria noodle variations
Here are some great ways to adjust this recipe.

- Cream of Chicken Soup: Swap out the chicken flavored soup for any other “Cream Of” variety.
- Broth: Low sodium vegetable broth can be used instead of chicken.
- Add-In’s: Add a cooked protein, like shredded chicken, and any vegetable to make it a complete meal.
What can I serve with these creamy cafeteria noodles?
These noodles go great with just about anything you can think of, so choose whatever you’re in the mood for.
If you add some shredded chicken and vegetables to the noodles, they can even be eaten as a full meal by themselves.

If you serving these as a side dish, I love them with any protein like steak or chicken and a vegetable like these Frozen Roasted Green Beans on the side.
Creamy cafeteria noodle ingredients

- Egg noodles
- Cream of chicken soup
- Low sodium chicken broth
- Better Than Bullion or Knorr Chicken Bullion
- Black pepper
- Butter
- Parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
First, in a large pot with a lid, add the chicken broth and heat it over medium-high heat.

Now, stir in the Better Than Bullion and pepper.

Then add the cream of chicken soup and butter, and stir everything together until the butter is melted and the ingredients are evenly combined.

Next, add the egg noodles and spread them around until they’re evenly submerged in the liquid.

Now, let the noodles boil for two minutes.

After that, place the lid on top of the pot and turn off the heat. (Keep the pot on the same burner)

Now, leave the lid closed for 10 minutes to let the noodles cook fully.

Finally, remove the lid and give the noodles one last stir before serving.

Then, garnish with parsley (optional), let them cool slightly to thicken up a bit, and enjoy.


Creamy Cafeteria Noodles
Equipment
- 1 large pot with a lid
Ingredients
- 12 oz Egg Noodles
- 32 oz Chicken Broth (low sodium)
- 2 teaspoon Better Than Bullion
- 1 10.5 oz Cream of Chicken Soup
- Pepper to taste
- ½ stick Butter
- Parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- First, in a large pot with a lid, add the chicken broth over medium high heat.
- Now, stir in the Better Than Bullion and pepper.
- Then add the cream of chicken soup and butter and stir everything together until the butter is melted and the ingredients are evenly combined.
- Next, add the egg noodles and spread them around until they’re evenly submerged in the liquid.
- Now let the noodles boil for two minutes then place the lid on top of the pot and turn off heat. (Keep the pot on the same burner)
- Now, leave the lid closed for 10 minutes and let the noodles cook fully.
- Finally, remove the lid and give the noodles one last stir before serving. Garnish with parsley (optional), let them cool slightly to thicken up a bit and enjoy.
Anonymous says
What can I use instead of better than Bullion?
Al Dente Diva says
Any kind of chicken bullion would work. If you’re not into using that, I’d suggest you just season it according to what you like
Anonymous says
Can you use other noodles? If you don't have eggnoodles
Bob says
Made this tonight using what I had on hand. It was SO GOOD. This recipe is a keeper!
Al Dente Diva says
I’m so so happy to hear that you liked it
Al Dente Diva says
He’s absolutely! Just adjust cooking times because eggnoodles are thin and cook faster
Anonymous says
I made this, but added green chile and chicken thighs. It came out so good.
Al Dente Diva says
That sounds so good!!
Anonymous says
Can I make a couple hours ahead..we have sports practice in the evening and when everyone gets home they are STARVING and want something right then. I was thinking if I could make ahead and then serve with rotisserie chicken and a vegetable.
Al Dente Diva says
Sure! I’d leave them lidded on the stove off the burner. You can reheat them easily. I hope you like them!
Anonymous says
Perfect, my youngest is getting his braces adjusted today and these noodles will be easy for him to chew, cannot wait to try.
Cindy says
Delicious!! Added a bit more chicken broth and shredded rotisserie chicken and broccoli and the family loved it. Love your recipes!
Anonymous says
I made these last night and they are absolute perfection! Awesome just the way they are.
Al Dente Diva says
So so happy to hear that. Thank you
Anonymous says
Just made this tonight. We added shredded rotisserie chicken and served with oyster crackers. Was sooooo yummy.
Al Dente Diva says
Love that you added chicken so happy you liked it
Anonymous says
Absolutely delicious!! Loved by everyone in my house!
Marie Christensen says
Are the noodles cooked tender,or are they al dente?
Anonymous says
Added ranch seasoned chicken thighs and a bag of mixed veggies....delicious! Thank you for a easy meal tonight that my family actually enjoyed ?
CJ Black says
I really dislike it when recipes don't include serving amounts, and will generally just scroll on by. How many people does this serve?
Al Dente Diva says
A pound of pasta generally feeds 6-8 depending on how you’re serving it. If it’s a main course less, if it’s a side dish more.
Tracy says
I’ve made this twice now, and tomorrow will be the third time. My entire household of fussy eaters all love it!
Al Dente Diva says
So so happy to hear that you all like it
Anonymous says
You can't eat with a fork, need a spoon to shovel in your mouth faster! Delicious ... sooooo good!
Anonymous says
I’m using all of the chicken stock?
Anonymous says
I recommend low sodium everything! Although very delicious, very salty!
Anonymous says
I am going to add albacore tuna and peas and instead of cream of chicken soup I'm going to use cream of celery and try to use this base noodle recipe for my tuna casserole because I don't want to turn the oven on. I don't see why it wouldn't be just as delicious! Thanks for the inspiration.
Anonymous says
Made the other night with fettuccine
noodles, added sour cream n parm cheese with veggies , turned out great
Used what I had .
Making this again but this time with your recipe n again fettuccine noodles ...
Easy dinner or lunch ..
Thank You??
Anonymous says
Great recipe. Added a dash of garlic powder. Flavor was on point. Kids loved it and even got a second helping. I thought it was going to be bland. It was not. Also if you like to add extra salt to your food try it first I doubt you'd want to. Will definitely make again.
Shay says
Literally done in 20ish minutes, and my toddler is gobbling it up. Will be adding this to the dinner rotation! Served with chopped rotisserie chicken and steamed broccoli.
Al Dente Diva says
So glad you liked it. Love the idea of chicken and broccoli. Enjoy!
Jessica Medvid says
Can you sub the cream of chicken soup? We have made something similar with different broth my husband is allergic to chicken, dairy, wheat, pork, soy, among other things so we have used vegetarian no chicken broth and vegetarian no chicken better than bouillon, smart balance “butter” but didn’t have anything to make it creamy. ?
Anonymous says
Can you use cream of mushroom soup?
Michelle says
I made this yummy recipe! I added a can of chunk chicken then as everything was heating up, I mixed in a little Bisquick to thicken it. DELICIOUS!!
Mary says
Have you ever tried reduced sodium cream of chicken soup?
It was a hit at my house! A bit salty for me.
Brad Gould says
Only had a can of creamy of chicken and mushroom. The noodles were fantastic! Thinking of using beef broth, beef bullion, and cream of mushroom next time.
Al Dente Diva says
I’m so glad you enjoyed them!
Meg says
Would this be suitable for freezing?
Anonymous says
these were a huge hit, thanks!
Al Dente Diva says
Love to hear it. Thank you!