What Are Egg noodles and How Can I Use Them?

Egg noodles rewards a little know-how: how to choose them, cook them, store them, and substitute in a pinch. Browse 191 recipes to cook with them.

What are egg noodles?

Egg noodles are wheat noodles enriched with egg, which sets them apart from plain pasta. That egg, often several yolks per pound of flour, makes the strand more tender, gives it a pale gold color, and lets it drink up rich sauces the way semolina pasta never quite does.

Most American boxes are wide, curly ribbons sold dry. In Germany and across Eastern Europe they are a daily starch.

U.S. labeling rules require at least 5.5 percent egg solids by weight before a product can be called an egg noodle.

Where They Belong

This is comfort-food pasta. The tenderness that egg brings is exactly what you want under a heavy or paprika-stained sauce, which is why egg noodles anchor so many Central and Eastern European dishes.

Think beef stroganoff and meatball paprikash, where the noodle is a soft cushion for sour cream and gravy. They are also the side for braises, tossed with nothing more than butter and a little parsley.

In Jewish cooking they go sweet as well as savory. A noodle kugel bakes wide egg noodles with sweetened custard and apple into something between a casserole and a pudding.

They also hold their own in soup. The fine and medium widths are the classic strand in chicken noodle soup, tender enough to cut with a spoon.

Cooking and Swaps

Egg noodles cook fast, usually 6 to 8 minutes, and the dry curly kind is forgiving.

Salt the water, and toss the drained noodles straight into butter or sauce so they do not clump as they cool.

The one real pitfall is overcooking. The egg makes them tender to begin with, so a few minutes too long turns them mushy and they tear when you stir.

Pull them just shy of soft, especially for a dish like Calypso Kielbasa where they finish in the pan with the sausage.

Out of egg noodles? Fettuccine or any flat ribbon is the closest dry swap, though it stays firmer and less tender.

Fresh pasta or homemade egg pasta is the better match if you have it, since it carries the same egg richness. Plain wheat noodles work in a pinch but will not soak up a cream sauce the same way.

Buying and Storing

Buy by width to match the dish: fine for soup, medium for casseroles, extra-wide for stroganoff and kugel. Dried egg noodles are usually shelved with regular pasta.

Because of the egg, dried egg noodles do not keep quite as long as plain pasta, but a sealed bag still holds about a year in a cool, dry cupboard. Fresh refrigerated egg noodles last only a few days; freeze what you will not cook soon.

Cooked egg noodles keep three or four days in the fridge and reheat best with a splash of broth or a knob of butter to loosen them, since they stiffen and stick as they cool.

Nutrition

Quick facts

Where to find egg noodles: Egg noodles are usually found in the pasta section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.

Food group: Egg noodles are a member of the Cereal Grains and Pasta US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.

In Chinese

鸡蛋面

British (UK) term

Egg noodles

en français

nouilles aux oeufs

en español

fideos de huevo

How much do egg noodles weigh?

Related

Cereal Grains and Pasta

Recipes using egg noodles

There are 191 recipes that contain this ingredient.

Homemade Noodles Snack

Tasty and yummy snack.This recipe for the kids or adults.

Chicken Tomatillo Sauce with Mole Chile

Wok-seared chicken in a smoky tomatillo-mole sauce with roasted garlic, chipotle, and coffee. Served over egg noodles with jalapeño Jack cheese and a fresh platter of jicama, cucumber, and radishes.

Brandy Chops De Pere

Tasty, easy to prepare, brandy recipe for boneless pork chops. Best with 1" thick chops, a leafy spinach salad with walnuts, rasberry vinaigrette dressing with a dash of balsimic vinegar, and a glass of dark earthy Merlot. One of my favorite discoveries.

Sesame Broccoli Stir-Fry with Noodles

Had some broccoli and mushrooms needed to use up, this recipe was a perfect fit. I also slice a carrot and added into the stir-fry, which made the dish look more colorful and inviting...

Stir-Fried Veggie with Noodles

Stir-fried bell peppers, carrots, and zucchini with garlic, ginger, scallions are tossed with pasta, cucumber, cilantro, and miso-chili sauce. It's a delicious, light yet nutritious one pot meal that's perfect for week-nights.

Crockpot Sweet & Sour Chicken Stew with Sweet Peppers

Juicy pineapple, sweet peppers, chicken breasts and carrots in a sweet and sour sauce. Easy slow cooker prep.

Salmon Dijon Casserole

Salmon casserole with egg noodles in a creamy Dijon mustard sauce, mixed peas and carrots, and melted Havarti on top. The Dijon cuts the richness for a brighter take on the classic salmon noodle bake.

Favorite Tuna Noodle Casserole

A hearty and scrumptious tuna casserole made with green peas and cream of mushroom soup.

Asian Turkey Meatballs

This easy and delicious Asian Turkey meatballs are not only much lower-fat and calories, and they also are packed with deliciousness.

He-Man's Tuna Noodle Casserole

Fight evil and help those who are hungry with this scrumptious casserole that is sure to produce a happy ending.

Mama Delilah's Beef Stroganoff

Creamy and tender stroganoff is one of my favorite comfort foods

Tuna Noodle Casserole No. 2

A scrumptious tuna casserole that's perfect to take with you to the next family gathering!

Spicy Sichuan Noodles (Dan Dan Mian)

A classic Chinese noodle dish, it's served in almost every Chinese restaurant in China, and every family knows how to make this easy yet delicious dish.

Classic Chicken Parmesan

Crispy breaded chicken breasts baked with marinara, bubbly mozzarella, and Parmesan, served over egg noodles. A straightforward weeknight chicken parm that's on the table in about an hour.

Cable Car Tuna Casserole For Two

A much improved tuna casserole that's perfectly sized for two hearty servings. Cheesy creamy and packed with a variety of textures.

Favorite Chicken Noodle Soup

Nothing is like a bowl of warm and delicious chicken noodle soup on a cold winter day.

Hearty Tuna Casserole

An easy to make hearty colorful tuna casserole that's topped with zucchini and tomatoes.

Stir Fry Beef & Bok Choy with Noodles

Why ordering take-out, if you can make a delicious beef and bok-choy stir-fry within no time.

1-Pot Noodles with Chicken & Broccoli

Easy and quick chicken and brocolli with noodles all made in a single pot all in less than 30 minutes.

Drunken Kielbasa

A game-day favorite for me and my family. Savory, sweet, and filling.

Ham with Noodles (Schinkennudeln)

If you're looking to make something quick, this succulent dish will satisfy your hunger in no time! But it will have you wanting seconds.

Beef Tips in Red Wine Sauce

Beef cubes are cooked in a warm and tasty soup with the egg noodles added at the end. It's a well balanced and delicious dish.

Cable Car Tuna Casserole

Tuna casserole? Many will moan, but this recipe changes the image. Nice texture and crunch from the water chestnuts and the creamy sauce was wonderful. A real winner on this old classic.

Braised Short Ribs for Two

Boneless beef short ribs, slow braised in a small crockpot (or pot if desired) perfectly sized for two servings.

Easy Beef Stroganoff For Two

Tender beef steak strips, mushrooms with egg noodles in a tangy sauce. Perfectly sized for two servings and it's all cooked in one pan for a no-fuss weekday main dish.

30-Minute Beef Stroganoff

Quick and easy, this savory dish is made with beef round steak, mushrooms and egg noodles.

Mix & Match Casserole

An easy yet delicious recipe. I followed the recipe, and used whatever I had on hand. Then just mixed them up, and baked in the oven until the cheese was nicely browned. I let the casserole rest for about 10 minutes, then served it. Overall a great dish.

Beef Stroganoff - Russian Style

An easy beef dish that turns into a complete meal with noodles. Make your friends squeal in satisfaction with this scrumptious beef dish that will even have you licking your lips!

Pork in Mustard Sauce

Pork chops in Dijon mustard sauce with tarragon and sour cream, served over egg noodles. A quick French-inspired skillet dinner with a creamy, tangy pan sauce.

Italian Pot Roast

If you're tired of making the same old dinner with the same old taste, then you have to try this succulent pot roast!

Breton Apple Pie

A rich French Breton-style apple pie with buttery, egg-yolk dough scented with dark rum and vanilla. Golden, dense, and somewhere between a cake and a tart. Utterly irresistible.

Tomato Beef Bake

Browned ground beef, chunky tomatoes, and egg noodles baked together with soy sauce and green peppers. A hearty weeknight casserole the whole family will dig into, ready in just 30 minutes.

Tofu-Noodle-Poppy Seed Casserole (Lacto)

Make-ahead tofu noodle casserole in a creamy Parmesan poppy seed sauce with pimientos. Assemble the night before, bake the next day. Retro comfort food with a vegetarian twist.

Pasta Di Pina

One-pot egg noodles cooked in golden onion soup broth and tossed with garlic bread crumbs, parsley, and parmesan. A pantry-friendly Italian-style pasta ready in 30 minutes.

Italian Chicken with Noodles

Italian chicken with noodles featuring herb-seasoned chicken breast strips simmered in broth with onions and topped with melted mozzarella. A one-pan weeknight dinner.

Egg Noodle Dish

Corned beef noodle casserole layers egg noodles with canned corned beef, Velveeta, cream of mushroom soup and onion in a single 9x13 pan. The classic Midwestern church-supper one-dish meal.

Lemon-Tarragon Chicken

Lemon-tarragon chicken breasts with mushrooms and sherry, finished with a sour cream pan sauce over egg noodles. A creamy, herbed skillet chicken dinner ready in under 45 minutes.

Beef Daube Provencal

In this classic French braised beek, red wine and vegetable stew is a simple and delicious dish. The flavour and texture allow you to keep it warm for your guests.

Microwave Casseroled Chicken

Microwave casseroled chicken: whole roaster cooked in the microwave with cream of celery soup, egg noodles, and mixed vegetables. Full dinner in 50 minutes.

Pork with Apples & Noodles

Pork tenderloin strips with Granny Smith apples, paprika, and tomato served over egg noodles. A savory-sweet microwave dinner ready in 35 minutes.

Long Life Noodles with Egg

Long life noodles with egg: blanched egg noodles topped with wilted spinach, a soft-poached egg, and a glossy soy-sesame chicken broth. Chinese New Year birthday tradition in a bowl.

Creamed Chicken Over Noodles

Creamed chicken served over buttered egg noodles with fresh parsley. A quick, comforting weeknight dinner using pre-made creamed chicken for speed.

Fettucini with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Fettuccine tossed in browned butter and heavy cream with sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan, and fresh nutmeg. A rich, five-ingredient pasta ready in 30 minutes.

Pepper's Tuna Casserole

Pepper's tuna casserole is a six-ingredient weeknight classic with egg noodles, water-packed tuna, onion, cream of mushroom soup, and a melty cheese top. Pantry-friendly comfort food.

Mom's Green Noodles

Mom's green noodles: egg noodles tossed in a parsley-butter-sour cream sauce with Parmesan, Romano, and fresh garlic. A bright, herby family pasta recipe in under 30 minutes.

Parmesan Noodles Alfredo

Parmesan noodles Alfredo tosses egg noodles in a quick sauce of butter, half-and-half, and grated Parmesan. Five-ingredient Italian-American comfort dinner ready in 30 minutes.

Pork Barbecue amd Noodles

Pulled pork barbecue tossed with egg noodles in a homemade ketchup-based sauce with cinnamon, chili powder, and apple cider vinegar. A hearty, tangy one-skillet dinner.

Country Hearth Stew

Country hearth stew with sauteed beef, egg noodles, and mixed vegetables in a thyme and sage broth, finished with a crunchy cracker crumb topping.

Noodles with Poppy Seed & Raisins

Sweet poppy seed noodles toss buttered egg noodles with prepared poppy seed filling, raisins, lemon zest, and vanilla. Eastern European-style sweet pasta side or dessert that comes together in 20 minutes.

Three Bean Pasta

Three bean pasta salad with kidney beans, chickpeas, and green beans tossed in a tangy Dijon mustard and red wine vinegar dressing. A hearty no-cook side dish packed with protein.

All 191 recipes