This Garlic noodles recipe features double the garlic, thanks to the oven-roasted garlic and black garlic that take this dish to the next level! It’s the perfect recipe for all the garlic lovers out there, and trust me it’s packed with that delicious garlicky flavor!
Garlic noodles has gained popularity in recent years for its simple yet incredibly satisfying flavors. This delicious dish is a staple in many Asian cuisines and is often found on the menus of Vietnamese and Chinese restaurants.
The star of the show is, of course, the garlic, which infuses the noodles with its aromatic and slightly sweet essence. The oven roasted garlic is sautéed in butter or oil until it becomes golden and fragrant, creating a rich and flavorful base for the noodles.
The noodles themselves are typically egg noodles or spaghettini, cooked to perfection and then tossed in the garlic-infused butter or oil. The result is a dish that is both exciting for the tastebuds and comforting, with each bite bursting with the bold and distinctive taste of garlic.
Plus, in my recipe we’ll be getting double the garlic with oven-roasted garlic and black garlic to add even more umami-ness to our delicious garlic noodles!
Whether served as a main course or as a side dish, garlic noodles are sure to be a hit at any meal. So why not give this recipe a try and experience the magic of garlic noodles for yourself?
Read on to learn exactly how to make this delicious garlic noodles recipe today!
What are Garlic Noodles?
Garlic noodles are a popular Asian-inspired dish made with egg noodles, garlic, butter, and various seasonings. They are known for their delicious, rich, and garlicky flavor.
One of the key highlights of garlic noodles is the strong aroma and taste of garlic. The dish typically uses a generous amount of garlic, which adds a delicious and fragrant element to the noodles. The garlic flavor is enhanced by the butter used in the recipe.
Plus, garlic noodles are versatile and can be customized to suit individual preferences. Some variations of the dish may include additional ingredients such as vegetables, protein like shrimp or chicken, or spices to add extra flavor and texture.
Why You’ll Love This Garlic Noodles Recipe
Easy to make: This recipe requires minimal effort and is simple to make.
Perfect garlicky: If you're like me and you think that garlic should go on everything, then you'll love the combination of the two different types of garlic (black and roasted) combined with these simple noodles.
Delicious flavors: The neat thing about roasting the garlic for these garlic noodles is that it brings the natural sweetness out of the garlic so it makes this dish super garlicky with hints of sweetness which go well with the saltiness of the soy sauce and oyster sauce.
Versatile: These noodles can be customized to suit your taste preferences. You can add different proteins like shrimp or chicken, or add vegetables like broccoli or mushrooms to make it a complete meal.
Crowd-pleaser: Whether you’re serving it to your family or hosting a dinner party, these garlic noodles are sure to be a hit. The simple yet bold flavors appeal to a wide range of palates, making it a dish that everyone can enjoy.
Restaurant-quality: By following this recipe, you can recreate the taste of your favorite garlic noodles from a fancy restaurant right in your own kitchen. Impress your guests or simply treat yourself to a restaurant-quality dish without the hefty price tag.
Ingredients You’ll Need to Make Garlic Noodles At Home
All you need are some incredibly simple, pantry-staple ingredients to make this delicious garlic noodles recipe at home.
Here's an overview of the specific ingredients for this recipe. For the exact ingredients and measurements, please scroll to the recipe card below.
- Spaghettini: We will be using some spaghettini to make this recipe. It will provide a delicious base for the dish, absorbing all the flavors of the sauce and creating a satisfying texture.
- Butter: We will also require butter to make this recipe. It will add richness and creaminess to the dish, enhancing the flavors of the other ingredients and giving it a smooth and velvety finish.
- Oil: Butter is not enough so I add some oil to make this recipe. It will help to sauté the garlic and prevent it from burning. It creates a flavorful base for the sauce and helps coat the noodles better with the garlic oil.
For the Garlic Mash
- Whole garlic bulbs: We will need whole garlic bulbs to make the garlic mash. The garlic will infuse the noodle dish with a strong and aromatic garlic flavor, adding depth and complexity to the overall taste.
- Black garlic bulb: We will also be using a black garlic bulb to make the garlic mash. It will provide a unique and slightly sweet flavor to the dish, giving it a hint of umami and enhancing the overall taste experience. If you don't have this, you can omit it.
- Oil: By adding oil to the garlic mash, we will soften the garlic bulbs, allowing them to release their flavors and create a smooth and creamy mash.
For the Sauce
- Soy sauce: We will be using soy sauce to make the sauce which will add a savory and salty taste to the dish, balancing out the flavors and giving it an umami-rich flavor.
- Oyster sauce: We will also need some oyster sauce to make the sauce. It will contribute a rich and savory flavor to the dish, adding depth and complexity to the overall taste and complimenting the other ingredients.
- Sesame oil: We will also use some sesame oil to make the sauce. It will provide a nutty and aromatic flavor, enhancing the taste of the dish and giving it a subtle Asian twist.
How to Make Garlic Noodles (Step by Step)
Making this incredible garlic noodles recipe at home is super easy and will give you great results every single time. Here's how to make it step by step:
How to Cook Noodles for Garlic Noodles
For this garlic noodles recipe, you will need to boil the spaghettini noodles ahead of time before frying the noodles together with the garlic.
If you can, try to use spaghettini over spaghetti, I find spaghetti too thick for the recipe and the flavor of the sauce can't come through all the thicker noodles. 
How to Roast Garlic in the Oven for Garlic Noodles
Roasting garlic at home is super easy to do, and I love doing it in batches of 2-3 whole bulbs at a time so I can have extra to use for other dishes. I usually store roasted garlic in the fridge for up to a week with no issues.
When you are roasting garlic, cut the top off horizontally. Cut far enough down so that you are cutting the tops off all of the cloves but don't throw the top away! I don't like to waste anything so I usually roast the whole thing including the tops - cutting it first just makes it easier to pop the roasted garlic out when they are soft and cooked.
If the layers of garlic skin are very thick, peel off a few layers but always keep a few layers on so that it stays together during the roasting step. Drizzle it with oil and sprinkle some salt on top. Set the top of the garlic back on top and wrap it in foil and you're good to go. 
Put it into a small cake pan or muffin tin so that if the oil drips out of the foil, there will be something to catch it in.
Bake it at 400F (204C) for approximately 35-40 minutes. Every oven's heat is different so check on it at the 30-minute mark and press on the garlic cloves with a fork to see if it's soft. Once it's very soft, it's done - if it's not easily mashable with a fork then keep roasting it for 5-10 minutes more.
How to Prepare the Garlic Mash
Once the roasted garlic is done, we have the fun part - the mashing! Squeeze out, or pop out all the garlic cloves, along with the black garlic cloves (which should be easy to peel), and mash them both together with a fork on a cutting board.
When it's all mashed together and well combined, add it to a bowl and add a few tablespoons of oil to it and continue to mash it until it looks like a black paste. Set this aside - you will be toasting it in some butter and oil before combining it with the noodles and the sauce.
How to Put it All Together
In a frying pan, heat 2-3 tablespoons of oil and 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-low heat. Once the butter has melted, add the garlic mash to the pan and toast it for 3-5 minutes. Spread the garlic mash out into a thin, single layer on the pan and keep stirring to prevent it from burning.
Increase the heat to medium and add the cooked noodles to the pan. Mix the garlic mash into the noodles for about 1 minute.
Now add the prepared sauce to the pan and continue to flip and mix the noodles so that they are evenly coated with the garlic mash and sauce. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
Your delicious Garlic Noodles are ready!
Substitution Tips
If you can't get a hold of black garlic, you can substitute it with 1 teaspoon of aged modena balsamic vinegar (which is more syrupy and less acidic) mixed with ½ tablespoon of honey.
Normal balsamic vinegar is too acidic to be a good substitution so if you can't find the aged modena balsamic vinegar you can just substitute it with ½ tablespoon of honey but it won't be a 100% true substitution.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve the garlic noodles as a main course with grilled lobster, shrimp, or chicken on top. The flavors of the garlic and butter will pair perfectly with the grilled protein, creating a delicious and satisfying meal.
- For a vegetarian option, serve the garlic noodles alongside a variety of roasted vegetables. The noodles will provide a savory base for the veggies and the garlic will enhance their natural flavors.
- Create a fusion dish by serving the garlic noodles with stir-fried chicken, vegetables or tofu. The noodles will soak up the stir-fry sauce, resulting in a flavorful and hearty dish.
- Serve the garlic noodles as a side dish with a juicy steak. The rich and buttery noodles will compliment the steak perfectly and add a burst of flavor to the meal.
- For a simple and quick lunch option, serve the garlic noodles cold or at room temperature as a pasta salad. Toss in some cherry tomatoes, fresh herbs, and a squeeze of lemon juice for a refreshing and light dish.
Recipe Variation Ideas for Garlic Noodles
This easy garlic noodles recipe is so flavorful and easy to make, you'll want to try out some of these delicious variations! Here are some great ideas:
Spicy: Add some red chili flakes or sriracha sauce to the garlic sauce mixture for a spicy kick. This variation adds a fiery element to the dish, perfect for those who enjoy a little heat in their meals.
Parmesan: Sprinkle some grated parmesan cheese on top of the noodles before serving. The addition of parmesan adds a savory and cheesy flavor to the dish, elevating it to a whole new level.
Lemon: Squeeze some fresh lemon juice into the garlic sauce mixture for a tangy twist. The citrusy flavor of the lemon compliments the garlic beautifully, creating a refreshing and zesty variation of the dish. Garnish it with some green onions or scallions.
Mushroom: Sauté some sliced mushrooms in a separate pan before adding them to the garlic sauce mixture. The earthy and umami flavors of the mushrooms pair perfectly with the garlic, creating a hearty and flavorful variation of the dish. Add some peas for extra flavor!
How to Store Leftover Garlic Noodles
To store leftovers of this garlic noodles recipe, first, let the noodles cool down to room temperature. Once cooled, transfer them into an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
When you want to enjoy the leftovers, you can either reheat the noodles in the microwave or on the stovetop. To reheat in the microwave, simply place a portion of the noodles in a microwave-safe dish and heat them on high for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
If reheating on the stovetop, add a little oil or butter to a pan, then add the noodles and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated through.
As for freezing, unfortunately, these garlic noodles do not freeze well. The texture of the noodles may become mushy and lose their original taste when thawed and reheated. It is best to consume the leftovers within a few days to guarantee the best taste and quality.
More Noodle Recipes You May Like
- Beef Chow Fun (Beef Ho Fun)
- Crispy Cantonese Beef Chow Mein
- Maple Curry Yaki Udon
- Beef & Onion Soy Sauce Noodles
- Japchae (Korean Glass Noodle Stirfry)
- Yum Woon Sen (Thai Glass Noodle Salad)
- Pad Woon Sen (Thai Glass Noodle Stirfry)
- Singapore Noodles
- Thai Peanut Noodles
- Garlic Chili Oil Noodles
If you like my recipes and want to be updated on when new ones come out, please consider subscribing to my newsletter (we don't spam) and follow along on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for all of my latest recipes!
Recipe Card
Garlic Noodles
Joyce's Recipe Notes
- If you can't find black garlic, you can substitute it with 1 teaspoon of aged modena balsamic vinegar (which is more syrupy and less acidic) mixed with ½ tablespoon of honey. Normal balsamic vinegar is too acidic to be a good substitution so if you can't find the aged modena balsamic vinegar you can just substitute it with ½ tablespoon of honey without any balsamic but it won't be a 100% true substitution.
Ingredients
- 200 g spaghettini
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2-3 tablespoons oil
Garlic Mash
- 2 whole garlic bulbs
- 1 black garlic bulb
- 3-4 tablespoons oil
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
Instructions
Preparation
- In a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon oyster sauce, and 1 teaspoon sesame oil. Set it aside for later
Boil the Noodles
- Set the stove to medium-high heat, set a large pot of water on it, and wait until the water boils.
- Once it starts to boil, add in the spaghettini and cook it for 4-5 minutes. Drain the spaghettini and rinse with cold water and set the noodles aside for later.
Roasting the Garlic
- Pre-heat oven to 400F (242C)
- Peel off a few layers of skin from the garlic bulb, but keep a few layers on so the garlic bulb stays intact
- On a cutting board, cut the garlic top off the garlic horizontally. Cut far enough down that so that you are cutting the tops off all of the cloves but don't throw the top away.
- Place the bottom of the garlic in a large piece of foil and drizzle oil on it.
- Sprinkle a pinch of salt over the oil and garlic
- Place the garlic top back on and close the foil up into a packet, and make sure it is well sealed. Place it on a pan, cookie sheet or muffin tin.
- Once the oven has reached 400F (242C), put the garlic in for 35-40 minutes. Check at the 30 minute mark if the garlic is soft when you press a fork against the clove, if it's very soft then it's done - if it's not then continue to cook it for another 5-15 mins, but make sure to check it every 5 minutes.
- Once it is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool before handling it.
Preparing the Garlic Mash
- Once the roasted garlic has cooled, remove the cloves from the pods and place them on the cutting board. (Save the garlic oil, if there is any left in the foil)
- Peel the black garlic.
- With a fork, mash the black garlic and roasted garlic together.
- Once they are well combined, put it into a bowl and add 3-4 tablespoons of oil and any garlic oil from the foil into the bowl and continue to mix everything together until you have a soft black garlic mash. Set this aside.
Putting It Together
- In a frying pan, add 2-3 tablespoons of oil with 2 tablespoons of butter and set the stove to medium low heat.
- Once the butter has melted, add the garlic mash into the oil and toast it for 3-5 minutes, spreading it out as much as you can into a thin single layer on the pan while keeping the garlic moving (so it doesn't burn)
- Turn the heat up to medium heat and add in the noodles and mix the garlic mash into the noodles for about 1 minute
- Add in the sauce and continue to flip and mix the noodles so they get an even distribution of garlic mash and sauce on it. Cook it for about 2-3 minutes
- Plate it up, and Enjoy! 🙂
Nutrition
*Nutritional information is calculated using online tools and is an estimate*
Disclaimer: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. While I appreciate the support - please try to buy your items locally if possible to support your local shops (chances are they are cheaper locally as well!) 🙂
Kris says
Wonderful sauce! I adapted some of it because of missing ingredients and choice— I used a ‘rice’ by “Miracle Noodle”* and (vegan) Worcester sauce instead of the oyster sauce. This was rad! I mixed in some of the mashed garlic with a little oil directly into the ‘rice’ to season that since it’s so bland on its own, then added the rest of the sauce ingredients and mixed well, adding that second mix to some cooked diced Gardein chick’n strips in the pan. Deeeelish! Now I found a way to use up a lot of this black garlic I have in the pantry from a recipe that only called for two of the bulbs/cloves 😅
*I just discovered these “Miracle Noodles” in the rice section of our grocery store; they also make a spaghetti and linguine option. It’s in a bag, super low calorie but don’t expect a perfect substitute for rice. It’s a different texture and bland but this sauce was really yummy mixed into it!
Joyce Lee says
Hi Kris,
I'm so happy you liked this! I'll definitely need to look up these Miracle Noodles! They look like they are shirataki noodles, which I LOVE! Thanks so much for sharing this with me!
Barb says
Would that be one of the single black bulbs and not a bulb with multiple cloves?
Joyce Lee says
Hi Barb,
It would be a whole black bulb with multiple cloves. The ones that I buy, the cloves are melted together in the bulb and difficult to separate into cloves. It's approximately 2 tablespoons worth of black garlic. Hope this helps!
Jackson Brody says
This was fantastic, thanks! Found an old jar of black garlic I bought three or four years ago and thought I'd try to make something of it. The stuff appears to last indefinitely under proper storage conditions. These noodles along with the miso glazed eggplant made for a really divine dinner. Also made Ottolenghi's black pepper eggplant to put it over the top.
Joyce Lee says
Hi Jackson,
I"m so happy you liked this! I love black garlic, and I wished it was a more well known popular ingredient! Something about that sweetness right?