How Long to Cook Egg Noodles

Updated on April 9th, 2023

Egg noodles are a tasty treat that works in loads of recipes. These noodles are made by combining flour with eggs, and then the dough is prepared into strips and boiled in water. And many times, you must’ve come across it in the ingredient list for soups, stews, goulash, or stroganoff recipes. But do you sometimes feel you still can’t get it right?

Don’t be discouraged because you’re not alone in this situation. Tons of people lament that they can’t get their egg noodle recipe right. But what if I told you the solution is simpler than you imagined? Because the perfect egg noodles only happen when it’s left till the right time.

Egg Noodles- The Two Forms

The first mistake most people make when cooking egg noodles is assuming they’re all the same. And when they do, they end up undercooking or overcooking certain types. But egg noodles are mostly of two types, namely the homemade and store-bought egg noodles.

Homemade Egg Noodles

These are many people’s favorites for many reasons. First, you can command how soft or hard the noodles come out. You can also decide how many eggs it should contain or the thickness of each noodle strand. Because you mix the flour and eggs yourself, you have complete control over the outcome. And if you’re concerned about gluten, you can use gluten-free flour to prepare the noodles from the start.

But homemade egg noodles are soft, even after being left out to air-dry. As such, they won’t be as resistant to cooking as the typical store-bought types. Plus, you have to use them fresh and quick; otherwise, they won’t cook properly. Knowing this fact allows you to correctly time any recipe using homemade noodles.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Cooking With Ella (@cookingella)

Store-Bought Egg Noodles

These are the typical easy-access options we know. Their production involves processes and materials that allow the flour to become dense and resistant to cooking. Plus, they’re great if you want an easy way to cook egg noodles al dente. It’s why these types are popular in many homes today. And they’re flexible, as they can be used in numerous dishes.

But some store-bought egg noodles may contain preservatives you don’t find suitable. They may also contain gluten, which doesn’t make them appealing to some diets. Plus, their tougher texture makes it hard to cook faster, especially if you’re in a hurry. Compared to homemade egg noodles, these types take forever to some people.

Mastering Cooking Time for Egg Noodles

Knowing the two different forms of egg noodles helps you understand how to cook them. That way, you’ll prevent the chance of ruining the recipe or wasting ingredients. That said, here are the proper cooking times for egg noodles, based on the type;

• Fresh, homemade egg noodles- three to four minutes
• Dried, store-bought egg noodles- six to eight minutes.

Whichever you’re cooking, ensure to follow these tips;

1. Egg noodles cook best when done in a spacious condition. So, ensure to use a large saucepan when cooking it.
2. Add salt to the water and let it reach a boil before putting the noodles. Regardless of the type, it’s best to start in boiling water so the egg noodles don’t soak. Plus, salt is essential for adding taste.
3. Observe the cooking time and ensure not to cross the planned time.
4. Once the egg noodles are ready, drain the water and serve at once. Egg noodles are best consumed hot, and if left to grow cold, may not incorporate well with the recipe’s texture and flavor.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by healthandfitness (@keto.health.care)

Serving Tips

Egg noodles work great with tomato-based soups, stroganoff, and goulash. They’re also excellent when paired with steak, halibut, salmon, and lobster. You can also enjoy the noodles on their own with a topping of creamy cheese or tuna. And you can add them to casseroles, make them into pot chicken dishes and combine them with vegetables.