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15 Minute Garlic Butter Ramen Noodles with a little bit of “sneaky” zucchini hidden throughout. These noodles are for those nights when you’re craving simple summer flavors, but are also looking for total comfort food in a bowl full of buttered noodles. This dish has brown rice ramen noodles tossed with golden caramelized garlic butter, shredded zucchini, a splash of soy sauce, and so much fresh garden basil. Not only are these noodles delicious, they’re also made easily using just 7 ingredients, and ready to eat in 15-minutes. Perfect weeknight noodle dinner!
These noodles are what I call “college student” food done healthier…thanks to the addition of brown rice ramen and plenty of summer zucchini. And while this recipe is the simplest, I can promise you that it’s also delicious. It’s a recipe you’ll make time and time again. Maybe on a rainy night (it’s currently downpouring) when you just need a bowl full of comfort in the form of buttered noodles.
Truly the perfect easy Monday night dinner to enjoy.
Growing up there were many summer nights that my mom would request buttered noodles tossed with my dad’s garden basil for dinner. Anyone who knows my mom knows that she practically survives off of bread and noodles with the addition of hot chocolate. Yes, some fruits and vegetables are mixed in too, but my mom loves noodles, pasta, and bread. Seeing as we spent a whole lot of time together growing up, I too love a simple bowl of buttered noodles with fresh basil tossed into the mix.
And Asher does as well. Apparently this “buttered noodle” trait runs with the girls of the family. My brothers could care less about any kind of noodle that doesn’t come with a side of meat.
Anyway, this is, of course, a simple concept. But every summer I try to come up with a new way to make buttered noodles feel special and exciting again. This year I’m pulling out an oldie recipe and giving it new life, enter these ramen noodles.
I first made these noodles over four summers ago and had completely forgotten about them. But when I walked over to the garden the other day and saw all the basil I was suddenly hit with a round of deja vu. And thus the idea to remake these noodles was born.
Garlic ramen, but with the addition of basil, shredded zucchini…to incorporate summer vegetables, and a splash of soy sauce. Was it too simple of an idea? Maybe.
But does it sound delicious? Yes…so very delicious!
So I went for it, and now we have 15-minute garlic butter ramen noodles to enjoy for dinner tonight. It’s going to be good.
First, things first, the noodles.
Personally, I love using brown rice ramen, which are vegan and gluten-free. I know it might be hard to believe, but these really do taste just like the ramen noodles we loved as kids…just much healthier. You can find these noodles online, either on Amazon or Thrive Market. Or you can purchase them at Whole Foods, Costco, and in many grocery stores as well.
Of course, you can also use whatever your favorite brand of ramen is…hello to a little Top Ramen. That works too! Just discard the seasoning packet. You won’t need it for this recipe (though, in thinking about it, I imagine that could be good as well).
While the noodles are cooking, start in on the butter. If you can find it, use cultured butter (sometimes referred to as European butter). It’s my favorite butter to use for both cooking and baking, I especially love Vermont Creamery’s Cultured Butter. I’d also recommend my other go-to butter, Land O’Lakes Extra Creamy Salted Butter.
Now, melt the butter. Add the garlic and let it get golden and caramelized (the kitchen will smell like garlic butter…a wonderful thing). Toss in some fresh ginger and shredded zucchini. Now add the noodles, a splash of soy sauce, and finish it off with all that fresh summer basil. The basil is KEY here so please do not skimp on it. And please, use fresh. Trust me, it’s worth a market run for good fresh basil as it adds all the flavor to these noodles.
Serve the buttered noodles with a sprinkling of toasted sesame seeds, and if you’d like, a soft boiled or fried egg.
Simplest summer dinner, but every twirl of noodles just kind of melts in your mouth.
Think buttery, slightly garlicky noodles, kicked up with ginger, seasoned with the slightest amount of soy sauce (that brings just the right amount of salty savory flavor), and heavy on the basil.
It’s all just delicious. Enjoy your 15-minute noodle dinner guys!
Looking for other summer ramen recipes? Here are a few ideas:
30 Minute Caramelized Shallot Beef Ramen Noodles
Thai Peanut Chicken Ramen Noodle Salad
Lastly, if you make these 15 minute garlic butter ramen noodles, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Simple, without being boring! Great Friday night stay-in dinner and all my kids are it!! Wasn’t sure if the basil & soy sauce would work together, but I trusted you and it was perfect.
Aw that is so great to hear! Thank you so much Audra! xTieghan
You must have been half baked when you judged the prep and cooking times. Food was good but please show me how you soft boiled eggs, grated zucchini, minced garlic, chopped basil, and grated ginger in 5 minutes! It seems that you consistently lower the prep time to get clicks. I like your food but get more frustrated with your ridiculous prep time estimates. And please don’t tell me you had 4 soft boiled eggs on hand!
Hi! I am sorry if the prep time is inaccurate for you. I definitely do not lower to time for clicks, I just try to do an average or how long it takes me. I will try to get a more accurate time for others, and I appreciate your comment! Thank you! xTieghan
Amazingly simple and sooo delicious.
Thank you Lindsay! I am really glad this recipe turned out so well for you! xTieghan
Hi Tieghan!
I tried this recipe tonight and absolutely loved it. This might sound like a silly question (I am new to cooking so forgive me) but when you say “2-3 brown rice ramen” do you mean containers or individual noodle cakes? I used the former and it was a lot of ramen not that I’m complaining because it is absolutely delicious! It would just be good to know for future use. Thanks for sharing such a yummy recipe and inspiring newbies like myself to cook!
Hey Dani,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try and sorry for the confusion. Yes I was referring to 2-3 noodle cakes for this recipe! xTieghan
I made this last night and will be making it again today! It’s sooooo delicious!! Thank you!
Thank you so much Jessika! xTieghan
This was beyond delicious! Everyone wanted seconds… great recipe!!!!!
Thank you Paula! That is so amazing to hear! xTieghan
This was so good I wanted to lick the bowl. We doubled it for the 6 of us and added a few cups of corn from the ears we’d cooked the previous night. I’ll admit I didn’t expect much from the brown rice ramen noodles (I’ve been burned pretty much every time I’ve tried to switch from the old favorites), but I loved them. I can’t wait to make this again! Thanks for a great, easy recipe.
Thank you Kim!! I am really glad this recipe turned out so well for you! xTieghan
The best 15 min ramen noodle , I added carrots and julienned some of my garden mature green beans .
Thank you Celeste! xTieghan
Made this with some left over tri trip. I didn’t have zucchini but used spinach, grilled corn and mushrooms instead. It was delish, such a great base recipe that you can make differently every time. Thanks!
Wow love to hear that! Thank you for trying this one, Stephanie! xTieghan
Made this today. it was SO GOOD! My husband said it was the best pasta dish I’ve ever made. Thank you!
Thank you Rachel! xTieghan
Very delicious
Thank you Cathrine! xTieghan
Yuuuum! Just made this for dinner. I used half brown rice and half jade pearl ramen noodles I had from some soup packs (didn’t add in their seasoning) and then added in some yellow squash with the zucchini and basil. I used a fried egg on top so I’d have that extra creamy addition to the sauce. Turned out great and I will definitely be making this again! So easy and so good!
Thank you so much Sarah!! I am so glad this turned out so well for you! xTieghan
This is a comment on the 15-Minute garlic butter ramen noodles (but my display is taking me to another recipe’s comment section, I think). Anyway…my first time making ramen! It sounded so good and easy (and I love zucchini), I had to try it. I used brown rice ramen, and was so happy with the results! We had it for dinner tonight, and my husband and three kids loved it. So good to have recipes like this that come together so fast!! Especially on these hot summer days! Thanks so much!
Thank you so much for trying this recipe, Janet! I am really glad this turned out so well for you! Especially for your first ramen recipe…YES! xTieghan
I made this for dinner last night, and my twin two year olds used their new word to describe this – delicious! 🙂
Thank you so much Alicia!! I am so happy to hear that! xTieghan
This has become a go-to meal for me! This dish always hits when I want something easy and “yummy”. I’ve made this for friends many times and am always asked to share the recipe!
Aw that is so great to hear, Sarah! Thank you so much for trying this! xTieghan