Farfel Garlic Egg Noodles - You'll Love This Fun Side Dish

These farfel garlic egg noodles are absolutely addictive! Hot spoonfuls of tiny egg noodle pasta in a garlic butter sauce are a bit of heaven on earth.

This side dish is seriously addictive. No matter how much we make, our family finds a way to consume it all.

Who can resist a dish with a name like farfel? The name is fun, the tiny noodles are fun -- and to top it all off, it's incredibly delicious!

What is Farfel?

Farfel is a traditionally Jewish pasta side dish consisting of a small egg or matzah noodle. The word farfel (farfl) is Yiddish and comes from the German word varveln, meaning "small noodle." It is similar to the German egg noodle dish, spaetzle.

This particular recipe was introduced in my family in the 1940's by my dad's sister, my Aunt Lucille. She and her husband were members of the Club International at the Drake Hotel in Chicago, and this dish was served at a dinner they attended. Lucille enjoyed it so much that she asked the chef to come to the table. She paid her compliments and asked if he would be willing to share the recipe. He obliged, and it has been a family favorite that has been passed down through generations ever since. My family seriously loves this dish. Just take a look at my niece Tracy over this massive crockpot of farfel at Thanksgiving last year!

Just 5 Easy Ingredients

Farfel is so simple to make and takes only 5 ingredients:

• Box of tiny egg noodles
• Can of sliced mushrooms
• Butter
• Garlic
• Salt

Use The Proper Egg Noodles

Make sure you use a very small egg noodle. I like to use Acini di Pepe because is very tiny and pretty in the dish. Orzo is small and works well too, but I don't think it looks as attractive.

Mushrooms are a Must

If you are not a mushroom fan, put the mushrooms in this dish anyway! Almost everyone in my family dislikes mushrooms, but leaving them out really leaves it lacking something important. It doesn't have a mushroom flavor or texture because you chop them so finely, and they add an important element to the dish. Trust me, mushroom haters will gobble it up and not even know they're there. The secret is to chop the mushrooms into very fine pieces. This helps enhance the flavor of the farfel garlic noodle recipe, and the mushroom haters won't even notice. If they ask what those tiny flecks are, just say "seasonings!"

This recipe should be made several hours or a day in advance of serving, therefore I usually make it in the morning to serve with dinner. This allows the noodles to absorb the flavors, making it even tastier at dinnertime. My sister has a large family and usually doubles or triples the recipe. She makes it in the morning and leaves it in a warm crockpot all day until serving time which saves space in the refrigerator. But f you do that, remember to stir it often so it doesn't stick or burn on the bottom.

Tips for Making Garlic Farfel Egg Noodles

1. Watch the butter carefully when you're melting it in the skillet because it burns easily, and if that happens there is no saving it.
2. Taste as you salt. Noodles tend to need salt, and everyone likes a different amount. Therefore after you have mixed in the initial teaspoon of salt taste it, and if necessary add more to your liking. I usually add two or more teaspoons.