My great grandmother had this recipe written down as “silver screen spaghetti.” It took me a while to figure out it was a replica of the famous noodles of a 1930s Hollywood restaurant.”
Noodles Romanoff is a timeless comfort food, known for its velvety sauce made from sour cream, cream cheese, and Parmesan, gently seasoned with a blend of warm spices. Baked until golden and bubbly, it’s perfect as a cozy side or a satisfying light entrée.
Noodles Romanoff
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Fettuccine or spaghetti | 8 oz (half a 1 lb box) |
| Cream cheese, softened | 4 oz |
| Unsalted butter, softened | 2 tablespoons |
| Sour cream, room temperature | 16 oz |
| Ground black pepper | 1 teaspoon |
| Fine salt | ½ teaspoon |
| Garlic powder | ½ teaspoon |
| Ground nutmeg | ¼ teaspoon |
| Shredded Parmesan cheese, divided | 1 cup |
| Ground paprika | ¼ teaspoon |
Instructions
1️⃣ Preheat oven & prepare dish: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease an 8×8-inch baking dish and set aside.
2️⃣ Cook the pasta: Boil the pasta according to package instructions until just al dente—usually around 12 to 14 minutes.
3️⃣ Drain & keep warm: Thoroughly drain the pasta and return it to the pot. Place it back on the warm burner (turned off or set to low) to maintain heat.
4️⃣ Melt in the cream cheese & butter: Add the softened cream cheese and butter to the hot pasta. Stir continuously until melted and the noodles are evenly coated.
5️⃣ Add sour cream & seasonings: Mix in the sour cream, black pepper, salt, garlic powder, and nutmeg. Stir until the sauce is smooth and well distributed. Fold in half of the Parmesan cheese.
6️⃣ Assemble the casserole: Transfer the creamy noodles to the prepared baking dish and spread evenly. Sprinkle the rest of the Parmesan cheese on top, followed by a light dusting of paprika.
7️⃣ Bake to perfection: Place the dish in the oven and bake uncovered for 30 minutes, or until the cheese on top is golden and bubbly.
8️⃣ Serve & enjoy: Remove from the oven and serve hot as a comforting side or simple main dish.
