What Are Egg Noodles and How Are They Different from Other Noodles?

Sometimes overlooked within the pasta family, egg noodles are a pantry essential. Used in everything from soups, to stews, to stroganoffs, these noods can even be swapped out for regular pasta if the mood strikes. But what ARE egg noodles, when you come right down to it? Well, answer that we shall! For today we’re doing a deep dive on everything egg noodle! Let’s get that water to a rolling boil and do this! 

What are egg noodles made of?

It’s actually quite simple to break down what’s in egg noodles. Egg noodles are made from just two ingredients: eggs and wheat flour! Appearance-wise, egg noodles tend to be wide and flat, which is absolutely perfect for soaking up sauce. They tend to be a bit richer and denser than standard pasta, though they have a similar flavor to, say, a rotini.

Egg noodles vs pasta: What’s the difference?

The main difference between egg noodles and pasta is that egg noodles always contain egg but pasta like spaghetti, fettuccine, and penne, does not necessarily contain egg. While some fresh pastas do contain egg, most of the dried pasta you get from the grocery store is egg-free. 

Are egg noodles gluten free?

Unfortunately, regular egg noodles are not gluten-free as they are made with flour. However, gluten free egg noodles do exist. Make sure to check the packaging to make sure the brand you’re purchasing is a gluten-free variety, and avoid any gluten-filled mistakes in the kitchen later! 

Are egg noodles keto? Are egg noodles low carb?

Egg noodles are far from keto-friendly, as they are quite carbohydrate-dense. It makes them great for a carb-rich energy boost, but does not fit into the keto diet. Fortunately, if you don’t mind making them yourself, there are multiple recipes for low-carb, keto-friendly egg noodles that can be found online. Don’t let a pesky restrictive diet get in the way of your enjoyment of these delicious noodles, store-bought or not! 
Egg noodles’ richness, hearty texture, and nuanced flavor makes them an absolute essential in our book—especially if you regularly eat chicken noodle soup, tuna noodle casserole, or goulash. Plus, they’re great to have at the ready in case a little kid who only wants buttered noodles comes to dinner. Egg noodles are a godsend when it comes to that! Aside from boxed mac and cheese shaped like various SpongeBob characters, it’s every kindergartener’s dream dinner!