My grandmother passed down this thrifty 4 ingredient dinner that we always make when the weather transitions. Buttery, tender, and incredibly satisfying without breaking the bank.

This 4-ingredient Amish cabbage and noodles is one of those thrifty dinners my grandmother leaned on whenever the seasons started to change and money was a little tight. It’s buttery, comforting, and surprisingly satisfying for how simple it is—just cabbage, egg noodles, butter, and onion slowly cooked together until the cabbage turns tender and caramelized and the noodles soak up every bit of that rich, glistening butter sauce. This is the kind of humble, farmhouse-style recipe you can throw together on a busy weeknight and still feel like you’re putting a warm hug on the table.

Serve these buttery cabbage and noodles piled high on a warm plate with a sprinkle of black pepper. They go especially well with simple sides like sliced fresh tomatoes, a basic cucumber salad, or a dish of applesauce. For a heartier meal, add a piece of roasted or grilled sausage or leftover chicken on the side. A slice of crusty bread or warm dinner rolls is great for soaking up any extra buttery sauce. If you like a little brightness, add a squeeze of lemon or a spoonful of sour cream at the table.

Servings: 4

8 ounces wide egg noodles, uncooked

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the egg noodles and cook according to package directions until just tender. Before draining, scoop out about 1/4 cup of the starchy pasta water and set it aside. Drain the noodles and set them aside.

While the water heats and the noodles cook, prepare the vegetables. Remove any tough outer leaves from the cabbage, cut it into quarters, remove the core, and thinly slice into ribbon-like shreds. Thinly slice the onion.

In a large, deep skillet or wide Dutch oven, melt 4 tablespoons of the butter over medium heat. Add the sliced onion and cook, stirring often, until it softens and starts to turn golden around the edges, about 5 to 7 minutes.

Add the sliced cabbage to the skillet along with the salt. It will look like a lot at first, but it will cook down. Stir well to coat the cabbage in the melted butter and onions.

Cook the cabbage and onion mixture over medium to medium-low heat, stirring every few minutes, until the cabbage is very tender, reduced in volume, and caramelized in spots, about 20 to 25 minutes. If the pan looks dry or the cabbage starts to stick, add a small splash of the reserved pasta water or a tablespoon of water and keep stirring.

Once the cabbage is tender and lightly caramelized, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet and let it melt into the cabbage mixture, stirring to coat everything. Taste and adjust the salt if needed.

Add the drained egg noodles directly into the skillet with the buttery cabbage and onions. Toss gently but thoroughly so the noodles are coated in the butter and mixed evenly with the cabbage. If the mixture seems too dry, drizzle in a tablespoon or two of the reserved pasta water to create a light, silky sauce.

Season with freshly ground black pepper to taste and cook everything together for another 2 to 3 minutes over low heat so the flavors meld. Serve hot on warm plates, making sure each serving has plenty of tender cabbage and glistening butter-coated noodles.

For picky eaters, you can chop the cabbage a bit smaller so it blends in more with the noodles, or use a little less cabbage the first time you serve it so the dish feels more familiar. If your family likes a bit of protein, stir in sliced smoked sausage, diced ham, or leftover rotisserie chicken at the end and warm it through. For extra richness, you can add a spoonful of sour cream or a sprinkle of shredded cheddar or Parmesan right before serving. If you prefer a lighter version, cut the butter back to 4 tablespoons and use a splash of chicken or vegetable broth when cooking the cabbage to keep it moist. A pinch of caraway seeds or garlic powder can give it an old-fashioned, Amish-style flavor twist, and a squeeze of lemon or a splash of apple cider vinegar at the end adds brightness if the dish feels too heavy. Leftovers reheat nicely in a skillet with just a touch more butter or water to loosen them up.