When it comes to comfort food, Pioneer Woman Beef Stroganoff is a classic dish that many home cooks turn to. Traditionally served over egg noodles to create a hearty and complete meal, it’s a recipe that promises satisfaction. However, Ree Drummond, the Pioneer Woman herself, suggests a slightly different approach: serving her beef stroganoff with Buttered Parsley Noodles. This immediately sparked my curiosity. Would these simple buttered noodles stand up to the rich and savory stroganoff? I decided to try this pairing to see if it elevates the classic stroganoff experience.
Initially, I was a bit unsure about using regular pasta, specifically pappardelle as suggested in the recipe, instead of the more traditional egg noodles. Pappardelle, being thicker than linguine, seemed like it might make the overall dish too heavy when combined with the beef. Egg noodles are lighter and often considered the go-to for stroganoff. Nevertheless, in the spirit of exploring Pioneer Woman’s culinary recommendations and expanding my own recipe repertoire, I decided to prepare these Buttered Parsley Noodles as a side.
The recipe for Buttered Parsley Noodles is remarkably straightforward, making it an excellent choice for a quick side dish, especially on busy weeknights. It’s essentially buttered noodles, but elevated with a vibrant flavor profile. The inclusion of pappardelle noodles was a first for me, and I found them to be a pleasant alternative to egg noodles. While pappardelle is a long pasta, similar in shape to fettuccine, its thickness provides a satisfying bite. This recipe cleverly combines simple yet impactful ingredients: garlic, lemon zest and juice, fresh parsley, and of course, butter. The combination creates a bright, herbaceous, and flavorful noodle dish that comes together in minutes.
Preparing the Buttered Parsley Noodles is incredibly quick. While the beef stroganoff simmers, you can easily whip up these noodles. The garlic and lemon infuse the butter, creating a sauce that coats the pappardelle beautifully. The fresh parsley adds a final touch of freshness and color. The simplicity of this side dish is definitely a highlight.
However, when paired with the Pioneer Woman Beef Stroganoff, I felt that while the Buttered Parsley Noodles were enjoyable on their own, they didn’t particularly enhance the stroganoff experience. In this instance, I believe traditional egg noodles might have been a more complementary choice. The richness of the stroganoff might be better balanced by the softer texture and slightly different flavor profile of egg noodles.
In conclusion, Pioneer Woman’s Buttered Parsley Noodles are a delicious and easy side dish that stands well on its own. They are flavorful, quick to prepare, and introduce a nice change from standard buttered pasta. While they are a perfectly acceptable accompaniment to Beef Stroganoff, for a truly classic and perhaps more harmonious pairing, traditional egg noodles might still be the preferred option. However, if you are looking for a flavorful and simple side to serve with beef stroganoff or any other main course, these Buttered Parsley Noodles are definitely worth trying.
