Variety is the spice of life.
Do I love pasta? Yes!
Can I eat pasta everyday? No.
Unfortunately pasta is one of those carbs that really sticks to my hips. Even my properly prepared Sprouted Sourdough Pasta will weigh me down if I eat it all the time.
I developed this easy garlic butter cabbage noodles recipe for those times when I’m watching my carbohydrate intake. Loaded with garlic-buttery goodness it does a really good job convincing me that I don’t need starchy pasta to feel satisfied.
Healthy Fat Is Where It’s At!
Butter and garlic are the stars of this carb free noodle. The butter is packed with fat soluble vitamins and it keeps me full and satiated. Don’t forget an extra generous serving of fresh shaved parmesan to top these noodles off!
Easy Herbs And Spices
You wouldn’t know it but this recipe has only eight real food ingredients. Four of them are herbs and spices! The flavors of garlic, basil, oregano and chili flakes come together to create a sophisticated taste that will please the most discerning gourmand.
A Cut Above
The next photos will demonstrate exactly how to cut a head of cabbage to achieve long noodle like strands.
Cut the cabbage head in half. Remove the core by cutting out a pyramid shaped wedge.
Cut straight down the middle of the halves, creating four equal chunks.
Flip the sections over and slice them vertically (the same direction as the spine of the leaf). Make each slice about 1/2″ thick.
Separate the cut pieces into noodle like strands ready for cooking.
Complete The Dish
Here are a few ideas of interesting ingredients to add to these noodles!
- Bacon – Sauté some bacon along with the garlic to add flavor, fat and protein.
- Sausage – Sauté some spicy homemade Italian sausage with the garlic.
- Meatballs – Make some homemade meatballs to serve alongside.
- Marinara – Prefer red sauce with your noodles? Make the easy, low-carb, homemade version in this recipe and add it in at the end of cooking.
Tell me how you complete the dish below in the comments!

Garlic Butter Cabbage Noodles
These easy, keto friendly "noodles" are made from the humble cabbage. Humble no more, this dish elevates cabbage and makes it a star.
Ingredients
- 1 Head Green Cabbage
- 1/4 Cup Butter
- 1 Bulb Fresh Garlic
- 1 Teaspoon Dried Oregano
- 1 Teaspoon Dried Basil
- 1 Teaspoon Salt
- 1/4 Teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
- 1/2 Cup Parmesan, Shaved
Instructions
- Cut cabbage into long narrow strips about 1/2 inch thick. Set it aside.
- Peel and mince the garlic.
- In a large skillet melt the butter over medium-high heat.
- Once the butter is melted and bubbly add the garlic. Sauté the garlic just until it starts to brown. Add the herbs, salt and chili flakes to the garlic and stir them in well.
- Add the cabbage and toss gently to coat. Cook the cabbage until it starts to wilt and becomes tender. You want it to be just cooked. If you cook it too long it will release too much juice. A good indicator that it is done is when it just starts to release some juices.
- Move the noodles to a serving bowl or plates and top them with shaved parmesan!
Low-Carb Favorites
Bacon Wrapped Halibut
Dutch Oven Whole Stewed Chicken
Lemon Blueberry Frozen Cheesecake Bombs
Toasted Coconut Cupcakes
Va “Tedi” Rankin
Tuesday 9th of June 2020
Am I interpreting the ingredient list correctly ~ a whole “bulb” of garlic as opposed to just a “clove” of garlic?
Butter For All
Friday 12th of June 2020
Hi Tedi,
You are! I use one whole "bulb" of garlic... Perhaps I should change the recipe to "head of garlic", as that might be the more common phrase. Thanks for asking the question and helping me consider my phrasing!
Happy Cooking!
Courtney
Janna
Monday 28th of January 2019
These cabbage noodles are great! I made marinara as a topping and added some spicy lamb Italian sausage. What a wonderful meal! So much like spaghetti, but better!
Irena Macri
Tuesday 22nd of January 2019
Amazing! Cabbage noodles are so underrated and I feel like this side is so versatile - and also very kid-friendly.
Butter For All
Saturday 26th of January 2019
Hi Irena!
Thank you! You are so right, cabbage is often overlooked but this recipe will make it a star! I hope everyone enjoys it!
Kiran Dodeja Smith
Tuesday 22nd of January 2019
I saute cabbage in butter often and top it with S & P, but I love how you give other ideas of how to really make it into a meal. Great ideas here!
Butter For All
Saturday 26th of January 2019
Hi Kiran,
Thanks! It's such an easy base for so many dishes. I find myself making it over and over again! Enjoy!
Carol Little R.H. @studiobotanica
Tuesday 22nd of January 2019
Well this is exciting! Love this recipe. Will share this one with my friends and bet we'll be organizing a cabbage pasta party soon!!
Butter For All
Saturday 26th of January 2019
Hi Carol!
Any excuse to have a party, right?! ❤️