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German Phrase

Nudeln mit einer einfachen Sauce.

/ˈnuːdl̩n mɪt ˈaɪ̯nɐ ˈaɪ̯nfaχən ˈzaʊ̯sə/
Meaning"Pasta with a simple sauce."
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Meaning

Literally ‘pasta with a simple sauce’, this phrase describes a basic, no‑fuss meal of noodles served with a light, uncomplicated sauce. It’s often used when the focus is on quick, everyday cooking rather than gourmet presentation.

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When to use

Use this expression when you’re talking about a casual dinner, a quick lunch, or describing a recipe that doesn’t require many ingredients. It’s also handy when ordering at a German restaurant that offers a ‘simple sauce’ option.

✦Grammar Breakdown

NudelnmiteinereinfachenSauce

1

Nudeln (plural noun)

‘Nudeln’ is the plural of ‘Nudel’; it takes plural verb forms when it is the subject.

2

mit (preposition)

‘mit’ always governs the dative case, so the noun phrase after it must be dative.

3

einer (indefinite article, dative feminine)

Because ‘Sauce’ is feminine, the dative indefinite article is ‘einer’.

4

einfachen (adjective declension)

After an indefinite article in the dative, adjectives take the weak ending ‘-en’.

5

Sauce (feminine noun)

‘Sauce’ (also written ‘Soße’) is a feminine noun; in the dative it stays ‘Sauce’.

🗨In Conversation

A

Was gibt es heute zum Abendessen?

What’s for dinner tonight?

Nudeln mit einer einfachen Sauce.

Pasta with a simple sauce.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Nudeln mit einer einfacher Sauce.

    After ‘einer’, the adjective must take the weak dative ending ‘-en’, not the strong ‘-er’.

  • Nudeln mit der einfachen Sauce.

    ‘Sauce’ is feminine; the correct dative article is ‘einer’, not the masculine ‘der’.

  • Nudeln mit einer einfachen Sosse.

    The correct spelling is ‘Sauce’ (or ‘Soße’); ‘Sosse’ is a common misspelling.

↔Alternatives

  • Pasta mit einer simplen Soße.

    Pasta with a simple sauce.

  • Nudeln mit einer leichten Sauce.

    Noodles with a light sauce.

  • Spaghetti mit Tomatensauce.

    Spaghetti with tomato sauce.

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Cultural Tip

In German households, ‘Nudeln mit einer einfachen Sauce’ often means butter, herbs, and a pinch of salt, or a quick tomato‑based sauce. The word ‘Sauce’ can also be spelled ‘Soße’; the latter is the traditional German orthography, while ‘Sauce’ follows the newer spelling reform. Both are correct, but ‘Soße’ is more common in everyday speech.