Comeback king Hasney Aljofree extended PlymouthÂ’s unbeaten run to eight matches with a headed winner just after the hour.
Defender Aljofree was making a rare starting appearance for the Devon side, in place of the injured Tony Barras, and his goal and man of the match performance will have given Plymouth manager Paul Sturrock a rare selection headache.
Notts County made just one change form the side that beat Barnsley 3-2 on Boxing Day with defender Kevin Nicholson replacing suspended striker Mark Stallard.
Sturrock sprang his second major surprise of the festive season, handing a first start after two and a half years out through injury to former Scottish international midfielder Paul Bernard.
The first half contained little to impress Plymouth's largest crowd of the season, 11,981, and it was not until after half time when Martin Phillips replaced Osvaldo Lopes that the home side stated to shine.
Steve Adams fired in a shot that went just wide of County goalkeeper Steve MildenhallÂ’s post and then Ian Stonebridge had a shot blocked by Ian Richardson with Plymouth's players appealing furiously for a penalty for handball.
The visitorsÂ’ stubborn resistance was broken just after the hour when Argyle forced three corners in quick succession.
From the third, Graham Coughlan headed the ball back across the goal for his centre back partner Aljofree to head home.
County brought on striker Shaun Harrad for Nicholson with 20 minutes to go as County chased an equaliser but HarradÂ’s first action was to clear another Aljofree header from the goal-line.
The last 15 minutes belonged totally to Argyle and it was a wonder they did not add to their tally. Micky Evans, Phillips, and Stonebridge all went close to adding to the Pilgrims' tally as the crowd were sent home in a happy holiday mood.