This traditional Hungarian dish has intense smoky bacon flavour with caramelized onion, cabbage with pasta. A popular recipe we ate often growing up. A simply recipe that only takes 20 minutes.
This pasta dish has been in my family for generations. Growing up on the farm we had access to curing our own bacon and large vegetable gardens. So this dish was made often, along with other Hungarian pasta dishes. What makes this pasta taste sooo good is the smoked bacon, and don’t get me wrong, I love caramelized onion and sautéed cabbage.
This dish could easily be made into a vegan dish, and still be very flavourful. Remove the bacon and include additional vegetables.
ONLY A FEW INGREDIENTS NEEDED
- egg noodles
- smoked butcher’s bacon
- vegetable oil
- onion
- green cabbage
- salt
- pepper
AN EASY, SIMPLE DISH THAT IS SO FLAVOURFUL
If you need a quick meal that you family will love, this is it! Anyone who has had the privilege of eating this Hungarian cabbage noodle dish with bacon will agree wih me that this dish is one of their favourite meals. A popular dish in Hungary and those who continue to make this dish because it is a traditional and classic meal you will want to make over and over again. I would love to hear your comments once you try this dish.
HOW TO MAKE THIS DELICIOUS DISH
Slice cabbage in 1/4 inch slices and cut the bacon into 1/2 inch slices. Fry the bacon in a skillet or fry pan. Once bacon is cooked, transfer to a plate and leave the bacon fat in the pan.
Add onions and pan-fry until the start to caramelize, then add the cabbage to skillet/fry pan and cover, stirring occasionally. Cook until cabbage has soften and is transparent, and caramelized This takes approximately 10-12 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Then stir in the bacon and pasta.
Enjoy this simple traditional Hungarian dish! It’s filled with lots of flavour and definitely makes an easy weekday comfort meal. Garnish this delicious dish with fresh dill or parsley and a few scallions.
FAQ
Can I use a different pasta instead of the eggs noodles shown in your recipe? I would suggest to use a fettuccini or linguine, or a loose noodle for this dish.
Can I use store bought bacon if I can’t find butcher’s bacon? If you can’t find butcher’s bacon or it is more convenient to purchase store-bought bacon, then I would suggest to ask at the deli counter if they have butcher’s bacon and if they don’t then I would add 2-3 more slices of store-bought bacon to this recipe.
Hungarian Noodles with Carmelized Cabbage and Bacon- Káposzta Tészta
Equipment
- skillet or fry pan
Ingredients
- 12 oz egg noodles
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 6 slices smoked butcher's bacon, cut 1/2 inch slices
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil (if necessary)
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 1 small head of green cabbage, cored and thinly sliced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- dill, for garnishing
Instructions
- Prepare a medium size pot for egg noodle pasta, once boiled, add salt and pasta. Cook until al denta, drain and set aside.
- In a skillet or fry pan, over medium heat, cook sliced bacon until slightly crispy, remove and transfer to a plate.
- Add onion to skillet or fry pan, and sauté until transparent and starts to caramelize. A tablespoon or two of oil may need to be added if bacon was too lean.
- Add cabbage to skillet/fry pan and cover, stirring occasionally. Cook until cabbage has soften and is transparent, and caramelized This takes approximately 10-12 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
- Add the pasta, and bacon to the skillet/fry pan, and toss until well combined. Check the seasoning if anymore needs to be added. Garnish with dill is desired.
- Serve warm and enjoy as a main dish.
Thanks for shar ing this amazing recipe.my family loved it.will be sharing this recipe with my friend s.they will like it.
Hi Ashok,
So glad you enjoyed this recipe and planning to share it with your friends. It’s been a family favourite for many generations.
Rose
This is the food if my childhood ! I can’t tell you how much I loved káposztás tészta!!!!
I must start cooking it ! It’s just I try to eat as low carb as possible
Have you ever made krumplis tészta? I could have it every day !
Hello Maria,
I completely understand, it is such a flavourful pasta dish!! It is one of my favourite childhood dish too. Egg noodles are light and have less carb, however, a gluten free option would also work. I don’t recall having krumplis tészta, but isn’t similar to Paprikás Krumpli with pasta? Maybe when I was very young 🙂 I will have to make it. I so appreciate your comment and rating.
Thank you!
Rose
I love this dish my Mom made it and added some minced garlic to it
One of my favorite dished
Hi LaVern,
Thank you for your comment and rating. I really like the idea of adding garlic 🙂
Thank you for sharing,
Rose