Simple Cabbage and Pasta

This humble yet incredibly satisfying dish proves that sometimes the simplest recipes are the most delicious. With just cabbage, pasta, onion, and butter, you’ll create a comforting meal that transforms these everyday ingredients into something truly special. The slow-cooked cabbage becomes sweet and tender, while the buttery noodles soak up all those wonderful flavors. It’s the kind of recipe that will have you wondering why you never thought to combine these ingredients before.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients:

• 10 oz extra wide egg noodles / 280g
• 1 small green cabbage / about 1-1.5 lbs or 450-680g
• 1 yellow onion / about 150g
• 6 tbsp butter / 85g

Seasonings:

• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste

Instructions

Preparing the Pasta

1. Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil over high heat.
2. Add the extra wide egg noodles to the boiling water and cook according to package directions until al dente.
3. Reserve one ladle (about ½ cup) of the starchy pasta cooking water before draining.
4. Drain the noodles and set aside.

Preparing the Vegetables

5. Remove the outer leaves from the small green cabbage and cut it in half.
6. Remove the core and slice the cabbage into thin strips, about ¼ inch wide.
7. Peel and dice the yellow onion into medium-sized pieces (you can omit the onion if you prefer).

Cooking the Cabbage Mixture

8. In a large skillet or wide pan, melt 5 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
9. Add the diced onion to the melted butter and season with salt and black pepper.
10. Cook the onions for 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until they become translucent and lightly golden.
11. Add the sliced cabbage to the pan and season generously with salt and black pepper.
12. Stir the cabbage well to coat it with the butter and mix it with the onions.

Slow-Cooking the Cabbage

13. Reduce the heat to low and cover the pan with a lid.
14. Cook the cabbage mixture for about 25 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
15. The cabbage should become very tender and lightly caramelized, with a sweet and savory flavor.

Combining Everything

16. Add the cooked and drained noodles to the pan with the cabbage mixture.
17. Pour in the reserved pasta cooking water and add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter.
18. Stir everything together over low heat for about 1 minute, allowing the pasta to absorb some of the flavors.
19. Taste the dish and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if necessary.
20. Serve immediately while hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.

Time and Serving Information

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Serves: 4-6 people
Nutrition per serving: Approximately 320 calories, 8g protein, 4g fiber, rich in vitamin C and vitamin K

Why This Recipe is Healthy and Delicious

This simple cabbage and pasta dish offers surprising nutritional benefits while delivering maximum comfort food satisfaction. Cabbage is a nutritional powerhouse, packed with vitamin C, vitamin K, and fiber while being naturally low in calories. When slow-cooked, cabbage develops a sweet, caramelized flavor that transforms this humble vegetable into something truly special.

The butter provides richness and helps the body absorb fat-soluble vitamins from the cabbage, while the egg noodles offer satisfying carbohydrates and some protein. This combination creates a balanced, filling meal that won’t leave you feeling heavy or sluggish. The high fiber content from the cabbage helps promote digestive health and keeps you feeling satisfied longer.

This recipe represents the beauty of traditional, peasant-style cooking where simple, affordable ingredients are transformed into something delicious and nourishing. It’s proof that you don’t need expensive or exotic ingredients to create a meal that’s both satisfying and wholesome. The slow cooking process allows the natural sugars in the cabbage to develop, creating complex flavors from the simplest of ingredients.