Fried cabbage and noodles is the epitome of uncomplicated comfort food! If you enjoy the simplicity of buttered noodles with a sprinkle of salt and pepper, you must give a shot to the delightful combination of caramelized onions and sautéed cabbage. These two additional ingredients not only enhance the flavor and texture, but also introduce a touch of vegetable goodness to the dish. 😉 Despite its simplicity and affordability, this dish can serve as a fantastic side dish or serve as a foundation for a more elaborate meal.
Why are Fried Cabbage and Noodles SO GOOD??
The main contributor to the incredible taste of this dish is undoubtedly the butter, accompanied by the delightful addition of caramelized onions. The combination of the slightly sweet caramel flavor, creamy butter, and hints of salt and pepper on the surface of the noodles is simply irresistible. Additionally, the tender cabbage and delicate egg noodles should not be underestimated. This uncomplicated dish is bursting with a multitude of flavors and textures that must be savored to truly appreciate its magnificence.
What do You Serve with Fried Cabbage and Noodles?
This dish is not only tasty and satisfying, but it also offers great versatility. It can be served as a side dish alongside fresh or smoked sausage (kielbasa pairs exceptionally well), pork chops, ham, or roast chicken. Additionally, you can enhance the fried cabbage and noodles by adding ingredients into or on top of them, transforming it into a wonderful bowl meal. I personally enjoy topping mine with a fried egg, but you can also brown some bacon or smoked sausage in the pot before adding the onion, and combine the sausage or bacon with the cabbage and noodles.
How Long Does Cabbage and Noodles Last?
Although this dish maintains its freshness for approximately four days when stored in the refrigerator, it tends to develop a sulfurous odor due to the cabbage. However, since there is no substantial sauce to prevent the noodles from drying out, fried cabbage and noodles may not be suitable for freezing.
Have some cabbage left over? Try out our delicious Cabbage Soup Recipe!
How to Make Fried Cabbage and Noodles – Step by Step Photos
To start, cut a yellow onion into strips that are about 1/4 inch thick. Then, place the sliced onion along with 2 tablespoons of cooking oil into a large pot.
To achieve the desired flavor, sauté the onions on medium to medium-high heat until they become soft and develop a browned edge. It is crucial to maintain high heat for the moisture to evaporate rapidly while sautéing, allowing the onions to brown properly.
As the onions sauté, take out the core from half a head of cabbage and proceed to slice it into strips that are approximately half an inch wide. It is advisable to opt for thinner cabbage strips as they will require less time to cook compared to larger pieces.
Place the sliced cabbage into the pot along with a pinch of salt and approximately 1/4 cup of water. Sauté the cabbage until it becomes soft, which should take around 15 minutes. As you stir, utilize the water to dissolve any browned bits sticking to the bottom of the pot. Additionally, the water will contribute to steaming and tenderizing the cabbage.
After initiating the cabbage, proceed to cook the egg noodles. Heat a pot of water and bring it to a boiling point. Once it starts boiling, introduce 8 oz. of wide egg noodles. Allow the noodles to cook until they become tender, which usually takes around 7 minutes. Afterward, drain the noodles using a colander.
After the cabbage has become tender, it is now the appropriate moment to put together the dish.
After turning off the heat, combine the cooked and drained noodles, 2 tablespoons of butter, and a liberal amount of salt and pepper with the cabbage in the pot.
Combine everything by stirring and let the butter melt with the remaining heat. Taste it once more and add extra salt and pepper according to your preference. If you enjoy spiciness, you can even sprinkle some crushed red pepper. Serve while warm.
Simple, delicious, comfort!