Our recipe for Hungarian Cabbage Noodles (Káposztás Tészta) is one of our all-time favorite comfort foods.
Being of Hungarian descent this simple dish of buttery noodles and sweet sautéed cabbage is a favorite side for family gatherings. It’s easy to prepare and goes great with a wide variety of main dishes.
Hungarian Cabbage Noodles
This traditional recipe for Hungarian Cabbage Noodles (Káposztás Tészta) is a simple combination of buttery egg noodles and sautéed cabbage.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces broad egg noodles
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 small sweet onion, chopped (about 3/4 cup)
- 1 medium head of cabbage, about 8 cups, chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt, or more to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or more to taste
- 1/3 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1/4 cup bread crumbs
- 1 tablespoon butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a large, shallow casserole dish with nonstick spray.
- Prepare the egg noodles according to package directions, drain and set aside.
- Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until it begins to soften.
- Add about 1/3 of the chopped cabbage, season with a pinch of salt and cook until wilted and reduced in bulk.
- Repeat with the other two batches of cabbage, being sure to season with a bit more salt each time.
- Continue cooking until the cabbage begins to caramelize slightly and edges turn golden.
- Add a few grinds of black pepper, and adjust the salt to taste. Stir in the chicken broth and milk, and cook until heated through.
- Combine the cabbage mixture with the drained noodles and toss to distribute well. Taste for seasoning again and adjust if necessary.
- Transfer the noodles to the prepared casserole. Cover tightly and bake for 45 to 50 minutes.
- Remove from the oven, sprinkle with the breadcrumbs and dot with the extra tablespoon of butter.
- Raise the oven temperature to 375° and return the noodles to the oven for about 5 minutes, or until the top browns a little and the crumbs toast slightly.
Recipe Notes
Our original family recipe for cabbage noodles called for 2 sticks of butter to a one-pound package of egg noodles, a rather outrageous (albeit delicious) amount by today’s standards.
We replaced that second stick of butter with a combination of chicken broth and milk. You can also use yolk-free egg noodles, low-fat milk and a good tasting butter blend (like Smart Balance) to cut the fat even more.
Naturally, the dish is not as rich, but the flavor remains pretty much on target.
Special Note: Recipes such as this vary from family to family and region to region, and they continue to evolve as they are passed down through the generations, often depending on changes in personal tastes, access to ingredients and sometimes even dietary restrictions. We welcome constructive feedback about recipe variations and family traditions, but insulting, purely contradictory comments will not be published.
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Tom says
One of my all time favorites. We always add a bit of caraway seed.
Lynne Webb says
Hi Tom,
Caraway is a nice flavor and it goes so well with cabbage. Thanks for sharing.
Kim swearingen says
I had a friend who made this but added some chopped ham and (i think) a scrambled egg
Lynne Webb says
Hi Kim,
The addition of ham and egg is a good way to turn this dish into main course. Thanks for sharing the idea.
Roxi says
This recipe looks like the one my mom used to make… in other words, amazing. I don’t remember what it was served with, sausage, beef, chicken… What would go best with it? Thanks!
Lynne Webb says
Hi Roxi,
I like to serve cabbage noodles with simple preparations of pork and chicken. Roast pork loin or tenderloins are the first things that come to mind. Breaded pork chops, oven fried chicken, whole roast chicken, old-fashioned meatloaf and baked ham are good choices too.
David Hicks says
Ahhhhh, I’ve got to try this. Eastern Europe has such great recipes for Cabbage. Can’t wait!!!!! Thank you for sharing.
Lynne Webb says
Thanks David – we’ve never served them to anyone who didn’t love them – enjoy!
Bela Bacsi says
Same as above except no milk, when tossing egg noodles and cabbage add 2 teaspoons of sugar and a teaspoon of paprika.(can also add Hungarian bacon which is dry rubbed with paprika.)
I am an old Hungarian and this is how we made it at home.
Lynne Webb says
Hi Bela,
Thanks for sharing your family recipe with us. I like the idea of adding a little sugar and some paprika and will be sure to give it a try. The Hungarian bacon sounds good too!
Leah Crowe says
This looks and sounds amazing. I can’t wait to try it!! Being of Hungarian descent too, do you have a good Chicken papricash (spelling) recipe on hand?
Daily Spud says
I’m always looking for different things to do with cabbage, which I find a challenge at times, and this dish looks lovely – real comfort food!