Delicious Creamy Nduja Pasta Recipe

Creamy Nduja Pasta is a rich and flavorful dish that brings together the spiciness of nduja, a soft Italian sausage, with a luscious, creamy sauce.

This dish is simple to make yet tastes gourmet, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner or an impressive meal for guests.

Kitchen Equipment Needed

• Large pot
• Large skillet
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Colander

Ingredients

For the Pasta and Sauce:

• 12 oz pasta (penne, rigatoni, or spaghetti)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 oz nduja sausage
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (optional)

For Garnish:

• Red pepper flakes (optional)
• Extra Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Cook the Pasta:
   Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta.
2. Sauté Onion and Garlic:
   Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute.
3. Cook the Nduja:
   Add the nduja sausage to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook for 3-4 minutes, allowing it to melt and infuse the oil with its spicy flavors.
4. Deglaze with Wine:
   Pour in the white wine and stir, scraping the bottom of the skillet to release any browned bits. Let it simmer for 2 minutes.
5. Make the Creamy Sauce:
   Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream. Simmer gently for 3-4 minutes, then stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
6. Combine Pasta and Sauce:
   Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing to coat it in the sauce. If needed, use the reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce to your desired consistency.
7. Season and Serve:
   Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh parsley, red pepper flakes, and extra Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately.

Prep Time

10 minutes

Cook Time

20 minutes

Total Time

30 minutes

Nutrition (Per Serving)

Calories: 480
Protein: 15g
Carbohydrates: 55g
Fat: 20g
Sugar: 3g

Expert Tips

• Adjust the Spice Level: Nduja is naturally spicy, but you can add more red pepper flakes for an extra kick.
• Use Quality Parmesan: Freshly grated Parmesan cheese enhances the creaminess and flavor of the sauce.
• Pasta Water Magic: The starchy pasta water helps bind the sauce to the pasta for a silky texture.

FAQs

What is nduja?
Nduja is a spreadable Italian pork sausage that is seasoned with chili peppers, giving it a rich, spicy flavor.

Can I use a substitute for nduja?
If you can’t find nduja, try substituting with spicy Italian sausage, finely crumbled, or a mix of chorizo and chili paste.

What wine pairs well with this dish?
A crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc pairs beautifully with the creamy and spicy flavors.

Storing & Reheating

Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Reheat in a skillet over low heat with a splash of cream or pasta water to maintain the creamy texture.

Substitutions & Variations

• Gluten-Free: Use your favorite gluten-free pasta.
• Vegetarian: Replace nduja with sun-dried tomatoes and chili flakes for a similar spicy flavor.
• Cheese Variation: Substitute Parmesan with Pecorino Romano for a sharper taste.

Delicious Creamy Nduja Pasta Recipe

Creamy Nduja Pasta is a rich and flavorful dish that brings together the spiciness of nduja, a soft Italian sausage, with a luscious, creamy sauce. This dish is simple to make yet tastes gourmet, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner or an impressive meal for guests

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Equipment

• Large pot
• - Large skillet
• - Wooden spoon or spatula
• Measuring cups and spoons
• - Colander

Ingredients

  

• **For the Pasta and Sauce:**
• - 12 oz pasta penne, rigatoni, or spaghetti
• - 2 tbsp olive oil
• - 1 small onion finely chopped
• - 2 garlic cloves minced
• - 3 oz nduja sausage
• - 1/2 cup dry white wine
• - 1 cup heavy cream
• - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• - Salt and black pepper to taste
• - 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley optional
• **For Garnish:**
• - Red pepper flakes optional
• - Extra Parmesan cheese

Instructions

 

• **Cook the Pasta:**
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta.
• **Sauté Onion and Garlic:**
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute.
• **Cook the Nduja:**
• Add the nduja sausage to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook for 3-4 minutes, allowing it to melt and infuse the oil with its spicy flavors.
• **Deglaze with Wine:**
• Pour in the white wine and stir, scraping the bottom of the skillet to release any browned bits. Let it simmer for 2 minutes.
• **Make the Creamy Sauce:**
• Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream. Simmer gently for 3-4 minutes, then stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
• **Combine Pasta and Sauce:**
• Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing to coat it in the sauce. If needed, use the reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce to your desired consistency.
• **Season and Serve:**
• Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh parsley, red pepper flakes, and extra Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately.