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Caramelized Cabbage Pasta plated in a bowl

Caramelized Cabbage Pasta with Hazelnuts

A simple Italian cabbage pasta where slow-caramelized cabbage creates a silky sauce—no cream, no meat, just olive oil, Pecorino, fresh thyme and toasted halzenut. Simple, comforting and great for the cold weather.
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Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Course: Main Course, Pasta
Cuisine: Italian, Mediterranean
Diet: Vegetarian
Keyword: Cabbage Pasta Recipes, Cabbage recipes, Caramelized Cabbage, Caramelized Cabbage Pasta, Green cabbage
Difficulty: Beginner
Servings: 4
Calories: 486kcal

Ingredients

  • 8 oz spaghetti whole wheat
  • 1 lb cabbage green
  • 4 oz onion yellow
  • 2.5 oz hazelnuts toasted
  • 4 sprigs thyme fresh
  • 4 tbsp olive oil extra virgin
  • 1 handful coarse salt
  • 1 pinch pepper black, freshly grounded
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 6 tbsp pasta water

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil.
  • Remove tough outer leaves from the Savoy cabbage. Cut it in half, remove the core completely, and slice the cabbage very thinly. Thinly slice one small onion as well.
  • Heat extra virgin olive oil in a wide pan over medium heat. Add the sliced onion with a pinch of salt and cook gently for 5–7 minutes, until soft and translucent but not browned.
  • Add the sliced cabbage and another pinch of salt. Toss well to coat everything in oil. If the pan becomes too dry at any point, add a small splash of water, not more oil. This helps the vegetables caramelize evenly without frying.
  • Cook the whole wheat spaghetti until very al dente.
  • Reserve at least 1 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain.
  • Add the pasta to the pan with the caramelized cabbage.
  • Pour in ½ cup reserved pasta water and toss over medium heat until glossy and well coated.
  • Turn off the heat. Toss again, adding more pasta water as needed to create a silky sauce.
  • Plate and top with hazelnuts, thyme, Pecorino Romano and black pepper
  • Serve immediately with extra Pecorino and black pepper.

Nutrition

Calories: 486kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 26g | Sodium: 705mg | Potassium: 488mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 163IU | Vitamin C: 46mg | Calcium: 89mg | Iron: 2mg
Have you tried to make it?Mention @Italian_Kitchen_Confessions or tag #Italian_Kitchen_Confessions!