🥓 Savory Bacon Cabbage Noodles
A simple, budget-friendly comfort meal featuring tender cabbage, crispy bacon, buttery noodles, and plenty of savory flavor. It’s quick enough for a weeknight dinner and satisfying enough for the whole family.
Ingredients
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8 oz (225 g) egg noodles
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6 slices bacon, chopped
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½ medium head green cabbage, thinly sliced
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1 small onion, diced
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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2 tablespoons butter
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½ teaspoon black pepper
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½ teaspoon paprika
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¼ teaspoon salt, or to taste
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½ teaspoon caraway seeds, optional
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2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
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¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, optional
Instructions
1. Cook the Noodles
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Cook the egg noodles according to the package directions until just tender. Drain, reserving about ½ cup of the cooking water.
2. Cook the Bacon
While the noodles cook, heat a large skillet over medium heat.
Add the chopped bacon and cook until browned and crisp, about 5–7 minutes.
Transfer some of the bacon to a plate, leaving about 2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the skillet.
3. Sauté the Vegetables
Add the diced onion to the skillet and cook for 3–4 minutes, until softened.
Add the cabbage and cook for 7–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender and lightly caramelized.
Stir in the garlic, paprika, black pepper, and optional caraway seeds. Cook for another minute.
4. Combine Everything
Add the cooked noodles and butter to the skillet.
Toss everything together until the butter melts and the noodles are coated. If the mixture seems dry, add a splash of reserved noodle water.
5. Finish
Stir most of the crispy bacon back into the noodles.
Taste before adding salt because bacon is already salty.
Top with the remaining bacon, fresh parsley, and Parmesan if desired.
🍽️ Easy Variations
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More protein: Add sliced smoked sausage or shredded cooked chicken.
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Spicy: Add red pepper flakes or a little hot sauce.
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Creamy: Stir in 2–3 tablespoons of sour cream just before serving.
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Extra vegetables: Add sliced mushrooms, carrots, or bell peppers.
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Hungarian-inspired: Increase the paprika and add a pinch of caraway seeds.
⭐ Best Tip
Let the cabbage cook until it develops golden-brown edges rather than simply steaming it. That caramelization gives the dish a deeper, sweeter flavor that pairs beautifully with the salty bacon.
