Cajun Cabbage and Noodles

March 26, 2019

Cabbage and noodles is one of those super simple, no-frills comfort foods. The flavors aren’t complex or even particularly special, it’s just straight up satisfying and comforting. A lot of people add a little smoked sausage to their cabbage and noodles to round out the meal, which got me thinking, “a handful of Cajun spices would probably be awesome in there too!” So if you want to take your cabbage and noodles up a level, try these Cajun Cabbage and Noodles. They’re still simple and satisfying, just with a little Cajun kick. ;)

Cajun Cabbage and Noodles

A bowl of Cajun Cabbage and Noodles with a black spoon and fork stuck in the side of the bowl. Green onions sprinkled on top.

Are Cajun Cabbage and Noodles Spicy?

Yes. Absolutely yes. If you must, you can reduce the heat by reducing or eliminating the cayenne pepper in the spice mix, but I wouldn’t suggest skipping the sprinkle of hot sauce on top at the end. That little sprinkle of vinegar flavor really makes everything pop. 

What Kind of Hot Sauce Should I Use?

If you want to stick with the Cajun/Louisiana theme, I suggest Louisiana Brand hot sauce, Cajun Chef hot sauce, Crystal hot sauce, Slap Ya Mama hot sauce, or perhaps Zatarain’s hot sauce. Of course, Louisiana hot sauces aren’t always available outside of the region, so a simple Tabasco or your favorite hot sauce will still work if that’s what is available.

What Kind of Smoked Sausage is Best?

Andouille will give you the most Cajun flavor, but again, that isn’t always widely available. Any sausage with a good smoky flavor will do the trick! I’m going to go ahead and openly admit that I bought the Kroger brand smoked sausage for this because it was on sale for $2.50. Do what you gotta do. 

 

Cajun Cabbage and Noodles

Cajun Cabbage and Noodles is a fun spin on the classic comfort food with a handful of Cajun spices, some smoked sausage, and a splash of hot sauce. 

Cajun Spice Mix

  • 1 tsp smoked paprika ($0.10)
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano ($0.05)
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme ($0.05)
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder ($0.02)
  • 1/4 tsp onion powder ($0.02)
  • 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper ($0.01)
  • 1/4 tsp salt ($0.02)
  • freshly cracked pepper (about 1/4 tsp) ($0.03)

Cabbage and Noodles

  • 1 Tbsp cooking oil ($0.04)
  • 13 oz. smoked sausage* ($2.50)
  • 6 cups shredded cabbage (1/2 of a 2.5 lb. head) ($0.95)
  • 1/4 cup water ($0.00)
  • 8 oz. wide egg noodles ($1.00)
  • 2 Tbsp butter (or more to taste) ($0.36)
  • 2 green onions, sliced ($0.11)
  • hot sauce to taste ($0..25)
  1. Combine the spices for the Cajun spice mix in a bowl, then set them aside. Finely shred the cabbage.

  2. Add the cooking oil to a large pot and heat over medium. Slice the smoked sausage, then add it to the pot. Stir and cook the sausage until it is well browned.

  3. While the sausage is browning, begin boiling a pot of water for the egg noodles. Once boiling, add the noodles, and continue to boil until they are tender. Drain the noodles in a colander.

  4. Add the shredded cabbage, Cajun spice mix, and water to the pot with the sausage. Stir to combine, then place a lid on top. Cook over medium, with the lid in place, stirring occasionally, for about 5-7 minutes, or until the cabbage is wilted.

  5. Once the cabbage is wilted, add the cooked and drained egg noodles and butter. Stir to combine and melt the butter. Once the butter is melted and coating the cabbage and noodles, taste the mixture and add more salt if needed.

  6. Add a sprinkle of sliced green onions and a splash of hot sauce to each bowl just before serving.

*The sausage I bought came in a strange size package, 13oz. You can use anywhere from 12-16 oz. of sausage for this recipe with no adjustments needed.

Can I Use Store Bought Cajun Seasoning?

Yes, although many store bought Cajun seasoning blends contain a lot of salt, so you do risk over salting your dish. Instead, I made a hlaf batch of my own Cajun Seasoning Blend for this recipe. 

Front view of a bowl of Cajun Cabbage and Noodles with a black fork.

Step by Step Photos

Cajun Spices in a small bowl

First, make the Cajun seasoning mix. Combine 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp dried oregano, 1/2 tsp dried thyme, 1/4 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp onion powder, 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper, 1/4 tsp salt, and some freshly cracked black pepper. Set the spice mix aside. 

Browned Smoked Sausage slices in a large pot

Add 1 Tbsp cooking oil to a large pot and heat over medium. Slice 13 oz. smoked sausage, then add it to the pot. Stir and cook the sausage until it is well browned.

Shredded Cabbage

Begin heating a separate large pot of water for the noodles. Once the water is boiling, add 8 oz. wide egg noodles and continue to boil until tender. Drain the noodles in a colander. Also shred about 6 cups of cabbage (this was half of a 2.5 lb. head of cabbage). If you’re still building your knife skills or think you may need extra time for this step, you can do this before you begin the recipe instead of as your food cooks.

Cabbage Water and Spices in the pot with smoked sausage

Once the sausage is browned, add the shredded cabbage, 1/4 cup water, and the Cajun spice mix to the pot. Stir everything to combine, then place a lid on top.

Wilted cabbage and sausage in the pot.

Continue to cook the cabbage with the lid on, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage has wilted (about 5-7 minutes). 

Noodles and Butter added to the pot with wilted cabbage and sausage.

Add the cooked and drained noodles to the pot along with 2 Tbsp (or more) butter. Stir until everything is combined and coated in melted butter. #butterlove

Finished Cajun Cabbage and Noodles in the pot with green onions on top.

Finally, make sure to give everything a taste and add a little extra salt if needed. Sprinkle green onions over top and make sure to add a splash of hot sauce to each bowl before serving!

A hand lifting a forkful of Cajun Cabbage and Noodles from a large bowl.

Spicy!! 🙌

The post Cajun Cabbage and Noodles appeared first on Budget Bytes.

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