Nduja Pasta is a quick and easy pasta dish that's full of flavor. Made with nduja, a spicy spreadable salami from Calabria Italy, this is one dish that will satisfy your cravings for something bold and flavorful!
This recipe for 'Nduja Pasta is so simple to make and only requires a few ingredients. Spicy and bursting with umami, this is going to be your new favorite way to make weeknight pasta.
If you love easy pasta dishes, be sure to try my Sausage Kale Pasta, Baked Feta Pasta with Shrimp, Pasta alla Norma, or this simple Lemon Ricotta Pasta!
Why You'll Love 'Nduja Pasta!
Nduja Pasta is a recipe you'll make once and crave again and again. It comes together quick and packs a lot of flavor without a lot of work.
Nduja, pronounced "en-DOO-ya", is a spicy, spreadable Italian salami made with pork, red peppers, and a variety of spices. When combined with pasta, it creates a dish that is spicy and has a depth of flavor that's hard to resist.
If you love spicy food, then this recipe is for you. Nduja is made with spicy red peppers, which give the dish a spicy kick. Plus, the pork adds a delicious umami flavor that just can't be beat.
This recipe is also super easy to make and comes together in the time it takes to cook the pasta. It's perfect for a weeknight dinner or entertaining.
You can also customize this dish to your liking. Feel free to add in additional veggies or meats, such as cooked sausage or pork chunks. You could even finish the dish with dash of cream to add another layer or flavor and texture.
'Nduja pasta is a dish that is delicious and easy to make. If you haven't tried it yet, you are missing out on a tasty and satisfying meal that is sure to become a new favorite.
Ingredients
- 'Nduja: nduja is a spreadable paste made with pork, red peppers and other flavors. You can find it online and at many speciality grocery stores. For possible substitutions for nduja, see below.
- Tomatoes: canned whole San Marzano tomatoes are the best addition to this simple sauce. They are sweet and flavorful. I like to crush them in a bowl by hand before adding to the sauce. You can substitute with your favorite canned tomatoes.
- Olive Oil: you'll need a little bit of olive oil for cooking the onions and garlic.
- Onion: use about half of a yellow onion here, about a cup total.
- Garlic: I like to add garlic whenever I make a sauce. You'll need about two large cloves, but feel free to add as much as you'd like.
- Basil: fresh basil is a great way to finish off this simple sauce with a pop of fresh color and flavor.
- Rigatoni: rigatoni is my favorite tube-shaped pasta whenever I'm making a hearty and flavorful sauce. You can use whatever tube-shaped pasta you'd like here.
- Parmesan: finish off the Nduja Pasta with a sprinkle of salty parmesan to add flavor and texture.
Nduja Substitutions
Nduja is a unique ingredient that can be difficult to substitute for. However, if you're unable to find nduja or prefer a milder flavor, there are a few alternatives you can use:
- Chorizo: Chorizo is a Spanish sausage that is similar in texture and spiciness to nduja. While it doesn't have the same depth of flavor, it can be a good substitute in Nduja pasta.
- Calabrese salami: Calabrese salami is a spicy Italian salami that is similar in texture and flavor to nduja. While it doesn't have the same spreadable consistency, it can be chopped or sliced here.
Keep in mind that each of these substitutes will give you a slightly different flavor to your dish, so it's important to taste as you go and adjust seasonings as needed.
How to Make 'Nduja Pasta
You'll be amazed how quickly this recipe for Nduja Pasta comes together. Start by boiling a large pot of salted water for the pasta and let it cook while you make the sauce.
Step 1: crush the tomatoes
This recipe calls for whole San Marzano tomatoes. Pour the can of tomatoes in a bowl and use your hand to crush them, being careful not to splatter the juice on yourself; set aside.
Step 2: cook the onions
In a large skillet, add the olive oil and onions and cook over medium heat until the onions start to soften. This should take about 3 minutes.
Step 3: add in the Nduja
Next, add in the 'nduja to the hot skillet and break it up using a spoon. You just want to melt the 'nduja slightly so it mixes well in the sauce; about a minute.
Step 4: add in the tomatoes
Lastly, add in the crushed San Marzano tomatoes. Stir together sauce and let simmer for about 10 minutes until it thickens slightly. Toss in some torn fresh basil when done cooking.
Once the sauce is done, add in the cooked rigatoni. Add in up to a half a cup of pasta water to thin the sauce if needed.
Top with more fresh basil and parmesan cheese before serving. Plate and serve immediately.
Recipe Tips
- Pasta: short tube-shaped pasta like rigatoni or penne work best with Nduja sauce because they help to catch the spicy, oily sauce.
- Nduja: since nduja is the star of this dish, it's important to use a high quality brand, preferably imported from Italy for the best flavor.
- Tomatoes: because there are just a few ingredients in this dish, use a good quality canned tomato like San Marzano. Just crush them in a bowl, using your hands, before adding them to your sauce. Be careful not to splatter the juice of the tomatoes while doing this.
- Pasta Water: save about half a cup of pasta water before draining the pasta. Add it to the dish if you need to thin out the sauce if needed.
- Serving: Nduja Pasta is best served hot with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese. Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Nduja is a spicy, spreadable pork sausage that originated in Calabria, Italy. It is made from a mixture of ground pork, spicy red chili peppers, and seasonings, which are then stuffed into a natural casing and aged for several months. You can find it either jarred or in the sausage form.
There really is no substitute for the flavors of nduja, however, in a pinch you can use chorizo or Calabrese sausage.
Nduja is a soft, spreadable sauce with a fiery kick that can be used in a variety of dishes including pasta sauces, pizzas, sandwiches, crostini, stuffed peppers, or add a bit to your favorite meatballs to spice them up.
While best eaten fresh, leftover Nduja Pasta can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat in the microwave, stir well, and top with more parmesan cheese.
More Italian Food Favorites!
Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star rating in the recipe card below and/or review in the comments section further down the page.
'Nduja Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 pound rigatoni pasta (or other similar shaped pasta)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ medium onion, diced (about a cup)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup 'nduja (casing removed)
- 28 ounce can San Marzano tomatoes (crushed)
- ¼ cup chopped fresh basil
- parmesan for serving
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until just al dente. Save a cup of pasta water, drain pasta, and set aside.
- In a large saucepan or skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add in the onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add in the garlic and 'nduja and break up 'nduja using a spoon. Add in the crushed tomatoes and bring to a simmer. Cook, uncovered for 10-12 minutes until sauce has thickened slightly.
- Pour pasta into sauce and add in pasta water if needed to loosen up the sauce. Toss altogether. Serve immediately with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese on top.
Notes
- Pasta: short tube-shaped pasta like rigatoni or penne work best with Nduja sauce because they help to catch the spicy, oily sauce.
- Nduja: since nduja is the star of this dish, it's important to use a high quality brand, preferably Nduja imported from Italy for the best flavor.
- Tomatoes: because there are just a few ingredients in this dish, use a good quality canned tomato like San Marzano. Just crush them in a bowl, using your hands, before adding them to your sauce. Be careful not to splatter the juice of the tomatoes while doing this.
- Pasta Water: save about a cup of pasta water before draining the pasta. Add it to the dish if you need to thin out the sauce.
- Serving: Nduja Pasta is best served hot with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese. Enjoy!
Dana
This is so so flavorful! The whole family loved it. Thanks for the lovely recipe, was my first time using Nduja!
Shadi Hasanzadenemati
It looks so delicious and easy!This is such an easy and delicious recipe, I cannot wait to make it again!
Gina Abernathy
Delicious, easy and so full of flavor. Everyone loved this dish.
Tara
Oh yum! I love nduja! It looks so good with this pasta. Definitely the perfect weeknight meal.
Suja md
Delicious yet simple recipe that the whole family loved. Can’t wait to make it again!