Hungarian Haluski (Cabbage and Noodles Recipe)
by Sommer Collier — last updated on Feb 10, 2025 
Hungarian Haluski (Cabbage and Noodles Recipe)- A traditional Polish and Hungarian dish made of sautéed Cabbage with Noodles with Bacon. Haluski (also called Kaposztas Kocka) is just the kind of comfort food I crave around the holidays.
Why We Love This Traditional Haluski Recipe
The holiday season is often a time we want to celebrate heritage and family traditions. This proves to be a little difficult for me, because I’m most certainly a mutt.
As far as I know, I’m a loose cocktail of Native American, English, French and who knows what else. So no distinct cultural traditions stand out.
Growing up in my house, we made up our own traditions around the holidays, instead of relying on those that came before us. I guess that is the American way…
However Lt. Dan has a strong Hungarian heritage, and I love to hear the stories his grandmother tells of their old country customs and special holiday dishes.
Being married to a Hungarian, I’ve casually adopted Hungarian as my cultural tie of choice, so many of the holiday dishes we make stem from Lt. Dan’s great-grandmother’s recipes.
What is Hungarian Haluski?
In years past we’ve made Hungarian Chicken Paprikas on Christmas Eve as our cozy meal to ring in the Christmas spirit.
Yet another Hungarian dish I’m very fond of, Haluski, is much simpler to make and oh so comforting. This traditional cabbage and noodle dish (also called Kaposztas Kocka) is so easy to prepare, takes no time at all, and requires just 5 ingredients… 6 if you want to garnish it.
With only egg noodles, cabbage, onions, garlic, and bacon you’ve got Haluski Cabbage and Noodles, a traditional Hungarian peasant dish, that is fit for a king.
It should be noted, although I think of this as a Hungarian recipe, because of who shared it with me, Cabbage and Noodles is a VERY popular dish in Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Ukraine, and most of Eastern Europe. The are many variations with various names as well.
Best Haluski Recipe
Haluski Cabbage and Noodles is a simple main dish you can serve on its own this holiday season, or as a hearty side dish to a meaty main course. This no-frills Haluski Cabbage and Noodles is richly bathed in bacon grease, so it is the perfect companion to a roasted bird, braised pork, or even a thick juicy steak.
Do you know who else is passionate about their heritage?
The DeLallo family of DeLallo Foods!
This holiday season, DeLallo encourages you to get into the #SpiritofNatale with cozy family dishes and memorable meals! (Natale means Christmas in Italian.)
What Ingredients You Will Need
This haluski and fried cabbage recipe takes just a few ingredients! Here’s what you’ll need:
- Thick Cut Bacon – chopped
- Sliced Green Cabbage – only need about half a cabbage
- Medium Onion – sliced
- Minced Garlic Cloves
- Package DeLallo Egg Noodles – I used Pappardelle
- Chopped Parsley for Garnish
How To Make Hungarian Haluski
Place a large pot of salted water over high heat and bring to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions.
Drain and set aside, reserving 1 cup of the pasta water for later use.
Meanwhile, cut the cabbage and onion into quarters. Sliced into strips. Remove the thickest white sections of the cabbage and keep the thinner white and green layers.
Place a large skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon and saute until crisp. Then add the cabbage and onions.
Saute for 5 minutes, then salt and pepper to taste. Toss in the garlic and saute for another 5 minutes.
Once the cabbage is tender, toss the pasta in the skillet. Stir to mix and add a little of the reserved pasta water to help blend the flavors.
Taste for salt and pepper, then garnish with fresh chopped parsley.
Serve warm.
Get The Full (Printable) Hungarian Haluski Cabbage and Noodles Recipe Below. Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is haluski?
Haluski is a Hungarian dish that is made of thick, dumpling like noodles made with fried cabbage for a hearty and comforting dish!
How Long Will Leftovers Last In The Fridge?
This cabbage mixture can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 3 to 5 days.
Can I Store Leftovers In The Freezer?
If you store it properly, you can freeze this recipe for 2 to 3 months. If possible, suction the air out of the container to prevent freezer burn inside the airtight container.
Can I Add Other Meats?
Of course, you can! Chicken, Kielbasa Sausage, Beef, or even meaty dumplings would all be great additions to this recipe.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by DeLallo Foods. All opinions are my own.
Looking for More Dinner Recipes? Be Sure to Also Try:
- Smoked Meatloaf
- Chicken Manchurian
- Apple Baked Stuffed Pork Chops
- Spinach Pie Recipe
- Nana’s Epic Chicken and Rice
- Crock Pot Pork Tenderloin with Apples and Onions
- Smoked Pork Loin (+ Tenderloin) Recipe
- Best Burnt Ends (Brisket) Recipe
Hungarian Haluski (Cabbage and Noodles Recipe)
Video
Ingredients
- 5 ounces thick cut bacon chopped
- 5 cups sliced green cabbage about half a cabbage
- 1 medium onion sliced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 8.8 ounces package DeLallo Egg Noodles I used Pappardelle
- Chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Place a large pot of salted water over high heat and bring to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside, reserving 1 cup of the pasta water for later use.
- Meanwhile, cut the cabbage and onion in quarters. Sliced into strips. Remove the thickest white sections of the cabbage and keep the thinner white and green layers. Place a large skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon and saute until crisp. Then add the cabbage and onions. Saute for 5 minutes, then salt and pepper to taste. Toss in the garlic and saute another 5 minutes.
- Once the cabbage is tender, toss the pasta in the skillet. Stir to mix and add a little of the reserved pasta water to help blend the flavors. Taste for salt and pepper, then garnish with fresh chopped parsley. Serve warm.
Notes
Nutrition
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by DeLallo Foods. All opinions are my own.
I’m half Hungarian, but wholly embarrassed to say I have never heard of this dish! Still, I’m not surprised to see it, since cabbage and pasta are the key ingredients in just about every Hungarian dish. Adding this to the dinner rotation for this week!
I am 100 per cent Hungarian and have never heard of this dish. Maybe a variation or maybe the same that just looked different. The name Haluski sounds Polish. Nevertheless it sounds good and will try it. I like cut up cabbage, onion, polish sausage and a little tomato juice or sauce.
Looks amazing!
Wow this dish looks like it’s brimming with delicious flavor :)
My dad always made a decadent ham for christmas time that is just irresistible, I can always smell it as I walk up the driveway!
Got to try this, sounds delicious
Rachel Ray’s Christmas Pasta. Also, peirogies
My favorite dish for the holidays is my mothers coleslaw have never had better and could never make to tqste the same
my grandma’s mashed potatoes…I don’t care what else is served as long as those are there
My mom’s chicken alfrado lasagna is a holiday staple.
Pasta is my go-to favorite for feeding my hungry husband & sons! I don’t think I’ve ever made the same pasta sauce twice, I’m always throwing in an extra chopped veggies that’ve been neglected in the refrigerator or the last bit of freshly grated parmesan or the last spoonful of sour cream or yogurt or even cream cheese.
Boy id love to win this one.
besides the candy/cookie baking fest, which is fun and involves the whole gang, I have for the past 5 years been getting a huge HoneyBaked Ham and then prepping a couple of salads to go with it… We eat as you like it for a couple of days after Christmas. It has been a nice immediate slow down after the madness….
I’d be thrilled. I’m not usually one to enter a giveaway (i never win), but this one’s too good to pass up! love the apron and can’t wait to include this recipe in an upcoming #monthofmeals!