Krautfleckerl (Viennese Cabbage and Pasta Squares)
In short: Sweetly caramelized white cabbage tossed with pasta squares, caraway and black pepper. A cheap and filling Viennese classic. It takes about 1 h 10 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 50 min
- Total
- 1 h 10 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 420 kcal
Krautfleckerl is the Viennese cabbage and pasta dish, a favorite meatless meal and a classic side for pork. Shredded white cabbage is cooked slowly in a little fat with a spoonful of sugar until deeply golden and sweet, then mixed with fleckerl, small square pasta flakes, and seasoned with caraway, salt and plenty of black pepper. It is a cheap, filling dish that tastes much richer than its ingredients suggest. Do not rush the caramelizing, because it is the whole flavor.
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large wide pot over medium heat. Add the sugar and cook for 1 to 2 minutes without stirring, until it melts and turns golden brown.
- Add the onion and cook for 3 minutes, then add the cabbage in handfuls, stirring to coat it in the caramel. Season with the caraway, salt and pepper.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring every 3 to 4 minutes, for 30 to 35 minutes, until the cabbage is soft, deeply golden brown and sweet. Do not cover the pot, and lower the heat if it starts to burn.
- Meanwhile, cook the fleckerl in plenty of salted boiling water until al dente, usually 6 to 8 minutes. Drain well.
- Stir the vinegar into the cabbage, then fold in the pasta and cook together for 2 to 3 minutes over medium heat, until the pasta takes on a little color.
- Taste for salt, vinegar and pepper. Serve hot with a green salad, or as a side to roast pork.
Tips
- If you cannot find fleckerl, break lasagne sheets into 2.5 cm (1 inch) squares and cook them the same way, or use small bow-tie pasta.
- Use a wide pot so the cabbage browns instead of steaming. If your pot is small, brown the cabbage in two batches and combine them before adding the pasta.
Questions and answers
What does Krautfleckerl taste like?
Sweet, savory and slightly peppery. The cabbage turns almost jammy when caramelized, the caraway adds an earthy note and the pasta makes it filling.
Can I make Krautfleckerl ahead?
Yes. It reheats well in a pan with a splash of water, and many people think it tastes better the next day. Keep it refrigerated for up to 4 days.
Can I use red cabbage for Krautfleckerl?
Red cabbage works but changes the look and taste. It stays purple with a splash of vinegar and needs a little more sugar. White cabbage is the traditional choice.
How long does it take to make Krautfleckerl (Viennese Cabbage and Pasta Squares)?
About 1 h 10 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 50 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Krautfleckerl (Viennese Cabbage and Pasta Squares)?
About 420 kcal per serving, with 11 g of protein, 67 g of carbohydrates and 12 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 420 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 11 g |
| Carbohydrates | 67 g |
| Fat | 12 g |
| Fiber | 8 g |
| Sugar | 14 g |
| Sodium | 900 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
