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Haluski and Kielbasa, cabbage and noodles, is a super easy dinner made with buttery egg noodles, fried cabbage and smoked sausage. Pittsburgh comfort food!
This easy recipe for fried cabbage and noodles is comfort food, plain and simple! If you’re from Pittsburgh or related to someone from the ‘Burgh or you’ve ever been to the ‘Burgh, chances are good that you’ve had haluski!
I originally published this recipe way back in 2013 and again in 2015. I’ve updated it for new pictures and instructions as of February 2020.
What is Haluski
Haluski is basically just chopped cabbage or strips of cabbage pan fried with onions and egg noodles in butter. Lots of butter!
Some people start out with bacon and use the grease instead of butter. Sometimes, I’ll use olive oil, but I never leave out the butter!
My family is from Pittsburgh, and I grew up eating haluski. Since adding meat is optional, we usually saved it as a meatless meal for Holy Supper at Christmas Eve or during Lent. Next to homemade pierogi, this is hands-down my favorite family recipe!
Traditional Slovak, Polish, Ukrainian Recipe
Like so many ethnic recipes, the origin of haluski is debatable. Some say it’s Slovak, some say Polish, Ukrainian, Russian or Rusyn.
Traditional Slovak haluski or halusky is made with homemade noodles or dumplings. My grandma and mom usually used egg noodles, and that’s what I use today.
I guess you can call this traditional Pittsburgh version. But, you definitely do not have to be from Pittsburgh or Eastern Europe to enjoy fried cabbage and noodles!
How to Make Haluski with Kielbasa
Fried noodles and cabbage is super easy to prepare. Just fry up some onions in lots of butter, or olive oil.
Then, add your sliced kielbasa. Cook until it’s just starting to brown, then remove and set aside.
Add your cut cabbage, and cook until it starts to get soft. You’ll be surprised how fast cabbage cooks down, so don’t worry if it seems like there’s too much!
I like to leave the cabbage on the crunchy side. But, you can cook it longer if you want it softer.
Now, it’s time for the egg noodles. You can cook them ahead of time and use the same large pot to fry the noodles and cabbage. Sometimes, I use my Instant Pot to cook the noodles — whatever works!
Add butter as you cook the noodles, then add the kielbasa back in. I have to confess that I use a LOT of butter when I make haluski — like a whole stick.
Sometimes, I’ll mix in some olive oil if I need more, and this just keeps the noodles from getting dry and makes a nice sauce, along with the onion.
What to Serve with Haluski
Traditionally, it’s a meatless meal, although my grandma and mom always served fish or fish sticks on the side. Kielbasa, of course, goes very well with noodles and cabbage.
We also add sour cream or cottage cheese. Don’t knock it — this is actually a very tasty combo! You can also add some peas and serve Polish or Russian rye bread on the side.
Haluski and Kielbasa (Cabbage and Noodles) Recipe
Haluski and Kielbasa (Cabbage and Noodles)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 12 ounces egg noodles
- ½ cup Butter for frying 1 stick
- 1 yellow or white onion chopped
- 1 pound kielbasa cut into thin slices
- 1 Head of cabbage washed and roughly chopped
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Boil the egg noodles in salted water until just al dente, drain, rinse and set aside.
- In a large frying pan or Dutch oven, melt 1 to 2 tablespoons butter or oil, and cook onions until soft.
- Add the kielbasa, and cook until just browned. Remove to a plate, cover, and set aside
- Add the cabbage, and cook until slightly soft.
- Mix in the egg noodles, adding butter as you go, and cook until warm and heated through. Stir in cooked kielbasa, and add more butter, if needed
- Season with salt and pepper, to taste
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Variations on Cabbage and Noodles
If you have an Instant Pot, try making Instant Pot Cabbage and Noodles. Cutting out carbs? Try Fried Kielbasa and Cabbage without the noodles!
Great recipe. We’ve always liked this but never made it before. Doubled it, added sausage.
Thanks, Josh. So glad you enjoyed the haluski!
You have to try this with some fire roasted tomatoes! My Moms side is directly from Poland. It was just a staple they would use.
That’s very interesting — thanks for sharing. My family loves tomatoes, to I will have to try haluski with tomatoes next time.
I am also from Pittsburgh and grew up on halusky. We l9ve it. I make mine with bacon and serve sour cream on the side. Very delicious. I lived in Mississippi for a awhile and made halusky and perogies for some friends and they just loved it. They couldn’t get enough of it. I’m making it on Sunday for dinner for my husband and myself.
I love the idea of adding bacon!
This was so easy, simple and delicious and we loved it! I was worried it would be too simple, but it was perfect and a hit. Thanks for the great recipe!
Thank you so much, Eileen. I’m glad you liked the haluski!
I made the haluski and kielbasa for supper tonight. Absolutely delicious! Recipe was easy to follow. I will definitely make again. 😋
So glad you liked it, Sue. Thank you!
Made this for a quick dinner tonight. Yummy and the kids loved it too!
Delicious! Reminds me of what my grandmother made growing up!