🥓 Cured meats · Cured meat

Nduja

Calabrian spreadable sausage, very pungent and fatty, melt-in-your-mouth and smoky.

'Nduja is a very rich, creamy, and spicy Calabrian cured sausage spread, made from pork and red chilies. Its soft, creamy texture and intense taste with a spicy kick make it a key element of Southern Italian Mediterranean cuisine, particularly in Calabria.

Best pairings

Classic · the proven matchAroma bridge · a shared aroma links themContrast · opposites balance out

Burrata Classic
Dairy-spicy contrast: the sweet creaminess of burrata tempers the salty piquancy.
86%
Olive oil Classic
Natural emulsion: olive oil extends the fatty texture and mellows the pungency.
84%
Bread Classic
'Nduja spread on toast, melting and spicy.
82%
Pasta Classic
'Nduja on pasta, a spicy Calabrian sauce.
82%
Red bell pepper Classic
Spicy harmony: two heats that respond to each other, amplified together.
82%
Garlic Classic
Sustained flavors: garlic enhances spicy notes and aromatic power.
81%
Tomato Classic
'Nduja and tomato on pizza and pasta.
80%
Onion Classic
Natural sugar: caramelized onion balances pungent and salty heat.
79%
Tomato paste Classic
Tomato concentration: the paste strengthens umami and balances spiciness.
79%
Honey Contrast
'Nduja and honey on pizza, spicy and sweet.
78%

🔒 + 17 more pairings in the app
Plate builder, pantry, dishes: it's all in the app.

In the kitchen

Spread on toast or pitaSpread into hot pasta to create a sauceGarnish for eggs (fried or scrambled)Added to stuffings or pie crustsCheese and charcuterie platter accompaniment

Signature dishes

Pasta with 'NdujaPolenta with 'NdujaCalabrian-style EggsCalabrian Crostini

Substitutes

Chorizo Merguez Dry sausage

FAQ

What goes with nduja?

Nduja pairs especially well with burrata, olive oil, bread, pasta and red bell pepper. Dairy-spicy contrast: the sweet creaminess of burrata tempers the salty piquancy.

What can I substitute for nduja?

If you don't have it, try: chorizo, merguez, dry sausage.