Creamy Nduja Pasta Sauce

5 from 42 votes

This creamy nduja pasta sauce is quick to make but full of flavor. Nduja, a spreadable spicy sausage from Italy, melts into a rich base with cream, parmesan, and a squeeze of lemon for balance. It creates a silky, glossy sauce that’s perfect for an easy but impressive dinner.

White plate with cooked rigatoni pasta in a creamy nduja pasta sauce. Fork is resting to the right.

Hi! This has quietly become a bit of a cult favorite on my blog, and it’s one I find myself making on repeat. It’s the kind of recipe I turn to when I want something really satisfying but don’t have the time or energy for anything complicated.

Nduja can be found at specialty grocery stores and it's really well worth hunting out. Once you have a jar then you can also check out my Tomato and Nduja Pasta or my Nduja Mac and Cheese is a personal favorite.

What is nduja?

Nduja is a spreadable pork sausage from the southern Italian region of Calabria. It has a deep red color and is usually sold in jars or vacuum packed. The flavor is rich and savory with a gentle chili heat, especially when used in small amounts.

I love using it in pasta sauces as it melts into the base and adds an incredible depth of flavor. It’s a great ingredient to keep in your fridge, just a spoonful can transform a tomato sauce or add richness to roasted or sautéed vegetables.

You can usually find nduja at specialty grocery stores or Italian delis. If you can’t find it, blending a soft chorizo can work as a substitute.

Main Ingredients

Nduja - The one I use is by Callipo and it’s excellent. Look for an Italian nduja in a jar if you can.

Cream - I use heavy cream for the best flavor and stability. It creates a rich sauce but is balanced out with pasta water and lemon so it doesn’t feel too heavy.

Fresh lemon Juice - A squeeze of lemon is key for balance. It won’t curdle the sauce as long as the heat is low and you mix it in quickly. A flat whisk works really well for this.

Parmesan cheese - Finely grate it yourself using a microplane or the star side of a box grater. Pre-grated cheese contains additives that stop it melting smoothly.

Flat leaf parsley - Optional, but it adds a fresh finish and lifts the richness of the sauce.

How to make creamy nduja pasta

The full method and a short tutorial video is in the recipe card below.

Butter sizzling in a stainless steel fry pan. A blob of nduja paste sitting in it.

1. Get your pasta cooking in a pot of well salted water. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. When bubbling, add the nduja and whisk until fully incorporated.

Orange buttery sauce bubbling with a cup of cream being poured in.

TWO: Add the cream and whisk again. It may look slightly split at first but will come together. Lower the heat to medium-low so it stays at a gentle simmer.

Hand squeezing some lemon juice directly into the sauce.

THREE: Add the lemon juice (and sugar if using) and whisk quickly to combine.

Orange coloured sauce bubbling in the fry pan.

FOUR: The sauce should now look smooth and emulsified. Keep the heat low.

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Finely grated parmesan melting into the sauce.

FIVE: Add the finely grated parmesan in 2-3 separate batches, letting it melt into the sauce between each addition.

The thickened sauce bubbling gently in a fry pan.

SIX: Add a splash of pasta water to loosen the sauce as needed, anywhere from a few tablespoons to ¼ cup. Whisk to combine.

Cooked pappardelle noodles added into the sauce.

SEVEN: Add the cooked pasta straight into the sauce and toss well. Taste and adjust seasoning. Finish with freshly cracked black pepper.

Chopped flat leaf parsley scattered on top of the pasta.

EIGHT: Add the parsley and mix through. Serve immediately.

Expert tips

Start with less nduja - If you’re unsure about the spice level, add half first and adjust at the end.
Undercook your pasta - Cook it a minute shy of al dente so it can finish in the sauce. This helps it absorb flavor and thickens the sauce. Check out my pasta cooking guide for more tips.
Keep the heat low - The sauce should only ever be at a gentle simmer. Too much heat can cause the cream to split.
Always reserve some pasta water before draining - When mixed into the creamy sauce it helps it cling to the pasta. It's also handy to loosen if the sauce gets too thick.

Common questions

What type of cream is best for pasta sauces?

Heavy or whipping cream works best as it creates a smooth, stable sauce. You can loosen it with a splash of pasta water if needed.

Why has my sauce split?

This usually happens when the heat is too high or the lemon juice isn’t mixed in quickly enough. Keep the sauce at a gentle simmer and whisk the lemon in quickly to emulsify. If you’re unsure, you can add the lemon right at the end with the pasta to avoid any risk of splitting.

Why is there sugar in the sauce and can I leave out?

The sugar is optional but helps balance the richness and acidity. You can leave it out if you prefer.

What pasta shape is best?

This sauce works with most shapes. Short pasta like rigatoni holds the sauce well, while pappardelle is great if you’re making fresh pasta. Use whatever you have in the cupboard though.

Want some other pasta sauces to try?

If you loved this creamy nduja pasta, check out my Creamy Pasta Roundup for more inspiration. Here are a few other delicious ways to use up your nduja.

Did you make this recipe?

I would LOVE it if you could leave a review and star rating down below. Also please tag me on Instagram if you share a photo of the dish!

Recipe

Creamy Nduja Pasta Sauce

5 from 42 votes

Author: Emilie Pullar

Prep time:5

Cook Time:10

Servings: 2 people

Print Recipe Pin Rate

A quick and creamy nduja pasta sauce made with spicy sausage paste, cream, parmesan, and lemon. It comes together in minutes and creates a silky, glossy sauce perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.

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Ingredients

200 grams dried pasta (or 300 grams fresh)
70 grams butter
2 tablespoons nduja paste (start with 1 tbsp if unsure)
¾ cup cream
60 grams parmesan finely grated
1 - 1.5 tbsp lemon juice
1.5 tsp sugar
1 cup flat leaf parsley finely chopped
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Cook your pasta in a pot of well salted water. This sauce comes together quickly, so time your pasta accordingly depending on whether you are using fresh or dried.
Melt the butter in a large pan over medium heat.
When it starts to sizzle, add the nduja and whisk into the butter until combined. Lower the heat if it’s spluttering too much.
Add the cream and whisk to combine. Keep the heat at a very gentle simmer, it should never be boiling.
Add the lemon juice and sugar (if using) and mix quickly to combine.
Add the parmesan in 2-3 separate lots, whisking between each addition until melted and smooth.
Taste for seasoning. It may not need salt, but add black pepper to taste.
Add ¼ cup of pasta water, mix well and let it thicken for 1-2 minutes.
Add the cooked pasta straight into the sauce and toss well to coat, let it gently bubble away for 1-2 minutes to thicken and coat the pasta.
Stir through the parsley and serve immediately.
The pasta should look nice and saucy in the pan, it will thicken and dry up quickly once off the heat.
Serve with extra parmesan and a good crack of black pepper.

Video

Notes

Timing - This sauce comes together quickly, so it’s all about timing. Have your pasta water boiling and add the pasta when you add the cream. If the sauce is ready first, keep it on very low heat. If it thickens too much, loosen with a splash of pasta water.

Finish in the sauce - Let the pasta bubble in the sauce for a minute or two to thicken and coat. If using dried pasta, undercook it slightly so it finishes perfectly in the sauce.

Nduja - If you’re unsure about the spice level, start with 1 tablespoon and add more at the end to taste.

Lemon juice - Add over low heat and mix quickly. If you’re unsure, stir it through at the end with the pasta.

Parmesan - Finely grate your own for the smoothest sauce.

Consistency - Keep the sauce slightly looser than you think in the pan, it will thicken quickly once off the heat.

Author: Emilie Pullar

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 10

Course: Meat Sauces

Cuisine: Italian Inspired

Keyword: creamy nduja pasta, nduja pasta

Did you make this recipe?Tag @burntbuttertable on Instagram so we can see! Also please leave a review down below, it means the world!

Hi, I'm Emilie

I've spent years testing pasta doughs, sauces, and weeknight favorites so you don't have to. Everything on The Burnt Butter Table is designed to be simple, comforting, and unbelievably delicious.