Flavored with fatty pork and Calabrian chilis, spicy ‘nduja sausage is the perfect addition to your next Italian feast.

‘Nduja Sausage Recipe: 7 Ways to Use ‘Nduja in Your Cooking

‘Nduja (pronounced en-doo-ya) is a spicy cured Italian sausage with a soft, spreadable, pâté-like texture. Hailing from Calabria in Southern Italy, home cooks traditionally make this bold red salami with pork fat (and various other [cuts of pork](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-guide-to-pork-4-primal-pork-cuts-and-how-to-cook-pork)), Calabrian chili peppers, salt, and spices. The traditional preparation method for the sausage involves mincing and seasoning the pork, stuffing it into a beef bung cap—made from the cow’s intestine—and curing it in a climate-controlled chamber.
‘Nduja has a spicy, savory, umami-rich flavor reminiscent of [chorizo](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-eat-and-cook-with-chorizo) or andouille sausage. [Pork shoulder](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/easy-slow-roasted-pork-shoulder-recipe-plus-pork-shoulder-vs-pork-butt) and back fat give the sausage its savory, meaty flavor. Calabrian chili makes it slightly spicy. However, the specific peppers, herbs, spices, and additional seasonings that home cooks choose to add to this meat product will also influence its flavor.
Here are some popular ways to use this spreadable pork sausage: 

1. __Add it to baked goods__: Stir crumbled pieces of ‘nduja into the batter of any savory baked goods—like biscuits, scones, muffins, and croissants—to add a rich, meaty flavor. 
2. __Add it to omelets and frittatas__: Dress up your omelet, frittata, or scrambled eggs with a spoonful of this spicy spreadable salami. 
3. __As a pizza topping__: Use ‘nduja as the base for a homemade pizza sauce, or sprinkle it over the top for a flavorful pie topping. Learn how to make [homemade pizza](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/sicilian-style-pizza-recipe). 
4. __As part of a charcuterie board__: ‘Nduja will be right at home on a board beside prosciutto, pepperoni, and soppressata on a salumi board. Learn how to craft a [charcuterie board](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/charcuterie-board-guide). 
5. __In soups and stews__: Infuse your soups and stews with deeply spiced, savory flavor by incorporating your homemade ‘nduja into the base.  
6. __Make ‘nduja pasta sauce__: Add ‘nduja to your favorite pasta dish or pasta sauce (from classic tomato sauce to creamy [alfredo](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-alfredo-sauce)) for a boost of savory flavor.
7. __Spread it onto sandwiches__: Coat a slice of sourdough bread with this spreadable sausage and top it with your favorite Italian cold cuts and cheeses for a complex and savory sandwich.
Store homemade ‘nduja in the refrigerator or at room temperature. Note that storing ‘nduja in the fridge will extend its shelf life up to a year, but the high-fat content makes the ingredient prone to absorbing other flavors. To prevent this, wrap the ‘nduja tightly in plastic wrap and store it in an airtight container in the fridge, away from any other aromatic ingredients. 

Alternatively, store your ‘nduja in an airtight container in a cool part of your pantry. This method maintains the sausage’s spreadable texture and prevents it from absorbing other flavors. However, your sausage will spoil faster at room temperature than in the refrigerator, and it will only keep for up to two weeks.
Flavored with fatty pork and Calabrian chilis, spicy ‘nduja sausage is the perfect addition to your next Italian feast.

‘Nduja (pronounced en-doo-ya) is a spicy cured Italian sausage with a soft, spreadable, pâté-like texture. Hailing from Calabria in Southern Italy, home cooks traditionally make this bold red salami with pork fat (and various other <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-guide-to-pork-4-primal-pork-cuts-and-how-to-cook-pork' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-guide-to-pork-4-primal-pork-cuts-and-how-to-cook-pork","linkCopy":"cuts of pork","category":null}'>cuts of pork</a>), Calabrian chili peppers, salt, and spices. The traditional preparation method for the sausage involves mincing and seasoning the pork, stuffing it into a beef bung cap—made from the cow’s intestine—and curing it in a climate-controlled chamber.

What Is ‘Nduja?

‘Nduja has a spicy, savory, umami-rich flavor reminiscent of <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-eat-and-cook-with-chorizo' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-eat-and-cook-with-chorizo","linkCopy":"chorizo","category":null}'>chorizo</a> or andouille sausage. <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/easy-slow-roasted-pork-shoulder-recipe-plus-pork-shoulder-vs-pork-butt' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/easy-slow-roasted-pork-shoulder-recipe-plus-pork-shoulder-vs-pork-butt","linkCopy":"Pork shoulder","category":null}'>Pork shoulder</a> and back fat give the sausage its savory, meaty flavor. Calabrian chili makes it slightly spicy. However, the specific peppers, herbs, spices, and additional seasonings that home cooks choose to add to this meat product will also influence its flavor.

What Does ‘Nduja Taste Like?

Here are some popular ways to use this spreadable pork sausage: <ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Add it to baked goods: Stir crumbled pieces of ‘nduja into the batter of any savory baked goods—like biscuits, scones, muffins, and croissants—to add a rich, meaty flavor. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Add it to omelets and frittatas: Dress up your omelet, frittata, or scrambled eggs with a spoonful of this spicy spreadable salami. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. As a pizza topping: Use ‘nduja as the base for a homemade pizza sauce, or sprinkle it over the top for a flavorful pie topping. Learn how to make <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/sicilian-style-pizza-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/sicilian-style-pizza-recipe","linkCopy":"homemade pizza","category":null}'>homemade pizza</a>. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. As part of a charcuterie board: ‘Nduja will be right at home on a board beside prosciutto, pepperoni, and soppressata on a salumi board. Learn how to craft a <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/charcuterie-board-guide' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/charcuterie-board-guide","linkCopy":"charcuterie board","category":null}'>charcuterie board</a>. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 5. In soups and stews: Infuse your soups and stews with deeply spiced, savory flavor by incorporating your homemade ‘nduja into the base. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 6. Make ‘nduja pasta sauce: Add ‘nduja to your favorite pasta dish or pasta sauce (from classic tomato sauce to creamy <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-alfredo-sauce' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-alfredo-sauce","linkCopy":"alfredo","category":null}'>alfredo</a>) for a boost of savory flavor. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 7. Spread it onto sandwiches: Coat a slice of sourdough bread with this spreadable sausage and top it with your favorite Italian cold cuts and cheeses for a complex and savory sandwich. </li></ol>

7 Ways to Use ‘Nduja

Store homemade ‘nduja in the refrigerator or at room temperature. Note that storing ‘nduja in the fridge will extend its shelf life up to a year, but the high-fat content makes the ingredient prone to absorbing other flavors. To prevent this, wrap the ‘nduja tightly in plastic wrap and store it in an airtight container in the fridge, away from any other aromatic ingredients. Alternatively, store your ‘nduja in an airtight container in a cool part of your pantry. This method maintains the sausage’s spreadable texture and prevents it from absorbing other flavors. However, your sausage will spoil faster at room temperature than in the refrigerator, and it will only keep for up to two weeks.

How to Store ‘Nduja

Homemade ‘Nduja Recipe

Flavored with fatty pork and Calabrian chilis, spicy ‘nduja sausage is the perfect addition to your next Italian feast.

Flavored with fatty pork and Calabrian chilis, spicy ‘nduja sausage is the perfect addition to your next Italian feast.
