What Can I Do With 'Nduja?! 5 Fiery & Flavourful Meal Ideas

Use Nduja to bring fire and flavour to your Italian home cooking

You've seen it on our shelves: a vibrant, reddish-orange spread with an irresistible scent. If you haven't yet welcomed 'Nduja – Spicy Salami Spread into your kitchen, you're missing out on one of Italy's most thrilling culinary secrets!

Hailing from the sun-drenched region of Calabria, 'Nduja (pronounced en-doo-ya) is a soft, spreadable, spicy salami known for its intense flavour and heat. Unlike typical cured meats, its unique, paste-like texture means it melts beautifully, infusing its smoky, porky, spicy goodness into anything it touches.

Here are five simple, delicious, and utterly addictive ways to use that beautiful jar of Carluccio's 'Nduja.

1. The Ultimate 15-Minute Pasta Sauce

This is perhaps the most classic and satisfying use of 'Nduja. It transforms a simple weeknight pasta into a rich, complex Calabrían feast.

• How to: Start by gently warming a teaspoon of Extra Virgin Olive Oil and two generous spoonfuls of 'Nduja – Spicy Salami Spread in a pan. Stir and let it completely dissolve into the oil—it will release a gorgeous red colour. Pour in a tin of Tomatoes and let it simmer for 10 minutes. Toss with your favourite pasta (we love Orecchiette or Trottole) and a splash of reserved pasta water.

• Why it works: The 'Nduja melts away, infusing the tomato base with deep umami flavour and a perfect level of heat, requiring almost no other seasoning.

2. Spicy Bruschetta with Creamy Ricotta

This makes for a stunning, quick antipasto (starter) that balances the heat of the 'Nduja with creamy, cool cheese.

• How to: Lightly toast slices of crusty bread (like ciabatta or sourdough). While warm, spread a thin layer of fresh ricotta cheese across the bread. On top of the ricotta, add small dots of 'Nduja.

• Why it works: The creaminess of the ricotta tames the heat of the 'Nduja, making a delightful contrast of textures and temperatures—a quick, sophisticated snack.

3. The Fiery Pizza Topping

Forget boring pepperoni. 'Nduja is the perfect way to give your homemade pizza a serious kick.

• How to: Prepare your pizza base with a simple layer of tomato sauce and mozzarella. Before baking, dollop small spoonfuls of 'Nduja across the top.

• Why it works: As the pizza bakes, the 'Nduja melts into little pools of rich, spicy oil, crisping the edges of the dots and infusing the cheese and sauce with flavour.

4.  Eggs with a Kick: Nduja Scramble

Need to upgrade your weekend brunch? A spoonful of 'Nduja takes simple scrambled eggs or an omelette to an unforgettable level.

• How to: Heat a frying pan and add a tiny spoonful of 'Nduja. As it melts, add your eggs and scramble as usual.

• Why it works: The 'Nduja acts as both the cooking fat and the seasoning, adding a smoky, savoury, and spicy profile that pairs brilliantly with the richness of the egg. Serve on toast.

5. Seafood Sauté with Nduja

Surprisingly, 'Nduja is a brilliant partner for seafood, particularly prawns and mussels. The pork fat and spice cut through the sweetness of the seafood beautifully.

• How to: Sauté a clove of garlic in Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Add your prawns or mussels to the pan. When the seafood is nearly cooked, stir in a spoonful of 'Nduja along with a splash of white wine or lemon juice.

• Why it works: The 'Nduja melts to create a luscious, spicy, and fragrant sauce that clings to the seafood, providing a complex depth that is completely unexpected and delicious.

Ready to ignite your cooking? 'Nduja – Spicy Salami Spread is the versatile secret weapon your larder needs.

Shop the 'Nduja and other authentic Italian ingredients now!