If you’re looking for an easy, comforting, and budget-friendly dinner or side dish, this Slow Cooker Amish Cabbage and Noodles recipe is one you’ll want to keep handy. Tender green cabbage, buttery egg noodles, and simple seasonings come together in the slow cooker to create a cozy dish with plenty of homemade flavor.
This recipe uses just a few basic ingredients, making it perfect for busy weeknights, family dinners, potlucks, or whenever you’re craving old-fashioned comfort food.
The cabbage slowly cooks in butter until tender and flavorful, while wide egg noodles are added near the end so they stay soft without becoming overly mushy. The result is a rich, buttery cabbage and noodle dish that is simple, satisfying, and incredibly easy to prepare.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There are plenty of reasons to add this slow cooker cabbage recipe to your meal rotation:
- Easy preparation: Most of the work involves chopping the cabbage and adding the ingredients to the slow cooker.
- Simple ingredients: You only need a handful of inexpensive pantry and refrigerator staples.
- Comforting and flavorful: Butter, cabbage, and egg noodles create a wonderfully rich combination.
- Budget-friendly: Cabbage and noodles are affordable ingredients that can feed the whole family.
- Great side dish: Serve it alongside chicken, pork, sausage, ham, or beef.
- Perfect for busy days: Let the slow cooker do most of the work.
What Is Amish Cabbage and Noodles?
Amish-inspired cabbage and noodles is a simple comfort-food dish built around tender cabbage, noodles, butter, and seasoning. It reflects the kind of straightforward cooking that makes inexpensive ingredients taste delicious without requiring complicated techniques.
While recipes can vary from kitchen to kitchen, the combination of cabbage and egg noodles is especially satisfying because the tender vegetables and noodles absorb the buttery cooking liquid.
This slow cooker version makes the process even easier by allowing the cabbage to become tender before the noodles are added.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Green Cabbage
Use one medium head of green cabbage, approximately 2 to 2½ pounds. Remove the tough outer leaves and core before chopping.
Butter
Two sticks of unsalted butter give this dish its rich, buttery flavor. Cutting the butter into smaller pieces helps it melt more evenly over the cabbage.
Wide Egg Noodles
Wide egg noodles work particularly well because they are hearty enough to stand up to the cabbage and buttery sauce.
Kosher Salt
Salt brings out the natural flavor of the cabbage and balances the richness of the butter.
Hot Water or Chicken Broth
A small amount of hot water or low-sodium chicken broth helps create enough moisture for even cooking. Chicken broth can also add extra savory flavor.
Black Pepper
Freshly ground black pepper is optional, but it adds a delicious finishing touch.
How to Make Slow Cooker Amish Cabbage and Noodles
Step 1: Prepare the Cabbage
Remove any damaged or tough outer leaves from the cabbage. Cut the cabbage into quarters and remove the core.
Chop the cabbage into roughly 1- to 1½-inch pieces. Don’t worry about making every piece exactly the same size.
Step 2: Add the Cabbage to the Slow Cooker
Lightly grease a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker if desired.
Add the chopped cabbage to the bottom of the slow cooker. It may look like there is too much cabbage at first, but don’t worry. Cabbage shrinks considerably as it cooks.
Step 3: Season and Add the Butter
Sprinkle the kosher salt evenly over the cabbage.
Pour 1 to 1½ cups of hot water or low-sodium chicken broth around the edges of the slow cooker.
Cut the butter into smaller pieces and arrange them over the top of the cabbage.
Step 4: Cook the Cabbage
Cover the slow cooker and cook on HIGH for 2 to 2½ hours or LOW for about 4 hours.
The cabbage should become soft, tender, and coated in the melted butter and cooking juices.
If possible, stir the cabbage once or twice during cooking, quickly replacing the lid each time.
Step 5: Add the Egg Noodles
Once the cabbage is tender, give it a good stir so the butter and cooking liquid are evenly distributed.
Add the uncooked wide egg noodles directly to the slow cooker.
Gently stir or use tongs to work the noodles down into the cabbage and buttery liquid as much as possible.
If the noodles aren’t sufficiently moistened, add a little more hot water or broth, a few tablespoons at a time.
Be careful not to add too much liquid. You want the noodles to absorb the cooking liquid rather than create a watery dish.
Step 6: Cook the Noodles
Cover the slow cooker again and cook on HIGH for 25 to 40 minutes, stirring once or twice.
Cooking time can vary depending on your slow cooker and the thickness of the noodles, so check them toward the earlier end of the cooking time.
The noodles should be tender but not mushy.
Step 7: Season and Serve
Once the noodles are cooked, stir the cabbage and noodles thoroughly from the bottom of the slow cooker.
The finished dish should be creamy, glossy, and buttery, with most of the liquid absorbed.
Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and freshly ground black pepper if desired.
Serve immediately while hot.
Tips for Making the Best Cabbage and Noodles
Don’t worry about the amount of cabbage. A full slow cooker may look crowded initially, but cabbage releases moisture and shrinks significantly as it cooks.
Add the noodles at the end. Cooking the egg noodles for the entire slow-cooking time can make them overly soft. Adding them after the cabbage has become tender gives you a better texture.
Add liquid gradually. If the noodles need more moisture, add a few tablespoons at a time. Too much broth or water can make the finished dish soupy.
Use unsalted butter. This gives you better control over the final salt level.
Don’t overcook the noodles. Check them regularly during the final cooking stage because slow cookers can vary considerably in temperature.
Can I Use Chicken Broth Instead of Water?
Yes. Low-sodium chicken broth is an excellent option and adds additional savory flavor to the dish.
If you’re serving the recipe as a vegetarian side dish, use vegetable broth or water instead.
Can I Make This Recipe on the Stovetop?
Yes. Although the slow cooker makes this recipe convenient, cabbage and noodles can also be prepared on the stovetop.
Cook the cabbage with butter and a small amount of liquid in a large pot until tender. Then add the cooked egg noodles and toss everything together until well combined.
The slow cooker method is especially convenient when you want to prepare the cabbage ahead of time and let it cook while you’re working on the rest of the meal.
What to Serve With Cabbage and Noodles
This buttery cabbage and noodle recipe works beautifully as a side dish for many hearty meals.
Try serving it with:
- Smoked sausage or kielbasa
- Ham
- Pork chops
- Roast chicken
- Pot roast
- Meatloaf
- Baked chicken
- Roasted pork
- Grilled sausage
- Slow cooker beef
It can also be served as a simple meatless meal with a fresh green salad or crusty bread.
How to Store Leftovers
Allow leftovers to cool before transferring them to an airtight container.
Store them in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
When reheating, add a small splash of water or broth if the noodles seem dry. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop until warmed through.
Can You Freeze Cabbage and Noodles?
You can freeze the finished dish, although the texture of the egg noodles may change slightly after thawing and reheating.
For the best texture, freeze portions in airtight freezer-safe containers and thaw them overnight in the refrigerator.
Reheat gently and add a small amount of broth or water if necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of cabbage?
Green cabbage works best for this recipe, but you can experiment with other varieties. Keep in mind that cooking times and texture may vary.
Can I add meat?
Absolutely. Cooked smoked sausage, kielbasa, bacon, ham, or leftover roast pork can all be added for a heartier meal.
Why are my noodles too soft?
The noodles may have been cooked too long or there may have been too much liquid. Start checking them early during the 25–40 minute cooking period and avoid adding excess broth.
Why is my cabbage still firm?
Slow cookers vary in temperature. If the cabbage isn’t tender after the recommended time, continue cooking until it reaches your preferred texture.
Can I make this dish less buttery?
Yes. You can reduce the amount of butter if desired, although the butter is an important part of the flavor and texture of this recipe.
Final Thoughts
Slow Cooker Amish Cabbage and Noodles is proof that simple ingredients can make an incredibly satisfying meal. Tender cabbage, wide egg noodles, and plenty of buttery flavor come together in one comforting dish that’s easy enough for a weeknight but delicious enough to serve at a family gathering.
Whether you serve it alongside sausage, ham, pork, or chicken, this old-fashioned cabbage and noodle recipe is an inexpensive and comforting addition to the dinner table.
If you’re looking for an easy slow cooker recipe made with simple ingredients, this is definitely one to save and make again.