Cabbage Is 10x More Flavorful When You Combine It With These 2 Italian Staples

On its own, cabbage can be bland and unexciting. But the good news is that you only need two ingredients to make it more flavorful: ricotta and pesto. Considered common ingredients in Italian cuisine, their pairing has been tried and tested in countless recipes — so why not in a cabbage dish, too? Together, the cheese mellows down the pesto and adds richness with its satisfying creamy texture, all without losing the pesto's flavorful depth. You might get a hint of ricotta's mild tang along the way, while pesto's herby and garlicky character remains apparent — but smoother. Together they can give cabbage a creamy, tangy, herbaceous punch.

There are different ways you can cook cabbage to yield a flavorful bite that blends with ricotta and pesto. But for something more obvious, you want it to act like a pasta substitute. Slice cabbage into thin, long strips and stir-fry over high heat. The strands should be soft but not soggy, and should develop a beautiful caramelization that boosts the vegetable's flavor even more. And then pour the pesto and mix it together until it has fully coated the vegetable. As the final touch, add spoonfuls of ricotta to crown the cabbage pesto with its creaminess. That said, this is just one way of enjoying the combination.

Another way to enjoy this vegetable with ricotta and pesto is by turning cabbage into dumpling wrappers, filling them with the two Italian ingredients, and then pan frying. This will give cabbage a nice crispiness that pairs well with the soft ricotta and pesto. You can also enjoy the ricotta and pesto combination as a dip. Make cabbage extra crispy with some cornstarch, roast it, and dunk it in a pesto-ricotta dip for a tasty snack. The charred exterior of the vegetable will leave behind a caramelized taste with a slightly sweet finish. It's also an option to enjoy the cabbage raw along with the dip, especially if you like the vegetable's natural texture.

For something easier, you can always go for store-bought pesto, but some folks might find it salty, which can throw off the balance of your dish. So, if you prefer, making pesto from scratch is always a good idea. Meanwhile, you have the option to whip your ricotta, especially if you want a lighter, airier touch, which works best if you're making a salad or pasta. If you're looking for a versatile spin that can add a flavor-boosting touch no matter what you do with the trio, pair them with ingredients like garlic for a complementary taste, lemon for a bright finish, or pine nuts for an added textural appeal. There are so many things you can do with the combination to make cabbage more flavorful, so say goodbye to the days when you settled for bland cabbage once and for all.