Recipes › Sandwich › Nduja And Stracciatella Sandwich Recipe

Nduja And Stracciatella Sandwich Recipe

Recipe by Pedro M. A. Neves

This bold Calabrian sandwich combines spicy, spreadable nduja with creamy stracciatella cheese between crusty bread, creating a perfect balance of heat and richness. The soft, warm cheese melts into the peppery nduja, while toasted bread provides essential texture and structure. A simple yet satisfying Italian street food that delivers maximum flavor in every bite.

Ingredients

• 200g nduja (spicy Calabrian pork spread)
• 150g stracciatella cheese (or fresh burrata)
• 2 crusty Italian rolls or ciabatta rolls (about 150g each)
• 15ml extra virgin olive oil
• 5g fresh basil leaves
• 2g sea salt
• 1g black pepper
• 5ml balsamic vinegar (optional)

Instructions

1. Slice the Italian rolls horizontally, creating top and bottom halves. Leave the rolls intact but open them like a book.

2. Lightly toast the cut sides of the rolls in a skillet over medium heat for 1-2 minutes until golden and crispy, or use a toaster oven.

3. Remove the rolls from heat and immediately brush the toasted interior surfaces with extra virgin olive oil.

4. Spread approximately 100g of nduja evenly onto the bottom half of each roll, using a knife or small spatula to distribute the spicy paste.

5. Gently divide the stracciatella cheese into two portions and loosely place approximately 75g on top of the nduja on each roll, allowing the cheese to remain in soft, creamy curds rather than pressing it flat.

6. Tear 2-3 fresh basil leaves and scatter them over the stracciatella on each sandwich.

7. Season lightly with a pinch of sea salt and black pepper to each sandwich.

8. If desired, drizzle a few drops of balsamic vinegar over the basil for subtle sweetness and acidity.

Substitutions

• Replace stracciatella with fresh mozzarella di bufala or fior di latte for a milder, firmer cheese experience
• Substitute nduja with a milder 'soppressata' or hot sausage paste if nduja is unavailable or too spicy
• Use a spread of 50g nduja mixed with 50g mascarpone to reduce heat intensity while maintaining creaminess
• Replace fresh basil with fresh mint or arugula for different herbal notes

Tips

• Toast the bread just before assembly to ensure it remains warm and crispy when served, which helps meld the nduja and cheese slightly
• Choose a high-quality artisanal nduja; cheaper versions contain excessive fat and lack the complex spice profile that makes this sandwich special
• If stracciatella is difficult to find, seek it at Italian delis or specialty cheese shops; it's worth the effort for its unique creamy texture
• Serve immediately while the bread is still warm and the cheese is at room temperature for the best textural contrast

This sandwich reflects modern Italian street food culture, particularly in Southern Italy and Calabria where nduja originates. While nduja has been produced for centuries as a preserved salami paste, pairing it with fresh stracciatella is a contemporary innovation that bridges traditional ingredient heritage with casual modern dining.

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