Name: Cheesy Cabbage Casserole Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 medium head green cabbage (chopped); 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 small onion (chopped); 2 cloves garlic (minced); 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 1/2 teaspoon paprika; 1/2 cup sour cream; 1/2 cup mayonnaise; 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided); 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1/2 cup crushed Ritz crackers or breadcrumbs (optional topping); 2 tablespoons butter (melted, for topping)

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This Cheesy Cabbage Casserole is what comfort food dreams are made of: layers of tender cabbage baked under creamy, cheesy goodness and finished with a crispy, buttery topping. This is the kind of nostalgic dish that brings everyone to the table, even the pickiest of eaters. Whether you’re looking to elevate the humble cabbage or deliver a side that steals the show, this casserole nails it every time.

Cheesy Cabbage Casserole Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

With just a handful of familiar ingredients, you’ll transform everyday staples into something unforgettable. Each ingredient plays its own role, from providing creaminess and flavor to helping that irresistible golden crust form up top.

Cabbage: The star of the show, green cabbage turns melt-in-your-mouth tender when baked and soaks up every bit of flavor.
Olive oil: Softens the onions, garlic, and cabbage, creating a rich base for the casserole.
Onion: Adds subtle sweetness and depth to the overall flavor profile.
Garlic: Delivers a gentle kick that elevates all the other ingredients.
Salt and black pepper: Essential for seasoning and balancing out the richness.
Paprika: Brings a mild smoky warmth and a hint of color.
Sour cream: Adds tanginess and moisture, keeping everything luscious but never soggy.
Mayonnaise: Lends creaminess and helps bind all the filling elements together.
Cheddar cheese (shredded): Melts into gooey ribbons of flavor inside and creates that epic cheesy lid on top.
Parmesan cheese (grated): Boosts the umami factor and crisps up perfectly in the oven.
Ritz crackers or breadcrumbs (optional topping): Offers a crunchy contrast to the creamy filling.
Butter (melted, for topping): Helps the topping brown beautifully and adds a final layer of richness.

How to Make Cheesy Cabbage Casserole

Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Dish

First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). While it warms up, lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. This step prevents sticking and ensures easy serving later, so don’t skip out on this simple prep!

Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, letting them soften and turn fragrant for about 2–3 minutes. This brings out their best savory flavors, which form the yummy foundation for your Cheesy Cabbage Casserole.

Step 3: Cook the Cabbage

Toss in the chopped cabbage along with the salt, pepper, and paprika. Stir everything together and cook for 8–10 minutes, until the cabbage is tender and starting to shrink down. You want the cabbage to be soft but still have a bit of bite.

Step 4: Make the Creamy Base

In a separate mixing bowl, combine the sour cream, mayonnaise, and 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese. Whisk until smooth—the mixture should look creamy and inviting, ready to hug all that cabbage.

Step 5: Mix and Assemble

Stir the sautéed cabbage mixture into your creamy base until every single leaf gets a proper coating. Pour the whole mixture into your prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly for a smooth finish.

Step 6: Create the Cheesy Topping

Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese along with the grated Parmesan evenly over the casserole. If you crave that golden crunchy topping, mix your crushed crackers or breadcrumbs with melted butter and scatter them over everything. This is what will give your Cheesy Cabbage Casserole its signature crust!

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Pop the casserole into your hot oven and bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes. Watch for bubbling edges and a glorious, golden top. Once finished, let it sit for 5 minutes before diving in. This helps the casserole set and makes slicing a breeze.

How to Serve Cheesy Cabbage Casserole

Garnishes

After baking, top your Cheesy Cabbage Casserole with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or chives for a vibrant pop of color and a fresh flavor lift. A crack of black pepper or red pepper flakes adds a bit of zing, while a light dusting of extra Parmesan never hurt anyone!

Side Dishes

This casserole is absolutely fantastic next to classic proteins like roasted chicken, pork chops, or even a slice of holiday ham. For a vegetarian meal, serve it alongside a big green salad, or with roasted root vegetables for a cozy, balanced spread.

Creative Ways to Present

Turn your Cheesy Cabbage Casserole into the star by serving it in individual ramekins—guests will love their own bubbly, golden-topped portion. For potlucks, bake it in a pretty ceramic dish and bring it straight from oven to table. Leftover casserole also makes a stellar filling for wraps or stuffed baked potatoes!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Cheesy Cabbage Casserole stores beautifully. Simply let it cool to room temperature, then wrap the baking dish or transfer slices to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to four days. The flavors continue to meld and intensify, making leftovers just as crave-worthy.

Freezing

This casserole is freezer-friendly! Cool it completely, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil, or portion slices into freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating—you’ll be amazed how delicious it is after a quick warm-up.

Reheating

Pop leftovers into a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven until hot and bubbly, about 20 minutes for a whole casserole or 10 minutes for smaller portions. For a quick fix, you can use the microwave, but reheating in the oven helps the topping stay crisp.

FAQs

Can I add meat to Cheesy Cabbage Casserole?

Absolutely! Cooked ground sausage or diced ham are both fantastic additions. Just stir in your cooked protein with the cabbage before baking, and you’ll get an even heartier, protein-packed dish.

Is it possible to make this casserole lighter?

For a lighter twist, swap the sour cream for Greek yogurt and use light mayonnaise. You can also opt for part-skim cheese and cut down on the butter in the topping. The flavors will still shine through beautifully.

Can I prepare Cheesy Cabbage Casserole ahead of time?

Definitely! Assemble the casserole and refrigerate it (unbaked) up to 24 hours in advance. When you’re ready to serve, just add a few extra minutes to the baking time since it starts out cold.

What can I use instead of Ritz crackers or breadcrumbs for the topping?

Panko or crushed cornflakes work well for extra crunch. If you’re gluten-free, use gluten-free crackers or omit the topping altogether—the cheesy crust will still be irresistible.

Can I swap out the cheeses?

Cheddar and Parmesan give the best flavor hit, but you can use Swiss, Gruyère, or mozzarella for a change. Sharp, melty cheeses always work well with the creamy base and tender cabbage.

Final Thoughts

Trust me—once you serve up this Cheesy Cabbage Casserole, it’ll quickly find a permanent spot in your comfort food rotation. With its easy prep, crave-worthy flavors, and make-ahead magic, it’s just the dish to gather friends or family around the table. Give it a try and see for yourself just how delicious simple cabbage can be!

Cheesy Cabbage Casserole Recipe

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4.7 from 22 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the creamy and comforting flavors of this Cheesy Cabbage Casserole. A delicious side dish that combines sautéed cabbage with a rich blend of cheeses, baked to golden perfection.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

1 medium head green cabbage (chopped)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion (chopped)
2 cloves garlic (minced)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon paprika

Cheese Mixture:

1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Topping:

1/2 cup crushed Ritz crackers or breadcrumbs (optional topping)
2 tablespoons butter (melted, for topping)

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Instructions

Preheat: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Sauté: In a skillet, sauté onion and garlic in olive oil until soft. Add cabbage, salt, pepper, and paprika; cook until tender.
Mix: Combine sour cream, mayonnaise, and 1 cup of cheddar cheese. Stir in the cabbage mixture.
Bake: Transfer to the baking dish, top with remaining cheddar, Parmesan, and optional topping. Bake for 25–30 minutes.
Rest: Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.