Cabbage Casserole Recipe: How to Make Cabbage Casserole
Written by MasterClass
Last updated: Apr 20, 2022 • 3 min read
Cabbage casserole—which combines the natural sweetness of fresh cabbage with spiced ground meat and sautéed vegetables—is easy comfort food for chilly winter nights. Learn how to transform a head of cabbage into a meal with this easy recipe.
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What Is Cabbage Casserole?
Cabbage casserole is a low-carb, gluten-free, and keto-friendly dish of cabbage prepared in a casserole dish and baked in the oven. A cabbage casserole can have layers, like Italian lasagna, or an evenly distributed combination of vegetables, a protein, and a starchy binder, like rice. Depending on its components, you can serve cabbage casserole as a side dish or main course.
There are many ways to prepare cabbage in a baking dish. Stuffed cabbage casserole is simply a freeform interpretation of a stuffed cabbage roll recipe. Chopped cabbage can also stand in for other ingredients like noodles or the tortillas used in Mexican enchilada casserole. Any variation (stuffed or unstuffed) may feature ground meat and assorted vegetables, baked in a light tomato sauce made from seasoned diced tomatoes or in a rich gravy (made from cream of chicken soup, cream of celery soup, or cream of mushroom soup), like the kind used in a classic green bean casserole or potato casserole.
3 Tips for Making Cabbage Casserole
Cabbage casserole is a rich source of nutrients (like vitamin A, vitamin C, and potassium) and makes excellent leftovers. Here’s what to know:
- 1. Use green cabbage. While you can use red cabbage, green cabbage is the best option for casserole (the red variety will turn the cabbage mixture a grayish shade of purple as it cooks). Whether to use chopped cabbage versus shredded cabbage is a matter of preference: Shredded cabbage, like the kind used for coleslaw, results in a creamier texture as the thinner slices break down. In contrast, chopped cabbage maintains a more rustic texture with distinct pieces intact. Here’s how to cut cabbage.
- 2. Serve with cornbread, tortilla chips, and more. The best accompaniment for your cabbage casserole depends on your serving plans. If it’s the main event, serve the dish with a square of fresh cornbread for soaking up all the delicious juices. If it’s an appetizer for a crowd, pair the casserole with chips or crostini for scooping.
- 3. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Cabbage casserole will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. For more extended storage, portion it into smaller oven-safe casserole dishes and store them in the freezer for up to six months. Allow the frozen casserole dishes to come to room temperature before topping them with cheese and breadcrumbs and placing them in a hot oven.
Cheesy Cabbage Casserole Recipe
makes
prep time
10 mintotal time
1 hr 5 mincook time
55 minIngredients
Note: The total time does not include 10 minutes of inactive time.
- 1
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- 2
Lightly grease a casserole dish with the butter.
- 3
In a large pot over medium-high heat, bring 2–4 inches of salted water to a boil.
- 4
Add the chopped cabbage and the vinegar to the boiling water, and stir to combine.
- 5
Lower the heat to a simmer, cover, and cook until the cabbage is tender but not falling apart, 5–10 minutes.
- 6
Drain the cabbage well and set it aside.
- 7
In a large skillet over medium heat, warm the olive oil until shimmering.
- 8
Add the onion, bell pepper, and ground meat, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- 9
Sauté the mixture until the meat is no longer pink and the vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes.
- 10
Add the diced tomatoes, garlic powder, cumin, and chili powder, and season with salt and pepper.
- 11
Continue to cook until most of the liquid has evaporated, and the mixture has thickened to your desired consistency, at least 5 minutes.
- 12
Add the frozen peas, and fold to combine.
- 13
Add about half of the cabbage to the buttered casserole dish.
- 14
Top the cabbage with half of the meat mixture.
- 15
Repeat with the remaining cabbage and meat.
- 16
Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese and breadcrumbs over the casserole.
- 17
Bake the casserole until the cheese has melted and the breadcrumbs are golden brown and crispy, about 30 minutes.
- 18
Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes before serving.
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