The Creamiest Escalloped Cabbage Recipe for Comfort Meals

Creamy and comforting cabbage dishes can revolutionize your weeknight escalloped cabbage recipe with minimal effort.

Layers of tender green leaves promise a delightful culinary adventure.

Cheesy textures mingle with soft vegetable goodness in this simple side.

Hearty ingredients come together effortlessly to create a satisfying meal.

Home cooks appreciate how quickly this dish assembles with pantry staples.

Nutritious and budget-friendly, this recipe turns humble cabbage into something extraordinary.

You’ll want to savor every delectable bite of this classic comfort food.

Escalloped Cabbage Puts a Creamy Spin on a Classic Side

• Savor Home Comfort: This escalloped cabbage recipe brings warmth and deliciousness to your dinner table with minimal effort.
• Quick and Easy Prep: With just a few simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you can whip up this side dish in under an hour, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
• Budget-Friendly Delight: Cabbage is an affordable vegetable that transforms into a creamy, satisfying dish without breaking the bank, allowing you to create a tasty meal on a budget.
• Family-Friendly Flavor: Kids and adults alike will enjoy the creamy texture and mild taste, making it an excellent side dish that appeals to different palates and adds nutrition to your meal.

What You’ll Need for Escalloped Cabbage

• Cabbage: A mild, slightly sweet vegetable that forms the base of this comforting casserole, providing a tender and flavorful foundation.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps create a smooth, creamy texture throughout the dish.
• Flour: Works as a thickening agent to create a luxurious sauce that coats the cabbage.

• Milk: Creates a smooth, creamy sauce that binds the ingredients together and adds moisture.
• Heavy Cream: Enhances the richness and provides a velvety consistency to the sauce.
• Salt: Brings out the natural flavors of the cabbage and other ingredients.
• Black Pepper: Adds a subtle heat and depth of flavor to the dish.

• Breadcrumbs: Provides a crispy, golden-brown topping that adds texture and crunch.
• Cheese (Optional): Offers a tangy, melty element that complements the cabbage and sauce.
• Nutmeg (Optional): Adds a warm, subtle spice that pairs beautifully with creamy dishes.

Escalloped Cabbage Preparation Guide

Step 1: Preheat The Oven

Turn on the oven and set the temperature to 375°F.

Allow the oven to warm up completely before starting your cooking process.

Step 2: Prepare The Baking Dish

Coat the 9×9-inch baking dish with a thin layer of butter or spray it evenly with nonstick cooking spray.

This prevents the cabbage from sticking and makes cleanup easier.

Step 3: Slice And Chop Cabbage

Remove the tough outer leaves of the cabbage.

Cut the cabbage in half, remove the core, and slice it into thin, uniform strips.

Chop the strips into bite-sized pieces that will cook evenly and create a tender texture.

Step 4: Create Creamy Sauce

• Milk
• Heavy cream
• Butter
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder

Whisk the ingredients together over medium heat until the mixture is smooth and starts to simmer.

The sauce should be creamy and well-blended.

Step 5: Mix Cabbage With Sauce

Pour the warm cream sauce over the chopped cabbage.

Gently stir to ensure every piece of cabbage is coated with the creamy mixture.

This helps distribute flavor and ensures even cooking.

Step 6: Add Cheese Topping

• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Grated parmesan cheese

The cheese will create a golden, crispy top layer when baked.

Step 7: Bake The Casserole

Transfer the cabbage and sauce mixture to the prepared baking dish.

Place in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes.

The top should turn golden brown and the cabbage should become tender.

Step 8: Rest And Serve

Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes.

This allows the sauce to set and makes serving easier.

Serve hot as a delicious side dish.

Side Dish Tips for Classic Escalloped Cabbage

• Add crispy bacon bits or smoked ham to enhance the savory profile of the escalloped cabbage, creating a more complex and satisfying taste.
• Thoroughly drain shredded cabbage after blanching to remove excess moisture, ensuring a creamy and cohesive casserole without unwanted liquid.
• Experiment with different cheese varieties like sharp cheddar, gruyère, or a blend of cheeses to customize the dish's richness and tang.
• Substitute regular breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives or crushed almond flour to accommodate dietary restrictions without compromising texture.
• Incorporate additional vegetables like diced carrots or leeks to boost the nutritional profile and add more color and texture to the dish.

How to Store Escalloped Cabbage Safely

• Store leftover escalloped cabbage in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Wrap tightly in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty aluminum foil, preserving the dish for 2-3 months without compromising taste or texture.
• Preheat oven to 350°F, cover with aluminum foil to prevent drying, and warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through completely.
• Place individual portions in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to ensure even warming.

What Goes Nicely With Escalloped Cabbage

• Savor Creamy Comfort Companions: Perfect Pairings for Escalloped Cabbage
• Roast Succulent Chicken: A classic roasted chicken provides tender, juicy protein that complements the rich, creamy texture of escalloped cabbage, creating a harmonious main course combination.
• Pair Crisp White Wine: A chilled Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc cuts through the dish's richness, offering a refreshing contrast with its bright, acidic notes that cleanse the palate between bites.
• Enhance with Hearty Bread: Crusty sourdough or rustic whole grain bread serves as an ideal side, perfect for soaking up the delectable cheese sauce and adding a delightful textural crunch to the meal.
• Serve Tangy Side Salad: A light, zesty green salad with a vinaigrette dressing balances the creamy cabbage dish, introducing fresh, crisp elements that make the overall dining experience more vibrant and balanced.

Cabbage Dish In Simple New Styles

• Keto-Friendly Cabbage Bake: Replace breadcrumbs with almond flour and use heavy cream instead of milk to create a low-carb version that fits ketogenic dietary needs.
• Vegan Vegetable Casserole: Swap butter for olive oil, use plant-based milk alternative like soy or oat milk, and incorporate nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor without dairy.
• Gluten-Free Comfort Dish: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers to make the recipe safe for those with gluten sensitivities while maintaining the original texture.
• Protein-Packed Option: Add cooked diced chicken or crumbled bacon to transform the side dish into a hearty main course with additional protein and depth of flavor.

FAQs

• What type of cabbage works best for this recipe?

Green cabbage is ideal due to its crisp texture and mild flavor, but you can also use Savoy or napa cabbage for slightly different taste profiles.

• Can I make this dish vegetarian?

Yes, simply replace any meat-based ingredients like bacon or ham with vegetarian alternatives such as smoked tofu or vegetable-based seasonings to maintain depth of flavor.

• Is this recipe suitable for people with gluten sensitivities?

You can easily make this gluten-free by using gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers as the topping instead of traditional breadcrumbs.

• How do I prevent the cabbage from becoming too watery?

Ensure you drain the cabbage thoroughly after chopping and cooking, and avoid adding extra liquid. Pat the cabbage dry with paper towels before assembling the dish to remove excess moisture.

Escalloped Cabbage Recipe

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• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Creamy escalloped cabbage brings Southern comfort to your dinner table with its rich, cheesy layers of tender cabbage. Melted cheese and buttery breadcrumbs create a delightful side dish you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Vegetables:

• 1 medium head green cabbage (about 6 cups, chopped)

Dairy and Cheese:

• 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) milk or heavy cream
• 1 cup (100 g) shredded cheddar or Gruyere cheese
• 3 tablespoons butter

Seasonings and Dry Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 cup (50 g) bread crumbs
• 1 tablespoon butter (melted, for topping)

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Instructions

1. Prepare a welcoming thermal environment by calibrating the oven to a precise 375°F (190°C), creating an ideal roasting atmosphere for the upcoming culinary creation.
2. Select a 9×9-inch (23×23 cm) baking vessel and lovingly coat its interior with a thin, protective layer of butter or utilize a convenient nonstick spray to prevent unwanted adhesion.
3. Meticulously slice the cabbage into uniform, delicate pieces, ensuring each fragment promises a tender bite and harmonious texture throughout the dish.
4. Craft a luxurious cream sauce by gently whisking together the cream, milk, and seasonings, allowing the ingredients to meld into a silky, harmonious blend that will envelop the cabbage.
5. Layer the cabbage segments strategically within the prepared baking dish, creating a carefully constructed landscape of verdant vegetable terrain.
6. Drench the cabbage layers with the velvety cream sauce, ensuring each crevice and corner receives an equitable coating of the rich, flavor-enhancing liquid.
7. Sprinkle the cheese and breadcrumbs across the surface, constructing a golden, crisp crown that will transform into a delectable, crunchy topping during the baking process.
8. Transfer the assembled dish into the preheated oven, allowing the ingredients to transform and marry their flavors during a 35-40 minute culinary metamorphosis.
9. Once the surface achieves a mesmerizing golden-brown hue and the edges bubble with tempting enthusiasm, extract the baked creation from the oven.
10. Allow the escalloped cabbage to rest momentarily, permitting the molten elements to stabilize before serving this comforting, elegant side dish.

Notes

• Slice cabbage uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
• Drain cabbage thoroughly after boiling to prevent excess water from making the casserole soggy and diluting flavors.
• Experiment with cheese varieties like sharp cheddar or gruyère to add depth and complexity to the traditional recipe.
• Consider adding crispy bacon bits or toasted breadcrumbs on top for extra crunch and a savory boost.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 181
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 313 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 15 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 31 mg