Description
This Creamy Cabbage Casserole with Bacon is a comforting, hearty dish featuring tender cabbage cooked with savory bacon and onions, enveloped in a rich, creamy cheese sauce. Baked until bubbly and golden, it’s perfect as a satisfying side or a light main course.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Dairy
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium head green cabbage, chopped (about 6–7 cups)
Seasonings
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon paprika (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prepare for the casserole.
- Cook Bacon: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until crispy. Once done, remove the bacon and set it aside, leaving about 1 tablespoon of bacon grease in the skillet for added flavor.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: Add the diced onion to the skillet with the bacon grease and sauté for 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Cook Cabbage: Add the chopped cabbage to the skillet. Cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage is just slightly softened but not fully cooked through.
- Prepare Creamy Sauce: In a large bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, softened cream cheese, half of the shredded cheddar cheese, salt, black pepper, and optional paprika until smooth and well combined.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the cooked cabbage mixture to the creamy sauce in the bowl. Stir well to coat the cabbage evenly. Fold in most of the cooked bacon, reserving some for topping.
- Assemble Casserole: Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Evenly sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese and reserved bacon on top of the casserole for a cheesy, crispy finish.
- Bake: Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 35–40 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the top turns a light golden brown.
- Rest and Serve: Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5–10 minutes to set. Serve warm and enjoy your creamy, savory cabbage casserole.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, omit bacon and substitute with smoked paprika or liquid smoke for depth of flavor.
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter version, though it will be less rich.
- If cream cheese is not softened, microwave it briefly to make mixing easier.
- Leftovers can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
- Add a pinch of nutmeg or cayenne pepper to the cream mixture for an extra flavor kick.
