Simply Scrumptious Easy Creamy Scalloped Cabbage Bake

Easy Scalloped Cabbage

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Preparation time:20 Mins

Cooking time:40 Mins

Servings:6 servings

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x9 inch (or similar 2-quart) baking dish thoroughly with butter.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Briefly plunge the sliced cabbage into the boiling water for 2 3 minutes until slightly tender. Drain very well and pat dry.
• Melt the 2 Tbsp butter for the sauce in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour continuously for 1 minute to form a smooth roux.
• Gradually whisk in the milk and stock until smooth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, whisking constantly, until it thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon (about 5 7 minutes).
• Remove the thickened sauce from the heat. Stir in the Dijon mustard, nutmeg, salt, pepper, and 1 cup of the grated Cheddar until fully melted and smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning.
• Assemble the bake: Layer half of the blanched cabbage into the prepared baking dish. Pour half of the cheese sauce over the top. Repeat with the remaining cabbage and sauce.
• In a small bowl, combine the Panko breadcrumbs, remaining grated Cheddar, and Parmesan (if using). Sprinkle evenly over the top layer of the bake.
• Bake for 35 40 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbling up around the sides and the topping is golden brown and crisp.
• Let the dish rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to settle.

Nutrition Facts

Calories	325kcal
Fat	20g
Fiber	4g

Recipe Info

Category	Side Dish
Cuisine	British

Ditching the Dairy Drama: Why This Comfort Cabbage Wins Every Time

When the craving for something rich, cheesy, and deeply satisfying hits, many of us instinctively reach for potatoes think gratins or creamy mashed sides. However, I’m here to champion a humble vegetable that deserves far more adoration: cabbage.

This Easy Scalloped Cabbage recipe strips away the fuss often associated with traditional baked sides and delivers pure, unadulterated comfort. It’s a revelation; tender, sweet cabbage enveloped in a velvety, nutmeg spiced sauce, crowned with a perfectly browned, crunchy top.

Forget everything you thought you knew about boiled, bland greens; this is how you transform cabbage into the main event, or at least, the undisputed star side dish of the meal.

The Secret to Elevating Humble Cabbage into a Showstopper Side Dish

The magic here lies in marrying the gentle sweetness of cooked cabbage with a robust, dairy rich sauce. This isn't just another vegetable bake; it’s a sophisticated yet remarkably straightforward layering technique.

We aim for that luxurious mouthfeel reminiscent of a Dauphinoise, but applied to shredded cabbage instead of sliced potatoes. The goal is a texture contrast that keeps every bite interesting: soft interior against a crisp, golden exterior.

Redefining Comfort Food: Speed Meets Sophistication

Many classic baked sides demand a significant time investment, often involving lengthy blanching, precise sauce preparation, or slow oven times. Our approach cuts through that unnecessary complexity.

The technique relies on a quick, smooth sauce creation that skips the complicated roux making process sometimes required in older recipes. This allows us to transform simple ingredients into a genuinely impressive comfort food cabbage bake in under an hour from start to finish, proving that gourmet flavours don't always require hours in the kitchen.

A Nod to Nostalgia Without the All-Day Fuss

There’s something deeply reassuring about a hot, cheesy casserole emerging from the oven. This scalloped cabbage recipe taps directly into that nostalgic feeling, reminiscent of family gatherings or Sunday dinners, but optimized for modern life.

It delivers all the warmth and depth you’d expect from a beloved classic, but the entire process is streamlined. It's the kind of dish that tastes like it simmered all afternoon, even though the oven time is surprisingly short.

Why This Easy Scalloped Cabbage Belongs on Your Table Tonight

If you’re looking for a quick cabbage side dish that genuinely delights, look no further. It pairs beautifully with almost anything from roast chicken to pork chops and provides a satisfying, substantial texture that wilted greens simply cannot match.

On top of that,, this recipe is highly adaptable, opening doors to easy vegetarian modifications or even adding smoky depth if you opt for a scalloped cabbage with bacon variation. It’s versatile, flavourful, and the ultimate crowd pleaser.

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Assembling Your Creamy Cabbage Components: What You'll Need

Creating this fantastic cabbage casserole recipe requires focusing on three main areas: the cabbage itself, the rich sauce base, and the crunchy topping that seals the deal.

For a serving size of six, we start with one medium head of white cabbage, about 2 pounds (or 900g), which will shrink down beautifully during cooking.

Tool Kit Essentials for Effortless Preparation

Before we begin, ensure you have a large, heavy bottomed saucepan ready for whisking your sauce, a box grater for quick cheese shredding, and a 2-quart baking dish (a 9x9 inch square works perfectly) ready to receive the layers.

Having these tools prepped makes the 20 minutes of active prep time fly by.

The Star Ingredient: Selecting the Perfect Head of Cabbage

The cabbage you choose dictates the final texture. For this style of bake, a standard green or white cabbage is ideal due to its firmness, which holds up wonderfully when softened in the oven. Core the head completely, as the core can be tough, and slice the leaves thinly.

Think of the thickness you might use for homemade coleslaw slender ribbons work best to ensure even cooking and easy layering.

Building the Rich Sauce: Dairy and Seasoning Breakdown

The heart of this dish is the creamy element. We start with 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter melted down, quickly whisked with an equal amount of all-purpose flour to create a smooth foundation. Into this base, we introduce 2 cups of whole milk and 1/2 cup of low-sodium chicken or vegetable stock.

The secret weapon for flavour depth here is a teaspoon of Dijon mustard and a crucial pinch about 1/8 of a teaspoon of ground nutmeg. Nutmeg elevates any cream sauce, providing warmth that complements the cabbage perfectly.

Fold in 1 packed cup of sharp Cheddar cheese off the heat, stirring until it’s velvety smooth.

Breadcrumb Bliss: Achieving That Golden Crust Topping

No baked casserole is complete without that textural snap on top. For our crust, we combine 1/4 cup of Panko breadcrumbs Panko offers superior crispness with 2 extra tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese (if desired for extra saltiness).

This mixture, sprinkled generously over the final layer, catches the oven heat, turning golden brown while the interior simmers in the sauce.

The Step-by-Step Guide to Perfect Scalloping

Bringing these components together into a cohesive, delicious bake is surprisingly simple. Our goal is to ensure the cabbage is tender but not mushy, and the sauce is thick enough to cling beautifully without becoming runny.

Prepping the Produce: Blanching Versus Raw

While you can layer raw, thinly sliced cabbage, I highly recommend a quick blanch. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil and submerge your shredded cabbage for just 2 to 3 minutes.

This initial softening ensures that even the thickest pieces cook through evenly during the final bake. Crucially, drain this cabbage extremely well and pat it dry using a clean kitchen towel. Excess moisture is the enemy of a thick, creamy scalloped cabbage .

Crafting the Velvety Cheese Sauce Base

With your cabbage prepped, turn your attention to the sauce. Melt the 2 tablespoons of butter in your saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for a full minute this cooks out the raw flour taste.

Slowly introduce the milk and stock, whisking continuously until the mixture thickens to coat the back of a spoon, which usually takes about 5 to 7 minutes of gentle simmering.

Remove from the heat, stir in the Dijon, nutmeg, salt, pepper, and the main portion of the Cheddar until completely melted and integrated.

Layering and Final Assembly for Even Cooking

Lightly butter your baking dish to prevent sticking. Start by spreading half of your pre-blanched cabbage across the bottom. Pour half of the magnificent cheese sauce evenly over this layer.

Repeat the process: the remaining cabbage, followed by the rest of the sauce, ensuring every piece of vegetable is submerged in that creamy goodness. Finally, sprinkle the Panko and Parmesan topping evenly across the surface.

Baking Times and Visual Cues for a Bronzed Finish

Preheat your oven to 375° F ( 190° C). Slide the dish onto a middle rack. The total baking time should hover between 35 and 40 minutes.

You are looking for two clear visual cues: the sauce should be aggressively bubbling up around the edges of the dish, indicating it’s piping hot throughout, and the breadcrumb topping must be a deep, appealing golden brown.

Letting the homemade scalloped cabbage rest for about 10 minutes after removing it from the oven allows the sauce to settle, resulting in perfectly firm, cohesive slices when serving.

Troubleshooting and Next Level Enhancements for Your Bake

Even the simplest recipes can benefit from a little fine tuning or customisation. Don’t hesitate to experiment once you master the basic technique of this easy scalloped cabbage recipe .

Making This Recipe Vegetarian or Vegan Friendly

This recipe leans towards being vegetarian already, provided you use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock. To make it truly vegan, substitute the dairy components: use high quality plant based butter, replace the milk with unsweetened soy or oat milk (which thickens well), and swap the Cheddar for a robust vegan cheese blend or nutritional yeast mixed with a thickening agent like cornstarch instead of the flour/butter roux.

Expert Tips for Preventing a Watery Scalloped Cabbage

The most common pitfall is excess moisture. As mentioned, drain the blanched cabbage meticulously squeeze it! Next,, do not rush the sauce thickening stage. If the sauce is too thin when you pour it over the cabbage, it will leach into the vegetable cells during baking, resulting in a soupy dish rather than a creamy casserole.

Ensure that sauce is coating the back of your spoon before assembly.

How Long Does This Easy Scalloped Cabbage Last in the Fridge?

This comfort food cabbage bake reheats beautifully. Store leftovers tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to four days. When reheating, cover loosely with foil for the first 15 minutes in the oven at 350° F ( 175° C) to prevent the topping from burning before the centre is heated through.

Pairing Perfection: What Main Courses Complement This Bake?

Because this bake is so rich and creamy, it pairs wonderfully with leaner or acidic main courses that cut through the fat. Consider serving it alongside grilled sausages or pan-seared pork chops drizzled with a sharp apple chutney.

It’s also a fantastic, substantial alternative to potatoes when serving roasted ham or chicken. The richness demands something slightly tangy to balance the plate.