Marry Me Melting Cabbage: A Creamy Comfort Food Delight Recipe

Introduction

Marry Me Melting Cabbage is a creamy, comforting dish that transforms simple cabbage into a rich and flavorful meal. With a luscious sauce of cream cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and herbs, it’s perfect as a cozy dinner or impressive side.

Ingredients

• 1 head green cabbage, cut into wedges
• 2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
• 3 tablespoons butter or plant-based butter for dairy-free
• 1 medium red onion or shallots for milder flavor
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth for vegetarian
• 8 ounces full-fat cream cheese or vegan cream cheese
• 1 cup heavy cream or coconut cream for non-dairy
• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes or fresh tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon dried herbs (oregano, thyme, rosemary) or fresh herbs if available
• 1 teaspoon salt, to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast for vegan
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley or other herbs like basil

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Cut the green cabbage into eight wedges, keeping the core intact.
2. Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large cast iron skillet and sear the cabbage wedges for 2-3 minutes on each side until lightly browned.
3. Step 3: In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté the chopped red onion until soft. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant.
4. Step 4: Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the pan. Whisk in the cream cheese until smooth.
5. Step 5: Add heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes, dried herbs, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Simmer for 2-3 minutes to combine flavors.
6. Step 6: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and fully incorporated into the sauce.
7. Step 7: Nestle the seared cabbage wedges into the creamy sauce. Cover the skillet with a lid or foil and bake in the oven for 45 minutes.
8. Step 8: Remove the cover, baste the cabbage with the sauce, and bake uncovered for an additional 15-20 minutes until tender and golden on top.
9. Step 9: Let the dish rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and extra Parmesan before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For a dairy-free version, use plant-based butter, vegan cream cheese, coconut cream, and nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan.
• Fresh herbs like basil or thyme can be used instead of dried for a brighter flavor.
• Ensure the cabbage is well seared to deepen the flavor and add texture before baking.
• Sun-dried tomatoes add richness, but fresh tomatoes can be substituted for a lighter sauce.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave until warmed through. The sauce may thicken when chilled—add a splash of broth or cream when reheating if needed.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this dish vegan?

Yes, substitute the butter, cream cheese, and heavy cream with plant-based alternatives, and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese to keep it vegan-friendly.

How do I know when the cabbage is done?

The cabbage should be tender and easily pierced with a fork after baking. The edges will be slightly golden and the sauce thick and creamy.

Marry Me Melting Cabbage: A Creamy Comfort Food Delight Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 52 reviews

Marry Me Melting Cabbage is a creamy, comforting dish featuring tender green cabbage wedges simmered and baked in a rich, flavorful sauce made with cream cheese, heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes, and aromatic herbs. This versatile recipe can be adapted to suit dairy-free and vegetarian diets, offering a delicious and elegant side or main course perfect for cozy meals.

• Author: Lisa
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Side Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Cabbage

• 1 head Green Cabbage cut into wedges
• 2 tablespoons Olive Oil or vegetable oil

For the Sauce

• 3 tablespoons Butter or plant-based butter for dairy-free
• 1 medium Red Onion or shallots for milder flavor, chopped
• 3 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 cup Low-Sodium Chicken Broth or vegetable broth for vegetarian
• 8 ounces Full-Fat Cream Cheese or vegan cream cheese
• 1 cup Heavy Cream or coconut cream for non-dairy
• 1/2 cup Sun-Dried Tomatoes or fresh tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon Dried Herbs (Oregano, Thyme, Rosemary) or fresh herbs if available
• 1 teaspoon Salt to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes, optional
• 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese or nutritional yeast for vegan
• 1/4 cup Chopped Fresh Parsley or other herbs like basil

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the cabbage later.
2. Prepare Cabbage: Cut the green cabbage into eight wedges, keeping the core intact so the wedges hold together during cooking.
3. Sear Cabbage: Heat olive oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the cabbage wedges for 2-3 minutes on each side until slightly browned, which enhances flavor and texture.
4. Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, melt butter and add chopped red onion. Sauté until soft and translucent, then add minced garlic and cook until fragrant.
5. Deglaze and Add Cream Cheese: Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth, scraping the skillet to loosen browned bits. Whisk in the cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
6. Add Cream and Tomatoes: Stir in heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes, dried herbs, salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Let the sauce simmer gently for 2-3 minutes to meld flavors.
7. Melt Parmesan: Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until fully melted and incorporated into the sauce, creating a rich texture.
8. Assemble for Baking: Nestle the seared cabbage wedges into the creamy sauce in the skillet. Cover the skillet with a lid or foil.
9. Bake Covered: Place the covered skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes to allow the cabbage to soften and absorb the sauce flavors.
10. Bake Uncovered: Remove the cover, baste the cabbage with the sauce from the bottom of the skillet, and continue baking uncovered for an additional 15-20 minutes to thicken the sauce and develop more color.
11. Rest and Garnish: Allow the baked cabbage to rest for 5 minutes out of the oven. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and additional Parmesan cheese before serving to add freshness and a final flavor boost.

Notes

• This dish can be adapted for dietary preferences by using plant-based butter, vegan cream cheese, vegetable broth, and nutritional yeast to make it dairy-free and vegetarian.
• Proper searing of the cabbage gives the dish its signature depth of flavor and slightly crispy texture on the edges.
• If fresh herbs are available, they add an extra layer of flavor; otherwise, dried herbs work well.
• Adjust the level of red pepper flakes according to your spice preference or omit for a milder dish.

Keywords: melting cabbage, creamy cabbage recipe, baked cabbage wedges, comfort food cabbage, Marry Me Melting Cabbage, vegetarian creamy cabbage, cabbage side dish, dairy-free creamy cabbage option