Marry Me Melting Cabbage: A Creamy Comfort You’ll Crave Recipe
Marry Me Melting Cabbage is a comforting and creamy baked cabbage dish featuring seared wedges simmered in a rich sauce of cream cheese, heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes, and flavorful herbs. This delightful recipe offers a perfect balance of hearty vegetables and luscious textures, making it a cozy side or main course you’ll crave.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 1 head Green Cabbage (Choose local varieties for the freshest taste.)
- 1 medium Red Onion (Yellow onion works as a great substitute.)
- 4 cloves Garlic (Opt for fresh garlic, but garlic powder can be used.)
- 1/2 cup Sun-Dried Tomatoes (Fresh tomatoes can offer a different texture.)
- 1/4 cup Fresh Parsley (Basil can be used as a substitute.)
Oils and Fats
- 3 tablespoons Olive Oil (Can be swapped with canola oil for a more neutral option.)
- 2 tablespoons Butter (Consider vegan butter for a dairy-free alternative.)
- 1 cup Heavy Cream (Coconut cream can be used for a dairy-free option.)
- 8 ounces Cream Cheese (Replace with silken tofu for a lighter, vegan option.)
- 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese (Nutritional yeast can be used for vegan.)
Liquids and Broth
- 1 cup Low-Sodium Chicken Broth (Use vegetable broth for a vegetarian version.)
Seasonings and Herbs
- 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano (Fresh herbs can enhance the flavor.)
- 1 teaspoon Dried Thyme
- 1 teaspoon Dried Rosemary
- 1 teaspoon Salt (Adjust to taste.)
- 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper (Adjust to taste.)
- 1/4 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes (Omit if preferred milder.)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Slice the green cabbage into eight wedges, keeping the core intact to hold the wedges together during cooking.
- Sear Cabbage: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the cabbage wedges for 2-3 minutes on each side until they develop a golden-brown crust. This step adds flavor and texture to the cabbage.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: In the same skillet, add butter and sauté sliced red onion until softened and translucent. Then add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Make Creamy Sauce: Deglaze the pan with chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Add cream cheese and whisk continuously until smooth and creamy. Stir in heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes, dried oregano, thyme, rosemary, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Simmer the sauce gently for 3-4 minutes to blend flavors.
- Bake Cabbage in Sauce: Place the seared cabbage wedges in a baking dish. Pour the creamy sauce evenly over the cabbage. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes to allow the cabbage to become tender and absorb the flavors.
- Uncover and Finish Baking: Remove the foil, baste the cabbage with the sauce pooled in the dish, and sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top. Return to the oven and bake uncovered for another 15-20 minutes, until the cabbage is fully tender and the top is slightly browned.
- Garnish and Serve: Once baked, garnish the dish with fresh parsley or basil for a burst of color and fresh herb flavor. Serve warm as a comforting side dish or a vegetarian main course.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth for a vegetarian version.
- For a dairy-free or vegan adaptation, use vegan butter, silken tofu instead of cream cheese, coconut cream in place of heavy cream, and nutritional yeast for Parmesan.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to control the level of heat or omit them for a milder flavor.
- Keeping the cabbage core intact during slicing helps maintain the wedge shape while cooking.
- Sun-dried tomatoes add richness and tang; fresh tomatoes may alter the texture and moisture content.
Keywords: creamy cabbage recipe, baked cabbage wedges, comfort food cabbage, Marry Me Melting Cabbage, vegetable side dish, creamy vegetable bake
