Cheesy Cabbage Casserole Recipe

Turn a simple head of cabbage into a delightful side dish with a creamy filling and a buttery, cheesy topping. Goes great with just about any main dish. This Cheesy Cabbage Casserole Recipe is easy, delicious, and budget-friendly.

I am a fan of cabbage; it’s one of my favorite vegetables and always makes a tasty dish. A few of my favorite cabbage recipes are creamy coleslaw, roasted cabbage steaks, and southern pan-fried cabbage and onions. Sometimes the best things to eat are pretty simple. Cabbage is inexpensive and available year-round in the grocery store.

What is Cabbage Casserole?

This southern cabbage casserole is pure comfort food and is full of wonderful flavor. It begins with green cabbage, sliced onions, melted butter, and a crunchy topping. Indeed a combination of simple ingredients that combine to make a side dish for an easy weeknight meal.

This dish can easily be customized to suit the needs and tastes of your family. If you don’t like onion, leave it out. If you want to add some ground meat, add it. The cracker crumb topping finishes the dish with color and contrast to the creamy center.

So the next time you find yourself with a head of cabbage in your refrigerator and want to do something a little different, turn it into a creamy cabbage dish your whole family will enjoy.

Why You’ll Love This Dish

This tasty side dish goes well as a side dish for holidays- Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, and the New Year. This dish is sure to brighten up the table and bring balance to the heavier dishes being served.

Ingredients

For a detailed list of ingredients, see the recipe card at the bottom of the page for the full recipe.

Only a few ingredients are needed for this recipe, and a handful of basic ingredients can be found in most pantries.

Cabbage– A medium cabbage is the main ingredient in this recipe. I used a 2.5-pound cabbage, and it filled my dish.

Onion– A yellow or sweet onion sliced thinly would be perfect.

Salt & Black Pepper– The only seasonings needed for this dish. You’ll only need about half a teaspoon salt and black pepper.

Butter– You will need 1 1/2 sticks of melted butter. You’ll need 4 tablespoons butter to drizzle over the cabbage and a stick of butter to mix with the cracker crumbs for the topping. Everything is better with butter.

Mayonnaise– Use your favorite brand to add creaminess.

Cream of Mushroom Soup (cream of celery soup or cream of chicken soup would also work nicely) 

Ritz Crackers– You will only need 1 sleeve of crackers. Buttery cracker crumbs make an excellent topping.

Cheddar cheese– Shredded cheese adds flavor to the topping.

How to Clean Your Cabbage

You should wash and clean your cabbage before making this recipe. To clean the cabbage, peel back the outer leaves and discard any wilted, bruised, or soft leaves. Then cut the cabbage into wedges and run it under cold water to rinse away any dirt. Look for cabbages with a nice outside and a few wilted leaves, and they may be slightly heavier.

How to Make Cabbage Casserole Recipe

For detailed step-by-step instructions, see the recipe card below. A little prep time is involved in making this cheesy, creamy, and delightful side dish.

1. Lightly spray a casserole dish with nonstick spray. Set aside.
2. Rough chop cabbage into bite-sized pieces and place in a 9×13 casserole dish.
3. Place onion on top of the cabbage and sprinkle salt and pepper. Then drizzle 1/2 stick melted butter over the top and sides of the casserole.
4. To a small bowl, add 1/2 cup mayo and cream of soup. Stir and drop by spoonful over the top of the cabbage and gently spread to cover the top.
5. Add crushed crackers, melted butter, and cheese to a medium bowl for the topping. Mix. Sprinkle topping on top of the casserole.
6. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 45 minutes- 1 hour or until the top is a light golden brown.

Coleslaw fan? Try my Creamy Coleslaw, Oriental Coleslaw, or Tangy Vinegar Coleslaw. All would be delightful for cookouts and go great with pulled pork, BBQ chicken, or Hamburgers.

How to Chop the Cabbage

You will need to rough-chop the cabbage. You are looking for bite-sized pieces and not shredded ones. A large sharp knife will do the job but feel free to use your food processor if desired. This takes a few minutes to do by hand, and I usually don’t like messing up more dishes than needed. Add the core to your compost bin, or discard it.

Tips and Recipe Variations

• Add some cooked lean ground beef to the casserole and turn this side dish into a complete meal for your family.

• Swap out the cheddar cheese for pepper jack cheese and some parmesan cheese.

• Buy a head of cabbage and chop yourself.

• Add some crispy bacon.

• You will need green cabbage for this recipe.

How to Serve

This casserole is best served from the oven. It goes great with a slice of cornbread. Serve with chicken, turkey, beef, or pork. This dish can easily replace other side dishes for dinner and goes with almost any main dish.

How to Store Leftovers

Leftovers are great the next day, warmed in the oven or the microwave. Allow the casserole to cool to room temperature, then store leftovers in a covered container or an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

More Dishes to Serve with this Cabbage Casserole Dish

Fried Pork Chops

Oven Baked BBQ Ribs

Classic Meatloaf

Chicken Tenders

FAQs