Marry Me Melting Cabbage: A Creamy Comfort Food Delight Recipe
Marry Me Melting Cabbage is a creamy, comforting baked dish featuring tender cabbage wedges enveloped in a rich sauce made from cream cheese, heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese. This savory recipe brings together simple ingredients into an indulgent and flavorful meal that’s perfect for cozy dinners.
- Author: Bella
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Vegetables
- 1 head Green Cabbage (cut into wedges)
- 1 medium Red Onion (or shallots for milder flavor)
- 3 cloves Garlic (minced)
- 1/2 cup Sun-Dried Tomatoes (or fresh tomatoes)
- 1/4 cup Chopped Fresh Parsley (or other herbs like basil)
Dairy & Fats
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil (or vegetable oil)
- 3 tablespoons Butter (or plant-based butter for dairy-free)
- 8 ounces Full-Fat Cream Cheese (or vegan cream cheese)
- 1 cup Heavy Cream (or coconut cream for non-dairy)
- 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese (or nutritional yeast for vegan)
Liquids & Broths
- 1 cup Low-Sodium Chicken Broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian)
Herbs & Spices
- 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)
- Preparation: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Cut the green cabbage into eight wedges, ensuring the core stays intact to hold the wedges together during cooking.
- Searing the Cabbage: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear each cabbage wedge for 2-3 minutes on each side until slightly browned to develop flavor and texture.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, add butter and sauté the chopped red onion until soft and translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Form the Sauce Base: Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth, scraping the skillet’s browned bits to incorporate flavor. Whisk in the cream cheese until smooth and fully combined.
- 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 blend the flavors.
- Melt Parmesan Cheese: Mix in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smoothly integrated into the sauce, enriching the creamy texture.
- Bake the Cabbage: Place the seared cabbage wedges nestle-style into the sauce within the skillet or transfer to an oven-safe dish. Cover and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes.
- Finish Baking: Remove the cover, baste the cabbage with sauce, and continue baking uncovered for an additional 15-20 minutes until the cabbage is tender and the sauce slightly thickened and golden on top.
- Rest and Garnish: Allow the dish to rest for 5 minutes after removing from the oven. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and extra grated Parmesan before serving for a fresh, flavorful finish.
Notes
- You can substitute plant-based butter and vegan cream cheese to make this recipe dairy-free.
- Using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth makes it suitable for vegetarians.
- Keep the cabbage wedges intact by not cutting through the core to maintain structure during baking.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, increase the red pepper flakes to taste.
- This dish pairs well with crusty bread or roasted meats as a hearty side.
- Leftovers can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
Keywords: creamy cabbage, baked cabbage, comfort food, vegetable casserole, Marry Me Melting Cabbage, creamy cabbage wedges, vegetarian cabbage recipe