Marry Me Melting Cabbage: A Creamy Comfort Food Delight Recipe
Marry Me Melting Cabbage is a creamy, comforting dish featuring tender wedges of green cabbage simmered and baked in a rich, cheesy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and aromatic herbs. This recipe offers a luscious side or vegetarian main course that combines rustic flavors with a velvety texture, perfect for warming up any meal.
- Author: reem
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Cabbage and 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)
Oils and Fats
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil (or vegetable oil)
- 3 tablespoons Butter (or plant-based butter for dairy-free)
Liquids and Dairy
- 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)
Seasonings and Cheese
- 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)
- Preparation Steps: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Cut the green cabbage into eight wedges, keeping the core intact to hold the wedges together during cooking.
- Sear the Cabbage: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the cabbage wedges for 2-3 minutes on each side until they develop a light golden-brown color.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, melt the butter and add the chopped red onion. Sauté until soft and fragrant, then add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
- Add Broth and Cream Cheese: Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth, scraping the skillet to loosen any browned bits. Whisk in the cream cheese to start forming a creamy sauce.
- Incorporate Cream and Tomatoes: Stir in the heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes, dried herbs, salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Simmer the mixture for 2-3 minutes to blend the flavors and thicken the sauce slightly.
- Add Parmesan Cheese: Mix in the grated Parmesan cheese until fully melted and incorporated, enriching the sauce with a salty, nutty flavor.
- Combine and Bake: Nestle the seared cabbage wedges upright into the creamy sauce in the skillet. Cover the pan and transfer it to the preheated oven. Bake for 45 minutes, allowing the cabbage to soften and absorb the sauce.
- Uncover and Baste: Remove the cover, baste the cabbage wedges with the sauce to keep them moist, then continue baking uncovered for another 15-20 minutes to develop a slightly golden, caramelized top layer.
- Rest and Garnish: Let the dish rest for 5 minutes after baking. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and extra Parmesan cheese before serving to add freshness and additional flavor.
Notes
- For a vegan version, substitute butter with plant-based butter, cream cheese with vegan cream cheese, heavy cream with coconut cream, chicken broth with vegetable broth, and Parmesan cheese with nutritional yeast.
- Keeping the cabbage core intact helps the wedges hold their shape during cooking.
- Sun-dried tomatoes add a sweet and tangy depth, but fresh tomatoes can be used as a substitute for a milder flavor.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to your heat preference or omit if you prefer no spice.
- Serve as a hearty side or a vegetarian main dish with crusty bread or grains.
Keywords: creamy cabbage recipe, baked cabbage wedges, Marry Me Melting Cabbage, comfort food, vegetarian cabbage dish, sun-dried tomatoes recipe