Marry Me Melting Cabbage: A Creamy Comfort Food Delight Recipe
Marry Me Melting Cabbage is a creamy, comforting dish featuring tender cabbage wedges simmered and baked in a rich, cheesy sauce infused with sun-dried tomatoes and aromatic herbs. This easy-to-make recipe combines searing and baking techniques to deliver a flavorful, melt-in-your-mouth vegetarian entrée or side that delights the senses and warms the soul.
- Author: Clara
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American Comfort Food
- Diet: Vegetarian
Cabbage
- 1 head Green Cabbage (cut into wedges)
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil (or vegetable oil)
- 3 tablespoons Butter (or plant-based butter for dairy-free)
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 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)
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)
- 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese (or nutritional yeast for vegan)
Seasonings
- 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)
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the cabbage wedges.
- Prepare Cabbage Wedges: Cut the green cabbage into eight wedges, keeping the core intact to help hold the wedges together during cooking.
- Sear Cabbage: Heat olive oil in a skillet and sear the cabbage wedges for 2-3 minutes on each side until slightly browned to develop flavor.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté the chopped red onion until soft and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook briefly until fragrant.
- Create Sauce Base: Pour chicken broth into the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the pan. Whisk in cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
- Add Cream and Flavorings: Stir in heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes, dried herbs, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Allow the mixture to simmer for 2-3 minutes to blend flavors.
- Incorporate Cheese: Mix in the grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until melted and fully incorporated into the sauce.
- Combine and Bake: Nestle the seared cabbage wedges into the sauce in the skillet or transfer to a baking dish. Cover and bake for 45 minutes to tenderize the cabbage and meld flavors.
- Finish Baking: Uncover the dish, baste the cabbage with the sauce, and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes to achieve a bubbly, golden finish.
- Rest and Garnish: Let the dish rest for 5 minutes out of the oven. Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese before serving for a fresh and savory touch.
Notes
- You can substitute vegetable broth and vegan cream cheese/Parmesan to make this recipe fully vegetarian or vegan.
- Keeping the cabbage core intact helps hold the wedges together during cooking for easier serving.
- Sun-dried tomatoes add a concentrated flavor, but fresh tomatoes can be used for a lighter taste.
- The dish can be made a day ahead and reheated gently before serving; add extra cream if sauce thickens upon storage.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to your heat preference or omit for a milder dish.
Keywords: creamy cabbage recipe, baked cabbage wedges, vegetarian comfort food, sun-dried tomatoes cabbage, cheesy cabbage dish