Scalloped Cabbage

My scalloped cabbage transforms the humble veggie into a sophisticated savory side dish spectacular, y'all!! Freshly sliced cabbage soften and brown down with the Cajun trinity, garlic and spices. When the veggies are ready, an easy homemade two-cheese sauce is stirred into the skillet. For the finale, the casserole is transferred from the stove to the oven for a quick bake and top with Cajun crackers for the perfect balance of creamy and crunchy. Yep and yay...

Scalloped Cabbage is the perfect dish for impressing guests with something a little extraordinary on the side.

There's a Time and a Place For it All, Y'all...

Cabbage is one of my very favorite foods. And, I usually eat it smothered down with chicken and sausage. I was raised on this one-pot meal. And I love it so much that I sometimes dream that I'm eating it. Yep.

But, I'm all about all things cheesy deliciousness too, y'all. So, when I started craving my favorite veggie this time, I wanted something all cabbage cheesy new. 

And, after some back and forth, I created this brand new south Louisiana-style scalloped cabbage. My smothered cabbage is homey and down-to-earth. So, I'm used to those all-the-way-down-to-your-toes comfort of it.

However, this spin on the beloved southern holiday side dish is a bit different. Yep. It has super complex flavors, y'all. It's like smothered cabbage got dressed up in a little black dress and went out on the town with bells on. Indeed!

This Cajun scalloped cabbage has smoky, cheesy flavors that are unique to this dish. They're electrifying at first, but tone down after you cool off the casserole and chill it overnight in the fridge. And the cabbage consistency... It's surpisingly almost meaty, something you'll definitely have to experience for yourself.

Oh, and the crumbled Cajun crackers on top. They lend the perfect background crunch to the dish. You know, a last little finish that really puts this already incredibly flavorful and substantial dish over the top. Honest!

How to Make Scalloped Cabbage

Start the scalloped cabbage by preheating the oven. Slice the cabbage. Then, chop the trinity veggies and gather the other ingredients. 

Chopped cabbage, the Cajun trinity veggies, garlic, butter, tapioca flour, cheese, milk, spices and gluten free chicken broth.

Now, get the butter and trinity going in the deep cast iron skillet or large baking pan: 

Of course, the Cajun trinity is the first thing to go down in the skillet.

And when the veggies are about halfway-browned: 

Now the skillet is ready to add more ingredients.

Add the cabbage in batches, along with the garlic, broth and spices: 

The cabbage now goes into the skillet with the veggies to cook down til tender.

Then, cover and brown, stirring often: 

Now all of the veggies are soft and browned and ready for the cheese sauce.

While the veggies are browning, add the tapioca flour and the butter to a separate saucepan:

While the cabbage is cooking down in the skillet, it's time to make the cheese sauce.

Then, stir constantly until combined: 

Once the butter and starch comes together, the milk and cheeses are added in to melt.

Next, add the milk and cheeses and let it melt almost all of the way like this: 

The cheese sauce is a bit thin in the saucepan but thickens as the casserole bakes in the oven.

Remove the skillet from heat. And, pour the cheese sauce into the pan. Now, really get in there and stir until the mixture is very well combined: 

Stirring the cheese into the cabbage and veggies thoroughly helps the Scalloped cabbage casserole bake more evenly.

Then, slide the hot skillet carefully into the oven and bake: 

Now the scalloped cabbage casserole is ready to go into the oven.

Now, slide it out when almost baked:

You're just one step away from finishing off this scalloped cabbage casserole.

Then, sprinkle the Cajun crackers crumbs on top and bake for 5 additional minutes: 

Sprinkling the Cajun cracker crumbs over the casserole at the last minute gives it even more delicious flavor and texture.

And that's it, y'all!

This scalloped cabbage casserole is the perfect Sunday family meal or holiday side dish. It's got a signature cheese, smoky, meaty taste that you'll likely never had anywhere else. It's soooo filling. And best of all, it feeds a crowd of at least six people.

Also, it keeps well in the fridge overnight. So, it's definitely a make-ahead recipe to bookmark for year-round events. Yep. 

Share this scalloped cabbage with those who always have a time and a place for you in their lives. And see y'all on the yum side...

Main Dish Pairing Suggestions

Louisiana Garlic Stuffed Beef Roast

Creole Baked Rump Roast

Scalloped Cabbage

Cajun-style softened cabbage baked with a pepper Jack/cheddar sauce creates a smoky, sophisticated side dish for family or special events meals.

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Dish/Holiday

Cuisine: American/Cajun

Keyword: escalloped cabbage, scalloped cabbage, scalloped cabbage casserole

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour hour

Servings: 6 people

Author: Lyn Corinne Liner

Ingredients

For the Scalloped Cabbage

• 3 tablespoons butter or oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 2 ribs celery, trimmed and chopped
• 9 cups cabbage, sliced or chopped
• 1 cup gluten free chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• ½ teaspoon dried paprika
• 1 teaspoon parsley
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• salt, black pepper and cayenne pepper to taste
• ½ cup plain cracker crumbs or Cajun cracker crumbs

For the Cheese Sauce

• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon tapioca flour
• 2 cups half n half or milk
• 2 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 ½ cups shredded pepper Jack cheese

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Melt the butter or oil in a 12-inch cast iron skillet over medium heat.
• Add the Cajun trinity of onion, bell pepper and celery to the pan.
• Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring often, or until the vegetables begin to brown.
• Add about ⅓ of the gluten free chicken broth to the skillet.
• Place about half of the chopped cabbage in the pan.
• Cover and cook down for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring often.
• Add the remaining gluten free chicken broth and chopped cabbage to the pan.
• Top with the minced garlic, dried paprika, garlic powder, dried parsley flakes, and salt, black pepper and cayenne pepper to taste.
• Keep the cabbage covered, stirring often, until it gets really begins to brown, about 10 to 15 minutes. While the cabbage is smothering down, make the cheese sauce.
• In a separate saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
• Add the tapioca flour and mix well until incorporated. Let cook for about 1 minute or until the flour and butter are very well combined.
• Add the milk and cheeses, and cook until cheese almost fully melts into the milk. It will be soupy.
• Remove the cabbage and veggies from heat.
• Pour the cheese sauce over the cabbage and vegetables. Keep stirring until the scalloped cabbage mixture and cheese sauce is fully incorporated.
• Slide into the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the top begins to brown.
• Sprinkle the crushed gluten free crackers or gluten free Cajun crackers over the top of the casserole.
• Bake for an additional 5 minutes, then remove from heat.
• Let sit for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

The scalloped cabbage keeps well overnight. If you want to serve it the next day, cook it in an enameled cast iron skillet or Dutch oven or ceramic baking dish. Do not use a regular cast iron skillet or Dutch oven or the casserole may strip the seasoning. You also do not want to refrigerate regular cast iron or you will get white bumps along the bottom that you might not be able to get rid with normal care.

This recipe has a deep smoky flavor that's pretty strong and profound when you first make the dish. The smokiness subsides a good deal after an overnight trip in the fridge, so this is a great make-ahead dish for you if you'd prefer a milder smoky flavor in this casserole. 

Here's the direct link to my Cajun crackers recipe for the topping: https://asprinklingofcayenne.com/wprm_print/18919

Click here to follow on Instagram @asprinklingofcayenne

The information shown is an estimate provided by a third-party, online computer-generated nutrition calculator, not a registered dietitian or certified nutritionist. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods and individual portion sizes, along with other factors.

See our full nutrition disclaimer here.