If you’re searching for a dish that feels like a warm, comforting hug and tastes like a celebration, you’ve got to try the Marry Me Melting Cabbage Recipe. This incredible recipe takes humble cabbage and transforms it into a luscious, creamy masterpiece with layers of sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and rich Parmesan. It’s so irresistibly tender and packed with flavor, it might just make you fall in love with cabbage all over again. Whether you’re cooking for a special occasion or craving cozy goodness on any day, this recipe always delivers a standout experience.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the ingredients for the Marry Me Melting Cabbage Recipe is a breeze, yet each one plays a vital role in creating the dish’s signature creamy and savory profile. From the vibrant sun-dried tomatoes to the aromatic herbs, every component works harmoniously to wow your taste buds and create that melt-in-your-mouth magic.
- Green cabbage (1 head, 900-1100 g): The star of the dish, offering crunch and a mild sweetness that soaks up the creamy sauce.
- Olive oil (3 tbsp, 45 ml): Adds depth and helps achieve a gorgeous golden sear on the cabbage.
- Butter (2 tbsp, 28 g): Brings richness and helps soften red onion beautifully.
- Red onion (½ cup, 75 g, finely diced): Imparts a gentle sweetness and delicate texture.
- Garlic (4 cloves, minced): Provides that fragrant punch that elevates every bite.
- Low-sodium chicken broth (1 cup, 240 ml): Essential for deglazing and building layers of flavor without overpowering the cabbage.
- Cream cheese (4 oz, 113 g, softened and cubed): Creates a rich, velvety sauce that clings to every wedge.
- Heavy cream (1 cup, 240 ml): Adds luxurious creaminess and smooth texture.
- Sun-dried tomatoes in oil (½ cup, 60 g, julienned): Delivers a burst of tangy sweetness and vibrant color.
- Dried oregano (1 tsp, 1 g): Offers an earthy herbal note that balances the dish.
- Dried thyme (1 tsp, 1 g): Enhances complexity with its subtle lemony aroma.
- Dried rosemary (½ tsp, 0.5 g): Adds a woody, aromatic depth.
- Table salt (1 tsp, 6 g): Brings out the natural flavors and seasons perfectly.
- Black pepper (½ tsp, 1 g): Gives just the right amount of spice and warmth.
- Red pepper flakes (1 tsp, optional): For a gentle heat that wakes up the palate without overpowering.
- Grated Parmesan cheese (½ cup, 45 g): Melts into the sauce adding savory umami and richness.
- Fresh parsley (chopped): A fresh, bright garnish that adds color and freshness to finish.
- Extra Parmesan: Optional, perfect for sprinkling on top when serving for an extra cheesy touch.
How to Make Marry Me Melting Cabbage Recipe
Step 1: Preparing the Cabbage Wedges
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C), then carefully cut the green cabbage into 8 wedges. It’s important to keep the core intact on each wedge so the cabbage holds together while cooking and retains its beautiful structure throughout the process.
Step 2: Searing the Cabbage
Heat olive oil in a large, oven-safe cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Sear each cabbage wedge for 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden and slightly caramelized. This step adds a lovable crispy texture and develops a deeper flavor that’s so important in this dish. Once seared, transfer the wedges to a plate and season them with salt and pepper.
Step 3: Building the Flavor Base
Reduce the pan heat to medium and add butter to the skillet. Toss in the finely diced red onion and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until softened and fragrant. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds—this short time is enough to release the garlicky goodness without burning, which can turn bitter.
Step 4: Creating the Creamy Sauce
Pour in low-sodium chicken broth to the skillet and deglaze the pan by scraping up all those delicious browned bits clinging to the bottom. This forms the flavor base of your sauce. Add the softened cream cheese next, whisking constantly until it’s melted into a smooth, creamy texture.
Step 5: Finishing the Sauce and Baking
Now stir in the heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes, dried oregano, thyme, rosemary, extra salt and pepper, and red pepper flakes if you’re using them. Simmer this mix gently for 2 to 3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken up just right. Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until fully melted and incorporated. Nestle your cabbage wedges back into the skillet, generously spoon sauce over each wedge.
Cover the skillet with foil or a lid and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. Once that’s done, remove the cover, baste the cabbage once more with the sauce, then bake uncovered for another 15 to 20 minutes until the cabbage is fork-tender and luxuriously soft.
Step 6: Resting and Garnishing
Let the Marry Me Melting Cabbage Recipe rest for 5 minutes before serving. A sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley and extra Parmesan on top adds the perfect final touch of freshness and an irresistible cheesy finish.
How to Serve Marry Me Melting Cabbage Recipe
Garnishes
Freshly chopped parsley is the perfect garnish for this dish, adding a lovely pop of green and a hint of herbal brightness. Don’t shy away from adding extra Parmesan cheese for that rich, salty finish that will make each bite even more decadent.
Side Dishes
This recipe is wonderfully rich and creamy, so pairing it with light, crisp sides can create a beautifully balanced meal. Think simple roasted chicken or grilled fish alongside a fresh crisp salad with a zesty vinaigrette. For a vegetarian twist, serve with garlic-roasted potatoes or crusty bread to soak up all that glorious sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
Presentation can make this dish feel truly special. Serve the cabbage wedges nestled closely in individual cast iron skillets or rustic ceramic dishes to hold all that creamy sauce. Drizzle a little extra sauce over the wedges just before serving and sprinkle your garnishes generously to invite your guests to dive right in.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you end up with leftovers (which is rare!), transfer any remaining cabbage wedges and sauce into an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, making it a convenient and delicious next-day meal.
Freezing
You can freeze the cabbage wedges and sauce separately in airtight containers for up to 2 months. This way, you preserve the fresh, vibrant flavors without compromising the texture. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
To reheat, warm the Marry Me Melting Cabbage Recipe gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of broth or cream if needed to loosen the sauce. Cover and allow it to heat through slowly, ensuring the cabbage stays tender and the sauce remains silky.
FAQs
Can I use other types of cabbage for this recipe?
Absolutely! While green cabbage is traditional here, savoy cabbage or even napa cabbage could work. Just keep in mind that texture and cooking time might vary slightly with different cabbage types.
Is there a vegetarian version of the Marry Me Melting Cabbage Recipe?
Yes! Simply swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth and make sure your Parmesan cheese is vegetarian-friendly. This keeps the dish just as flavorful and satisfying.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
It’s possible with some substitutions. Use dairy-free cream cheese and heavy cream alternatives, and replace Parmesan with a nutritional yeast topping for that cheesy flavor. The texture will be slightly different but still delicious!
How spicy is the optional red pepper flakes addition?
The red pepper flakes add a gentle kick but aren’t overwhelming. You can always adjust the quantity to your spice tolerance or leave it out entirely for a milder, creamier dish.
What makes this the ‘Marry Me’ Melting Cabbage Recipe?
The name comes from the dish’s incredible flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture that are so impressive and comforting, many say this could be the dish that inspires a lifetime promise. It’s rich, indulgent, and irresistibly good.
Final Thoughts
This Marry Me Melting Cabbage Recipe is one of those special dishes that brings people together around the table and creates happy memories with every bite. It’s rich but approachable, fancy yet easy to make — truly a heartwarming recipe that deserves a spot in your regular rotation. Give it a try, and watch how this glorious cabbage dish just might become your new favorite comfort food for years to come!
Print
Marry Me Melting Cabbage Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Salt
Description
Marry Me Melting Cabbage is a decadent and comforting baked cabbage dish where wedges of green cabbage are seared to golden perfection, then smothered in a rich, creamy sauce made with cream cheese, heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes, and aromatic herbs. Slow-baked until tender and infused with savory flavors, this dish makes a deliciously unique side or vegetarian main course.
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 1 head (900-1100 g) green cabbage cut into 8 wedges with core intact
- ½ cup (75 g) finely diced red onion
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- ½ cup (60 g) sun-dried tomatoes in oil julienned
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Fats & Oils
- 3 tbsps (45 ml) olive oil
- 2 tbsps (28 g) butter
Dairy
- 4 oz. (113 g) full-fat cream cheese softened and cubed
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- ½ cup (45 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- Extra Parmesan for serving to taste
Liquids
- 1 cup (240 ml) low-sodium chicken broth
Spices & Herbs
- 1 tsp (1 g) dried oregano leaves
- 1 tsp (1 g) dried thyme leaves
- ½ tsp (0.5 g) dried rosemary leaves
- 1 tsp (6 g) table salt
- ½ tsp (1 g) black pepper
- 1 tsp (1 g) red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) so it reaches the perfect temperature for baking the cabbage.
- Prepare the cabbage wedges: Cut the head of cabbage into 8 wedges, making sure to keep the core intact on each piece to help hold them together during cooking.
- Sear the cabbage: Heat olive oil in a 12-inch (30 cm) oven-safe cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Sear each cabbage wedge for 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden brown, working in batches if necessary to avoid crowding. Once seared, transfer the wedges to a plate and season them with salt and pepper.
- Cook the aromatics: Reduce the heat to medium, add butter to the skillet, and sauté the finely diced red onion for 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Deglaze the pan: Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet to infuse the dish with flavor.
- Melt the cream cheese: Add the cubed cream cheese to the skillet and whisk continuously until it melts completely and the mixture becomes smooth.
- Add remaining sauce ingredients: Stir in the heavy cream, julienned sun-dried tomatoes, dried oregano, thyme, rosemary, additional salt and pepper to taste, and red pepper flakes if using. Simmer the sauce gently for 2 to 3 minutes to allow it to thicken slightly, then remove from heat.
- Incorporate Parmesan cheese: Add the grated Parmesan cheese to the sauce, stirring until it melts fully and the sauce becomes creamy and cohesive.
- Combine cabbage and sauce: Nestle the seared cabbage wedges back into the skillet, spooning the creamy sauce evenly over the top of each wedge.
- Bake covered: Cover the skillet with foil or a lid and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, allowing the cabbage to cook through and absorb flavors.
- Bake uncovered: Remove the cover, baste the cabbage with the sauce again, and continue baking uncovered for an additional 15 to 20 minutes until the cabbage is fork-tender and the tops are slightly caramelized.
- Rest and garnish: Let the dish rest for 5 minutes out of the oven to settle. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and sprinkle extra Parmesan cheese before serving for added flavor and presentation.
Notes
- You can substitute vegetable broth for chicken broth to make the dish vegetarian.
- Keep the cabbage wedges intact with the core to prevent them from falling apart during cooking.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add fresh chili.
- Use an oven-safe skillet such as a cast iron to avoid transferring the cabbage and sauce before baking.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and gently reheated on the stovetop or in the oven.
