Description
Hearty Cabbage Casserole showcases comfort cooking from American heartland kitchens with simple ingredients and rich flavors. Midwestern families cherish this nourishing dish that delivers satisfying warmth and wholesome goodness you can savor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 head green cabbage
- 2–15 oz processed cheese sauce or dip (Cheez Whiz)
- 1 cup grated pepper Jack cheese
- 3 tbsps (45 ml) butter
- 1 cup (240 ml) milk
- 2 tbsps (30 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 jalapeno pepper, sliced into rounds with seeds removed
- ½ tsp (2.5 g) kosher salt
- ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- ½ tsp paprika
Instructions
- Preheating and Preparation: Activate the oven to 350°F and lavishly grease a 9-by-9-inch baking dish with butter, creating a non-stick foundation for the culinary creation.
- Cabbage Processing: Meticulously cleanse the cabbage, extracting its rigid core. Divide into four symmetrical wedges. Immerse in salted boiling water for a brief 1-2 minute bath, achieving a tender yet structured texture without complete submersion.
- Sauce Crafting: In a medium skillet, melt butter and introduce flour, whisking vigilantly to prevent burning. Gradually stream milk into the roux, infusing with salt and pepper. Stir until the mixture transforms into a luxuriously smooth sauce. Incorporate processed cheese and pepper Jack, stirring until a homogeneous, creamy consistency emerges.
- Assembly and Baking: Arrange softened cabbage wedges in the prepared dish. Cascade the velvety cheese sauce over the vegetable landscape, ensuring comprehensive coverage. Embellish with jalapeno slices and a delicate paprika dusting. Slide into the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, allowing the top to caramelize and the sauce to bubble with tantalizing promise.
Notes
- Blanch with Precision: Briefly boil cabbage for 1-2 minutes to soften without overcooking, maintaining its crisp texture and vibrant color.
- Prevent Lumpy Sauce: Whisk flour and butter continuously to create a smooth roux, ensuring a silky cheese sauce without unwanted clumps.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Remove sauce from heat before adding cheeses to prevent separation and achieve a creamy, uniform consistency.
- Spice Level Control: Adjust jalapeno quantity to match your heat preference, creating a personalized spice experience for every palate.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg