Description
Pioneer Woman Cabbage Casserole blends hearty Southern comfort with simple, rustic ingredients. Savory ground beef, tender cabbage, and a creamy sauce come together in one irresistible dish you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 head green cabbage
- 2 to 15 ounces processed cheese sauce or dip (e.g., Cheez Whiz)
- 1 cup grated pepper Jack cheese
- 1 jalapeno pepper, sliced into rounds with seeds removed
Dairy and Thickening Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) butter
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) milk
- 2 tablespoons (30 grams) all-purpose flour
Seasoning Ingredients:
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 grams) kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously coat a 9-by-9-inch (23-by-23-centimeter) baking dish with 1 tablespoon of butter to prevent sticking.
- Cleanse the cabbage and remove its tough central core. Slice the vegetable into four equal wedges. Fill a large pot with water, season with salt, and bring to a rolling boil. Submerge cabbage wedges for 1 to 2 minutes, ensuring a slight softening without complete cooking.
- Drain the cabbage thoroughly and arrange the wedges neatly in the prepared baking dish, creating an even layer.
- Craft the cheese sauce by melting 2 tablespoons of butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Introduce flour and whisk continuously for 1 to 2 minutes, preventing any scorching.
- Gradually incorporate milk into the butter-flour mixture, seasoning with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper. Stir consistently until the sauce thickens and becomes smooth.
- Remove the sauce from heat and fold in processed cheese sauce and pepper Jack cheese until fully integrated and velvety.
- Pour the cheese mixture evenly over the cabbage wedges, ensuring complete coverage. Distribute jalapeno rounds across the surface and dust with paprika for added flavor and visual appeal.
- Transfer the dish to the preheated oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes, or until the top turns golden and the sauce becomes delightfully bubbly.
Notes
- Broil briefly to achieve a crispy, golden-brown top that adds delightful texture and visual appeal.
- Pause after baking to let the casserole set, ensuring cleaner and more attractive serving slices.
- Modify jalapeño quantities to match your personal spice tolerance, from mild to fiery hot.
- Create a perfectly smooth cheese sauce by cooking until it smoothly coats a spoon without being too runny or thick.
- Remove excess moisture from parboiled cabbage to prevent a watery final dish.
- Cut cabbage wedges with precision, maintaining uniform sizes for consistent cooking throughout the casserole.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 322 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 575 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 11 g
- Cholesterol: 49 mg