This Baked Cabbage Parmesan combines tender roasted cabbage steaks with a savory sausage tomato sauce and a golden, bubbly cheese topping. This low-carb dish is hearty, comforting, and packed with flavor.
Whether you’re looking for a healthy weeknight meal or a unique side dish, Cabbage Parmesan is the perfect choice to satisfy your cravings.
Why You Should Make This Baked Cabbage Parmesan
- Low-Carb: If you’re looking to enjoy a cheesy, hearty dish without the extra carbs, Baked Cabbage Parmesan is the perfect choice. It offers a flavorful, wholesome alternative to traditional carb-heavy meals.
- Rich and Flavorful Sauce: The combination of browned hot Italian sausage, garlic, and tomatoes creates a deeply savory sauce that pairs beautifully with the tender cabbage steaks.
- Simple and Budget-Friendly Ingredients: This cabbage recipe uses everyday ingredients that are affordable and easy to find, making it perfect for any budget-conscious cook.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: Baked Cabbage Parmesan reheats beautifully. So, you can make it ahead of time and enjoy it for days. This cabbage recipe is a great option for busy weeknights or meal prepping.
Ingredients
- Cabbage: Napa cabbage or Savoy cabbage can be used as substitutes, for a milder flavor.
- Hot Italian sausage: Substitute with ground beef, turkey, chicken, or a meat alternative.
- Garlic cloves: Substitute with a teaspoon garlic powder, if fresh garlic is unavailable.
- Diced tomatoes: Crushed tomatoes, fresh diced tomatoes or halved cherry tomatoes can be used in replacement of canned.
- Crushed red pepper flakes: Omit for less heat, or use cayenne pepper.
- Olive oil: Melted butter is a great substitute.
- Fresh basil: Use dried basil, Italian seasonings, or fresh parsley.
- Mozzarella cheese: Provolone or Monterey Jack cheese are great substitutes.
- Parmesan cheese: Pecorino Romano or Asiago cheese will also work in this Baked Cabbage Parmesan recipe.
How to Make Baked Cabbage Parmesan
- Start browning the hot Italian sausage in a pan over medium heat. Crumble the sausage as it is browning.
- While the sausage is browning, remove the outer layers of the cabbage and slice it into 1-inch thick steaks, keeping the core intact.
- Once the sausage is fully cooked, add the minced garlic and cook for another minute.
- Stir in the diced tomatoes. Season with salt and crushed red pepper flakes. Simmer on low.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Brush both sides of the cabbage steaks with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Heat a cast iron or non-stick pan to medium-high and sear the cabbage steaks on both sides until golden brown.
- Place the seared cabbage steaks onto a baking pan.
- Top each cabbage steak with the sausage tomato sauce.
- Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top, followed by shredded mozzarella.
- Bake uncovered for 15-20 minutes.
- Broil for 2-3 minutes at the end to brown the cheese.
- Serve drizzled with a touch of olive oil and garnished with fresh torn basil.
Alternative Roasting Method
If you prefer to roast the cabbage instead of searing it, here’s how you could adjust the method and finish the dish:
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Slice the cabbage into 1-inch thick steaks, keeping the core intact to hold them together.
- Arrange the cabbage steaks on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Brush both sides generously with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Bake the cabbage steaks for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are tender and slightly caramelized.
- Proceed with same instructions above to top and bake the cabbage.
How to Serve and Store
- Serve this Baked Cabbage Parmesan as a main dish with a light side salad. For a heartier meal, pair it with a crusty loaf of garlic bread and/or a side of pasta or homemade mashed potato.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in the oven at 400°F (200°C), until warmed through.
More Cabbage Recipes to Love
- Spicy Cabbage and Rice Soup
- Cabbage Rolls Halupki
- Haluski Cabbage and Noodles
- Corned Beef and Cabbage
- German Braised Red Cabbage
Baked Cabbage Parmesan
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This Baked Cabbage Parmesan recipe is a flavorful, cheesy dish that’s easy to make, low-carb, and utterly satisfying.
Ingredients
- 1 medium-to-large head green cabbage
- 12 ounces hot Italian sausage
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon salt, divided
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for drizzling
- 6 torn fresh basil leaves, plus more for garnish
- 6 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
Instructions
- Start browning the hot Italian sausage in a pan over medium heat. Break apart as it is browning.
- While the sausage is browning, remove the outer layers of the cabbage and slice it into one-inch thick steaks, keeping the core intact.
- Once the sausage is fully cooked, add the minced garlic and cook for another minute.
- Stir in the diced tomatoes. Season with 1/4 teaspoon of salt and crushed red pepper flakes. Simmer on low.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Brush both sides of the cabbage steaks with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Heat a cast iron or non-stick pan to medium-high and sear the cabbage steaks on both sides until golden brown.
- Place the seared cabbage steaks onto a baking pan.
- Top each cabbage steak with the sausage tomato sauce (use all of the sauce).
- Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top, followed by shredded mozzarella.
- Bake uncovered for 15-20 minutes.
- Broil for 2-3 minutes at the end to brown the cheese.
- Serve drizzled with a touch of olive oil and garnished with fresh torn basil.
- ENJOY!
Equipment
Large, Non-Stick Baking Sheet (18×13)
Buy Now →Notes
- Remove the outer leaves of the cabbage.
- You should be able to get four cabbage steaks from a medium to large head.
- Keep the core on the cabbage as you slice. This will help to keep the leaves in tact.
- Some outer cabbage leaves may fall off while searing. Easily, rearrange them around the cabbage in the baking pan.
- For the sausage, use three links with the casings removed, or the equivalent in ground.
- Easily replace the hot Italian sausage with ground beef, ground chicken, ground turkey, or a meat alternative.
- For a vegetarian version of this Cabbage Parmesan, use a tomato-based sauce.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 30
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Moderate
- Cuisine: American
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WELCOME! My name is Melissa Latin aka. Charlotte Fashion Plate. Happy to meet you! I am more than just recipes. I love fashion and style too! Most importantly, I love my Family (my Hubby and my Fur Babies). My Husband (aka my “Kitchen Bitch”) means the world to me. He’s pretty damn cool too. Not only is he one of the nicest guys you will ever meet, he also has had a lengthy career in professional hockey. Not only winning two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the early ’90’s, but most recently winning the Calder Cup with the Charlotte Checkers, amongst many other accolades. If you live in Charlotte and play hockey, or have a family member who plays, be sure to contact him!
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