Ah, there’s nothing quite like a cozy meal that wraps you up like a warm blanket on a chilly evening—like a hug in a dish, if you will. This Cheesy Sausage and Cabbage Bake is a symphony of flavors, a celebration of savory goodness that somehow manages to be both incredibly simple and wildly comforting. I stumbled upon this recipe while scrolling through a food blog during a particularly dreary afternoon, and let me tell you, it was love at first bite.
Steps
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Heat olive oil in a 15-inch oven-safe skillet over medium heat, then add the sliced sausage and cook until each side is browned, about 2-3 minutes per side.
- Incorporate the sliced cabbage and broccoli florets into the skillet with the sausage. Stir the vegetables and sausage together, then remove the skillet from heat.
- To make the cheese sauce, melt heavy cream, butter, and cream cheese in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in garlic powder, paprika, salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes, then reduce the heat to low.
- Gradually stir in the shredded sharp white cheddar cheese until it’s fully melted and the sauce is smooth. Pour this cheese sauce over the sausage, cabbage, and broccoli mixture in the skillet, ensuring even coverage.
- Sprinkle shredded Gruyere cheese on top of the mixture. Cover the skillet with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, until the dish is cooked through and the cheese on top is golden brown.
- Once baked, remove the skillet from the oven and let it cool slightly. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 ring (14 ounces) smoked sausage or kielbasa, cut into ¼-inch rounds
- 1 medium head green cabbage, core removed, sliced into thin rings, then halved
- 1 small head broccoli, cut into small florets (about 2½ cups)
- 1 cup (238 g) heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 ounces cream cheese
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 cups (226 g) sharp white cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup (113 g) Gruyere cheese, shredded
- Parsley, for garnish
FAQ
- Can I use a different type of sausage in this recipe?
- Absolutely! While the recipe uses smoked sausage, you can substitute it with other varieties like kielbasa, Andouille sausage, or Mexican chorizo.
- Do I need to use an oven-safe skillet for this dish?
- No, it’s not necessary. If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, you can brown the sausage in a standard skillet and then transfer the mixture to a 9×13-inch baking dish before adding the cheese sauce and baking it.
- How should I store leftovers of the Cheesy Sausage Cabbage and Broccoli Bake?
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. This way, you can enjoy the dish over the next few days.
- Can I omit the broccoli from the recipe?
- Yes, you can leave out the broccoli if you prefer or if you don’t have any available. The dish will still be delicious without it.
- How do I prepare the cabbage to resemble noodles?
- To mimic noodles, cut the cabbage into long strips. First, remove the core, then slice the cabbage into rings about 1/4 inch thick and cut the rings in half to create your ‘cabbage noodles’.
Tips
- Prep in Advance: To save time when cooking, you can slice the cabbage into long strips a couple of days ahead. Store it in a sealed container in the fridge until you’re ready to use it.
- Pan Alternatives: If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, you can use a regular skillet to brown the sausage and mix in the vegetables. Then, transfer everything to a 9×13-inch baking dish before adding the cheese sauce and Gruyere topping.
- Storage Suggestions: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days, allowing you to enjoy this dish later with minimal effort.
- Custom Sausage Options: Feel free to experiment with different types of sausages like kielbasa, Andouille, or Mexican Chorizo to customize the flavor to your preference.
Equipment
- 15-inch Oven-Safe Skillet (e.g., Cast-Iron Skillet) – If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, this is crucial for both stovetop cooking and baking.
- Medium Saucepan – For making the cheese sauce separately.
- Whisk – Useful for blending the cheese sauce ingredients smoothly.
- 9×13-inch Baking Dish – If you opt to use an alternative to the skillet for baking.
- Chef’s Knife – For cutting the cabbage, broccoli, and sausage.
- Cutting Board – Necessary for preparing the vegetables and sausage.
