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    Home » Side Dishes » Creamy, Cheesy Southern Cabbage Casserole

    Creamy, Cheesy Southern Cabbage Casserole

    Published: Nov 15, 2021 by Anne Clark · This post may contain affiliate links · 33 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    cabbage casserole on blue plate
    cabbage casserole on blue plate
    Cabbage Casserole on blue plate with fork
    baked casserole on blue plate
    cabbage casserole on blue plate

    This easy cabbage casserole with Ritz Crackers is an excellent vegetable side dish.  Chopped cabbage is baked in a simple, creamy cheese sauce and topped with crushed Ritz crackers and cheddar cheese.  This is a great holiday side dish for a large gathering.   

    baked casserole in a white oblong dish with one serving removed and wooden spoon sitting on top of casserole
    Cabbage Casserole with Cheesy Ritz Cracker Topping

    When I told my husband I was making a cabbage casserole, he cringed.  He isn't a fan of cabbage, which I honestly don't understand.  I am a huge fan of this cruciferous superstar, and I love it whether it's smothered with bacon or in a dreamy casserole like this recipe! 

    Need an easy make-ahead dessert? You should totally try my moist and delicious Lemon Poppy Seed Cupcakes! Homemade cupcakes with lemon butter icing (yum).

    Jump to:
    • Why This Recipe Works
    • Ingredients
    • How to Make It
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Expert Tips
    • More Side Dish Recipes to Explore
    • Recipe
    • Comments

    Why This Recipe Works

    I love how simple this dish is to assemble, especially considering all of the little store-bought "cheats" that make it extra fast.

    This cabbage casserole recipe is an easy throw-together simple vegetable side dish that promises to make any occasion special. 

    Since cabbage is always available at your grocery store or farmer's market, this is one of my staple casserole recipes. We love to eat it at Church potlucks, for Sunday suppers and it almost inevitably makes its way onto our Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter spreads.  

    Ingredients

    Basic ingredients are all that's needed to put together this Southern Cabbage Casserole with Ritz Crackers Topping!

    ingredients measured out in silver bowls on countertop

    Cabbage - one small head of cabbage is all you need.  Believe me, once chopped, it's a lot of cabbage!

    Canned cream of mushroom soup and mayonnaise - mixed together for a super creamy sauce that clings to all the cabbage pieces perfectly with almost no effort.

    Chopped white onion - I prefer to finely mince the onion for this recipe.  If you prefer larger bits of onion, that'll work, too.

    You likely already have some of the ingredients on hand such as salt, pepper, cayenne, and butter (butter is the most expensive ingredient for this recipe!).

    Crushed Ritz crackers and grated cheese - add a wonderfully crunchy texture that is ubiquitous on any Southern casserole. 

    How to Make It

    photo collage of step by step directions

    (1) Rinse the head of cabbage under cool water first.  Chop the cabbage into 1-inch squares or strips.  Discard the hard core and end piece.  Read Expert Tips Below.  Place cabbage and onion into a large casserole dish.  Add the chopped onion. Pour half a stick of melted butter over the cabbage. Mix well.

    (2) Mix the soup, mayonnaise, salt, pepper, and cayenne in a bowl.  The cream of mushroom soup mixed with mayonnaise creates a super smooth, velvety texture.  Then pour into the casserole dish and mix well with the cabbage. 

    (3) Mix the crushed crackers with the cheese and spread them on top of the casserole. 

    (4) Pour remaining melted butter on top of the cracker-cheese mixture.  The cheesy cracker topping gives it that special final touch.  Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How Long Will a Head of Cabbage Last in the Fridge?

    Once you get the head of cabbage home from the store, keep it wrapped in the original plastic. Place in your crisper compartment in your fridge. It should stay fresh for a week (possibly 2 weeks but I recommend using it within a week of buying it)

    Can I add ground beef to this casserole?

    There are many cabbage casserole recipes that call for cooked ground beef.  So, if you're interested in a more hearty cabbage casserole that's also a meal, add 1 pound cooked and drained ground beef (or sausage) to the casserole before baking. I would also suggest adding ½ cup beef broth to ensure the casserole doesn't get dry from the beef.  Bake as directed.

    Can I make this cabbage casserole ahead of time?

    You sure can! If you are making this a day ahead of time, go ahead mix all the ingredients (steps 1-5 of the recipe card below).  But be sure to reserve the cracker and cheese topping until you are ready to bake it. 

    What Goes with Cabbage Casserole?

    Sausage is a great main entree to serve with cabbage.  Try my easy Brats in the Oven recipe.  Super easy sheet pan recipe!  It also goes well with ham, turkey, and salmon!  

    Expert Tips

    The cabbage will have a slight crunch after baking is complete.  If you like a softer cabbage texture, pan fry the cabbage for 5-8 minutes before proceeding to the next step.

    If you're feeling pressed for time, you can absolutely use a few bags of shredded cabbage* and frozen chopped onions.

    *Just know that the smaller pieces of cabbage will slightly change the consistency of the final dish and will cook more quickly than their chopped counterparts.

    Store any leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I prefer to use BPA-free glass containers with locking lids.  Check out this 18-piece set of glass food storage containers with locking lids from Bayco, available now on Amazon.

    baked casserole in a white oblong dish with wooden serving spoon on the side

    More Side Dish Recipes to Explore

    • Southern Baked Beans
    • Homemade Cornbread Dressing
    • Easy and Delicious Spinach Parmesan Casserole
    • Keto Squash Casserole

    This post was originally published in November 2020 and was updated in November 2021.

    If you tried this absolutely delicious cabbage casserole with Ritz crackers, please comment and rate it below so I know how it turned out. I love hearing from you!

    Also, let’s be social!  Follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter to get more delicious recipe ideas in your feed. 

    If you'd like more simple and easy recipe inspiration delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for my email newsletter.

    Recipe

    casserole on blue plate with fork

    Creamy Cheesy Cabbage Casserole with Ritz Crackers

    Cabbage casserole with a creamy sauce and cheesy cracker topping. This cabbage casserole recipe is perfect for any large get together and is a great side dish. Goes great with ham and turkey! 
    4.62 from 39 votes
    Print Pin For Later Rate
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 35 minutes
    Total Time: 50 minutes
    Servings: 10
    Calories: 223kcal
    Author: Anne Clark

    Ingredients

    • 1 head cabbage, chopped into 1-inch squares or strips See Recipe Note
    • 1 stick butter, halved, melted
    • 1 onion, finely chopped (about 1 cup) See Recipe Note
    • 1 10.5 oz can cream of mushroom soup
    • ½ cup mayonnaise
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon pepper
    • dash of cayenne, optional
    • 1 cup shredded cheddar
    • 1 sleeve ritz crackers, roughly crushed (not too fine, you want bits and pieces of crackers)

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350F.
    • Rinse head of cabbage under cool water first.  Chop the cabbage into 1-inch squares or strips.  Discard the hard core and end piece.  READ RECIPE NOTES (A & B) BELOW.
    • Place cabbage and chopped onion into a large casserole dish (9 x 13).  Pour half a stick of melted butter over the cabbage. Mix well.
    • Mix the soup, mayonnaise, salt, pepper, and cayenne in a bowl.  A whisk works well for this.
    • Pour into the casserole dish and mix well with the cabbage.
    • Mix the crushed crackers and cheese and pour on top of the soup mixture.
    • Drizzle the remaining ½ stick melted butter on top of the cracker and cheese mixture.  Bake at 350F for 30-40 minutes or until the cracker topping is crispy browned.

    Notes

    (A)  If you like cabbage crispy and crunchy, then don't pre-cook the cabbage.  If you like it soft and tender, then pre-cook it before putting the casserole together.  You can boil the chopped cabbage or pan fry for about 5-8 minutes. Thoroughly drain.  Then, proceed with the recipe directions.  (B) If you finely chop the onion (i.e., mince it), you don't need to saute it first. I like to mince the onion, but some people prefer larger pieces of onion, in that case, consider cooking the onion in a skillet or microwave to soften it up.  (C) Store cooked cabbage casserole in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @mykitchenserenity or tag #mykitchenserenity on Instagram!!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 4.7oz | Calories: 223kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 17mg | Sodium: 349mg | Potassium: 203mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 213IU | Vitamin C: 34mg | Calcium: 145mg | Iron: 1mg

    Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy to my readers. I'm not a nutritionist and I don't guarantee the accuracy of this data. The data may differ according to the brands I used versus the brands you use. To calculate the data yourself using your brands, try using an online nutrition calculator or app.

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    About Anne Clark

    Hi! I'm Anne, the founder and content creator at My Kitchen Serenity, a food blog focused on serving the needs of busy moms and dads who are looking for easy and delicious recipes for the family.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Paul and Natalie Steele

      April 21, 2021 at 4:27 pm

      Added 1/8 teaspoon of nutmeg. allspice and cloves, wow so tasty.

      Reply
      • MyKitchenSerenity

        April 21, 2021 at 4:45 pm

        Thanks for the additions. Sounds good! Glad you enjoyed the casserole!

        Reply
    2. Carrie Chastain-Little

      May 23, 2021 at 9:46 am

      4 stars
      Do you have another soup suggestion for people who don’t like mushrooms?

      Reply
      • MyKitchenSerenity

        May 23, 2021 at 9:53 am

        Hi Carrie. Thanks for your question. You can use cream of chicken soup as a substitute.

        Reply
        • Kathy

          January 24, 2023 at 7:09 pm

          I used cream of onion because that’s all I had. It was tasty!

          Reply
          • Anne Clark

            January 24, 2023 at 8:27 pm

            Sounds great, Kathy! I’ll have to remember that next time I make it 🙂

            Reply
      • Debbie

        January 02, 2023 at 5:39 pm

        I did not like the crunchy taste of this dish. I would like it better soft. Was really hoping to like this!!

        Reply
        • Anne Clark

          January 02, 2023 at 6:18 pm

          I'm sorry it did not work for you, Debbie. For softer cabbage, did you pre-cook the cabbage as mentioned in the recipe card? The recipe states to boil or pan fry the cabbage first if softer cabbage is preferred.

          Reply
    3. Dotty Nix

      January 11, 2023 at 8:50 pm

      We liked this cabbage casserole recipe very much. If you don’t like cabbage, you will still like this casserole! Very easy and very tasty!

      Reply
      • Anne Clark

        January 11, 2023 at 9:04 pm

        Thank you, Dotty! I’m glad you liked it. It’s easy to like it, right 🙂

        Reply
    4. Dawn

      January 18, 2023 at 6:25 pm

      5 stars
      I never heard of cabbage casserole until my new husband mentioned it. Delicious & low carb! Will definitely make more.

      Reply
      • Anne Clark

        January 18, 2023 at 7:03 pm

        Thanks, Dawn 🙂 I’m glad y’all liked it!

        Reply
    5. Deborah

      March 13, 2023 at 5:06 pm

      5 stars
      We loved it. My husband is big ground sausage guy (like Bob Evans), browned first, added to cabbage mix. I also added dry dill weed to sauce...dill is good with cabbage!

      Reply
      • Anne Clark

        March 13, 2023 at 7:19 pm

        Hi Deborah. I love your suggestion of adding ground sausage and dill! My husband loves sausage too so I’ll try that next time. Thank you so much for leaving a comment. I’m glad y’all liked the recipe 🙂

        Reply
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    Hi. I’m Anne and I’m happy to share with you my easy, family-friendly recipes. I’ve been cooking for my family for 30 years, and what I’ve learned is that most busy families appreciate easy homemade meals. Now that the kids are grown, my passion is creating and sharing flavorful food for you and your family to enjoy as well. If you have any questions, feel free to email me at [email protected] 

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