Buttery Garlic Parmesan Baked Cabbage

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If you think cabbage is plain or boring, this Buttery Garlic Parmesan Baked Cabbage may change your mind. Thin slices of green cabbage bakes in layers of butter, fresh garlic, salt, and black pepper until they become tender and full of savory flavor. A little freshly grated Parmesan cheese finishes the dish and adds a rich, nutty flavor.

This easy vegetable side dish uses simple ingredients and very little prep work. Everything goes into one 9×13-inch casserole dish, so there is no standing over the stove. It is a delicious way to turn a humble head of cabbage into a warm, comforting side for your family’s dinner.

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Why You Will Love This Cabbage Recipe

• It is made with affordable, simple ingredients.
• Most of the cooking time is hands-off.
• The cabbage turns soft and buttery without becoming watery.
• Fresh garlic and Parmesan cheese add plenty of flavor.
• It is naturally a low-carb side dish.
• You only need one casserole dish, a cutting board, a knife, and a pair of tongs.

Even picky eaters may be surprised by how much they enjoy this tender cabbage. Cabbage sometimes gets a bad rap, but butter, garlic, and Parmesan bring out its sweeter flavor and add plenty of savory depth.

Ingredients

• 1 small head green cabbage, thinly sliced
• 1 stick butter, divided
• 2 teaspoons salt, divided
• 1 teaspoon black pepper, divided
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder, divided
• 6 cloves fresh garlic, chopped, diced, or minced
• Red pepper flakes, optional
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, to taste

I use salted butter because that is what I normally keep in my kitchen. You may use unsalted butter and adjust the salt to your taste. Freshly grated Parmesan gives you the best quality, flavor, and texture. It also melts better than many containers of pre-grated cheese.

How to Make Buttery Garlic Parmesan Baked Cabbage

1. Prepare the casserole dish

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Thinly slice half of the stick of butter, which is four tablespoons of butter. Spread the pieces evenly across the bottom of a 9×13-inch casserole dish.

Season the bottom of the pan evenly with 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and 1 teaspoon garlic powder.

2. Add the cabbage and garlic

Place the cabbage on a cutting board and remove any damaged outer leaves. Cut out the hard core, then thinly slice the cabbage. Place the sliced cabbage in the casserole dish over the butter and seasoning.

Chop, dice, or mince the six garlic cloves. Sprinkle the minced garlic evenly over the cabbage.

3. Add the remaining butter and seasoning

Thinly slice the other half of the butter and spread the pieces across the top of the cabbage. Season the top with the remaining 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and 1 teaspoon garlic powder.

If you enjoy a little heat, add a few red pepper flakes. Keep them light at first. You can always use more the next time.

4. Cover and bake

Cover the casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil. Place it in the preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes. The foil traps the steam and helps the cabbage become tender while the butter and seasonings work their way through every layer.

5. Toss and finish uncovered

Remove the dish from the oven and carefully take off the foil. Toss the cabbage well with tongs so the garlic butter coats all the pieces.

Return the cabbage to the oven uncovered and bake for another 15 minutes. This allows some of the liquid to cook away and gives the top a slight char in places. Because the cabbage is sliced and baked in a casserole dish instead of arranged in a single layer on a large baking sheet, it will be more tender than crisp. If you want more crispy edges or golden brown spots, broil it for one or two minutes at the end while watching it closely.

6. Add Parmesan and serve

Grate fresh Parmesan cheese over the hot cabbage and serve. The Parmesan melts into the garlic butter and gives the finished dish even more flavor.

What to Serve With Baked Cabbage

This cabbage side dish works well with many simple meals. Serve it with pork chops, roasted chicken, meatloaf, pot roast, sausage, or grilled steak. For a meatless meal, pair it with white beans and crusty bread.

You can also make the cabbage the base of a main dish by adding sliced smoked sausage or cooked chicken. The rich butter and Parmesan flavor make it easy to build a complete meal around it.

Helpful Tips and Variations

• Slice the cabbage thinly. Thick wedges and cabbage steaks need a different cooking time. Thin slices cook evenly and soak up more garlic butter.
• Use real fresh garlic. Garlic powder seasons the whole dish, while fresh garlic gives it a deeper flavor. Using both is the best way to get plenty of garlic flavor in every bite.
• Grate your own Parmesan. Fresh Parmesan melts smoothly and adds a nutty flavor. Pre-shredded cheese may not melt as evenly.
• Add herbs if you like. Sprinkle fresh parsley on top before serving, or add a small amount of Italian seasoning or onion powder with the other seasonings.
• Change the seasoning. A pinch of Cajun seasoning can add extra flavor and spice. Taste your seasoning blend first because it may already contain sea salt.
• Brighten the flavor. A small squeeze of lemon juice added just before serving can balance the richness of the butter and cheese.

Is This the Same as Roasted Cabbage Steaks?

This recipe is different from many garlic butter roasted cabbage recipes. Cabbage steaks or wedges of cabbage are often brushed with olive oil, arranged on parchment paper or a prepared baking sheet, and roasted at a higher temperature. As the cabbage roasts, the exposed surface develops crispy edges.

This recipe uses sliced green cabbage, butter, and a covered casserole dish. The result is soft, tender cabbage coated in buttery garlic flavor. You do not need olive oil, chicken broth, vegetable broth, soy sauce, a small bowl for mixing sauce, or an oven-safe skillet.

The melted butter, garlic, and natural moisture from the cabbage form a light coating in the bottom of the dish. It is not a thick Parmesan sauce, cream sauce, or creamy garlic sauce, but it does give the cabbage a rich flavor and almost creamy texture. Once the Parmesan melts over the top, every serving gets a little cheesy goodness.

How to Store and Reheat Leftover Cabbage

Allow leftover cabbage to cool, then place it in an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to three or four days.

Reheat it in a skillet over medium-high heat for a few minutes, stirring often. This helps cook away extra moisture and may give the cabbage a few browned edges. You can also warm it in the microwave or in a covered baking dish at 350°F.

The cabbage taste may be a little stronger the next day, which is normal for cooked cabbage. Add another sprinkle of Parmesan cheese or a small squeeze of lemon juice before serving if you would like to freshen the flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use red cabbage?

Yes, but red cabbage is firmer and may need additional baking time. It will also change the color of the dish and has a slightly different, earthier flavor than green cabbage.

Can I cut the cabbage into wedges?

Not without changing the baking time. Cabbage wedges and thick wedges cook more slowly than thin slices. For the tender texture in this recipe, thinly sliced cabbage works best.

Can I use olive oil instead of butter?

You can, but it will no longer have the same buttery flavor. Butter is an important part of this recipe and helps create the rich coating that makes the cabbage so good.

How do I make the edges crispier?

Spread the cooked cabbage onto a large baking sheet in a single layer and roast it briefly at a higher temperature, or broil the casserole for one or two minutes. Watch it carefully so the fresh garlic and Parmesan cheese do not burn.

Final Thoughts

This Buttery Garlic Parmesan Baked Cabbage is proof that humble cabbage does not need a long ingredient list to taste good. The butter makes it rich, the fresh garlic adds bold flavor, and the Parmesan brings everything together. It is an easy cabbage recipe for busy weeknights, Sunday dinners, or any meal that needs a warm and comforting vegetable on the side.

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