Healthy Recipes Ingredients Healthy Vegetable Recipes Healthy Cabbage Recipes Garlic-Parmesan Melting Cabbage 5.0 (6) 6 Reviews The tender cabbage in this easy recipe melts in your mouth and picks up the flavors of garlic, Parmesan cheese and a little spice from crushed red pepper as it simmers in a creamy broth in the oven. Serve this easy dish with roasted chicken or pork. By Julia Levy Julia Levy Julia Levy has been working in recipe publishing for almost a decade, but testing recipes for as long as she's been able to wield a spoon. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Updated on October 14, 2024 Tested by Amanda Stanfield Tested by Amanda Stanfield Amanda Stanfield is a Test Kitchen assistant in the Dotdash Meredith Food Studios. She completed her undergraduate degree in journalism and strategic communications at Hampton University. After graduation, Amanda worked in the nonprofit sector as a marketing associate for a global nonprofit organization. In 2018, she pivoted into the food industry and began training in fine-dining restaurants around Atlanta. Later she gained her culinary degree from Johnson & Wales University and went on to work in a variety of kitchens from boutique restaurants to conference hotels. As a true foodie, Amanda seeks out nutritious and unique flavors to inspire others to eat happily and healthfully. When she's not cooking up delicious recipes, you can find her lap swimming in the pool or watching a good sci-fi movie. Meet the EatingWell Test Kitchen Reviewed by Dietitian Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD Reviewed by Dietitian Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD Emily Lachtrupp is a registered dietitian experienced in nutritional counseling, recipe analysis and meal plans. She's worked with clients who struggle with diabetes, weight loss, digestive issues and more. In her spare time, you can find her enjoying all that Vermont has to offer with her family and her dog, Winston. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Save Rate PRINT Share Active Time: 20 mins Total Time: 1 hr 15 mins Servings: 8 Nutrition Profile: No Added Sugar Gut Healthy Sesame-Free Weight Loss Nut-Free Soy-Free High-Fiber Vegetarian Egg-Free Gluten-Free Jump to Nutrition Facts Jump to recipe This Garlic-Parmesan Melting Cabbage recipe will give even cabbage naysayers a run for their money. Using a classic braising technique, cabbage gets the royal treatment with a slow bake in a creamy onion, Parmesan and garlic gravy. Cabbage is rich in fiber, which is great for your heart, digestion and immune system. Read on to find out how to unlock the amazing flavors in this dish, including how to make the perfect sauce. Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! While 2 teaspoons of cornstarch might seem negligible, it’s important for this recipe because it works with the cream cheese to keep the sauce stable as it simmers in the oven.You can use Gruyère or Grana Padano cheese instead of Parmesan.Savoy cabbage is a good substitute for green cabbage. Nutrition Notes Cabbage, a cruciferous vegetable, is rich in fiber, which is great for digestive health. Cabbage also contains phytochemicals called glucosinolates, which can help reduce overall inflammation in the body. Fresh garlic may have a distinctive odor, but the sulfuric compounds are the reason for its heart-health and anti-inflammatory benefits. Parmesan cheese is a hard cheese, and these types of cheese have more bone-boosting calcium than soft cheeses because of their low water content. Parmesan also contains protein, which is important for muscle repair and growth. Parmesan cheese often contains animal rennet. If you're following a vegetarian diet, be sure to select vegetarian Parmesan cheese. Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel Cook Mode (Keep screen awake) Ingredients 1 (2¼-pound) head green cabbage, outermost leaves removed 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided ½ teaspoon salt, divided ½ teaspoon ground pepper, divided 1 cup thinly sliced yellow onion 4 large cloves garlic, thinly sliced (about 3 tablespoons) 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper 2 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese, softened 2 cups reduced-sodium no-chicken or vegetable broth 2 teaspoons cornstarch 2 teaspoons water 1 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese, divided Chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley for garnish (optional) Directions Preheat oven to 350°F. Slice cabbage in half through the stem end. Cut each half into 4 (2-inch) wedges, keeping the stem and core intact. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large cast-iron or other heavy ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add 4 cabbage wedges; cook until deeply browned on both sides, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate; sprinkle both sides evenly with ⅛ teaspoon each salt and pepper. Repeat with 1 tablespoon oil, the remaining cabbage wedges and ⅛ teaspoon each salt and pepper. Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel Reduce heat to medium; add the remaining 2 tablespoons oil, 1 cup onion, sliced garlic, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning and ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper. Cook, stirring often, until the onion starts to soften and brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Add 2 ounces cream cheese; cook, stirring constantly, until melted and creamy, about 1 minute. Stir in 2 cups broth and the remaining ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper; cook, stirring occasionally, until boiling. Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel Stir 2 teaspoons each cornstarch and water together in a small bowl until smooth; whisk into the mixture in the pan. Remove from heat; whisk in ½ cup Parmesan until melted. Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel Return the cabbage wedges to the pan, overlapping them if necessary. Bake, turning once, until the cabbage is very soft and the sauce has reduced and thickened, about 50 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes. Sprinkle the cabbage wedges with the remaining ½ cup Parmesan. Garnish with parsley, if desired. Frequently Asked Questions Can melting cabbage be made ahead of time? Absolutely. If you have room in your refrigerator, just store it in the (cooled) cast-iron skillet and cover it with foil. You can also transfer it to an airtight container. It should be good refrigerated for up to 1 week. When ready to serve, gently reheat it in a 300°F oven for about 40 minutes. What’s the best way to cut cabbage? First, remove any wilting or discolored leaves. Cut the cabbage in half lengthwise through the stem end, then cut each half into 4 wedges. Keeping the core intact will help prevent the cabbage from falling apart during cooking. What should I serve with melting cabbage? Melting cabbage is a perfect side dish for roasted chicken or pork. Try pairing it with our Crispy Roast Chicken, a whole roasted chicken that makes fabulous next-day sandwiches, or our Lemon-Herb Roasted Chicken made with boneless, skinless chicken breasts. If you want to pair the cabbage with a succulent pork recipe, try our Oven-Roasted Pork or Apple-&-Fennel Roasted Pork Tenderloin. Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel EatingWell.com, September 2024 Rate It Print Nutrition Facts (per serving) 182 Calories 12g Fat 14g Carbs 6g Protein Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label Nutrition Facts Servings Per Recipe 8 Serving Size 1 wedge Calories 182 % Daily Value * Total Carbohydrate 14g 5% Dietary Fiber 4g 13% Total Sugars 6g Protein 6g 13% Total Fat 12g 16% Saturated Fat 4g 19% Cholesterol 16mg 5% Vitamin A 151µg Vitamin C 44mg 49% Vitamin D 0µg Vitamin E 1mg 10% Folate 56µg Vitamin K 95µg Sodium 443mg 19% Calcium 180mg 14% Iron 1mg 5% Magnesium 27mg 6% Potassium 319mg 7% Zinc 1mg 8% Vitamin B12 0µg Omega 3 0g Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate. * Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.) (-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs. Additional reporting by Sarah Pflugradt, Ph.D., RDN, CSCS Sarah Pflugradt, Ph.D., RDN, CSCS Sarah Pflugradt is a registered dietitian who holds a Ph.D. in Health and Human Performance and is a certified strength and conditioning specialist. Her extensive background in dietetics has made her a sought-after expert in family and youth sports nutrition. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines and Linda Frahm Linda Frahm Linda Frahm has been a copy editor and fact checker working with food and nutrition content for the past 30-plus years for consumer print and online publications, such as Cook’s Illustrated and Cook’s Country magazines, and has edited cookbooks for Dovetail Press and The Taste Curators. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines