Easy Cabbage and Bacon Gratin Recipe – Baked Cabbage Casserole

This cheesy cabbage and bacon gratin is the kind of recipe that turns a humble head of cabbage into something rich, creamy, and genuinely crave-worthy.

With crispy bacon, tender caramelized cabbage, and a bubbling cheesy top, it works beautifully as a comforting side dish or an easy low-carb dinner.

If you’ve ever wondered how to make cabbage taste like real comfort food, this is the recipe to try.

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Cabbage and bacon gratin is one of those recipes that feels far more indulgent than the ingredient list suggests. The cabbage softens into sweet, savory layers, the bacon adds smoky depth, and the creamy cheese topping turns golden and irresistible in the oven.

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As it bakes, the edges turn crisp, the center stays creamy, and the whole dish takes on that golden, bubbling top that makes gratins so hard to resist. It’s simple, affordable, and exactly the kind of recipe people go back for seconds of.

Recipe At A Glance

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Servings: 6 as a side dish or 4 as a main
• Best For: cozy dinners, holiday sides, low-carb comfort food

Why You’ll Love This Cabbage and Bacon Gratin

• Rich, creamy, and full of smoky bacon flavor
• A great way to turn simple cabbage into comfort food
• Works as a side dish or an easy main
• Naturally low-carb and satisfying
• Perfect for make-ahead dinners or leftovers

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🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe uses simple, affordable ingredients, but the final dish tastes rich, savory, and far more special than you’d expect from cabbage.

• 1 medium green cabbage, cored and thinly sliced (savoy works great too)
• 6 strips of thick-cut bacon, chopped
• 1 small onion, thinly sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 ½ cups heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter touch)
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 cup grated Gruyère or sharp cheddar
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon butter (for greasing)
• Optional: ½ cup breadcrumbs or crushed Ritz crackers for a crispy top

📝 This is a cooked cabbage recipe that doubles as a cabbage side dish or a full-blown cabbage dinner recipe. Low-carb? Check. Comforting? Double check. Cabbage casserole goals met.

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🔥 How to Make Cabbage and Bacon Gratin

STEP 1 – PREHEAT THE OVEN AND PREP THE DISH

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Grab a 9x13-inch baking dish (glass or ceramic works best) and generously grease it with 1 tablespoon of butter. Make sure to coat the bottom and sides well to prevent sticking.

STEP 2 – COOK THE BACON

Place a large skillet or sauté pan over medium heat. Add the 6 chopped strips of thick-cut bacon and cook, stirring occasionally, until the fat renders and the bacon turns golden and crispy—about 8 minutes.
Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels. Leave about 1 tablespoon of bacon grease in the pan and discard the rest (or save it if you're feeling Southern).

STEP 3 – SAUTÉ THE ONION AND GARLIC

In the same pan with the bacon grease, add the thinly sliced onion. Cook over medium heat for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion becomes soft and translucent.
Add the 2 minced garlic cloves, and cook for 30–60 seconds, just until fragrant—don’t let it burn.

STEP 4 – WILT THE CABBAGE

Add the thinly sliced green cabbage to the pan. Season with a big pinch of salt and a little black pepper.
Cook for 8–10 minutes, stirring often, until the cabbage has softened significantly and is starting to brown in spots.
👉 Tip: Browning = flavor! If the cabbage releases water, keep cooking until most of the moisture evaporates.

STEP 5 – ADD THE CREAM AND MUSTARD

Pour in 1½ cups of heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter version) and stir in 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard.
Mix well to coat the cabbage evenly, and let the mixture simmer gently for 2–3 minutes, just until slightly thickened.
Taste and season with additional salt and pepper if needed.

STEP 6 – ASSEMBLE THE GRATIN

Transfer the creamy cabbage mixture to your buttered baking dish, spreading it out evenly with a spatula.
Sprinkle the reserved crispy bacon over the top.
Add 1 cup of shredded Gruyère or sharp cheddar cheese. For extra gooey vibes, stir half the cheese into the cabbage before topping.
(Optional) Sprinkle ½ cup of breadcrumbs or crushed Ritz crackers over the top for a golden, crispy finish.

STEP 7 – BAKE UNTIL GOLDEN AND BUBBLY

Place the baking dish on the middle rack of your oven and bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, or until the top is bubbling and golden brown.
You’re looking for melty cheese edges and a crisp topping.

STEP 8 – COOL SLIGHTLY, THEN SERVE

Remove the gratin from the oven and let it rest for at least 10 minutes before serving. This helps the sauce thicken up and prevents molten cheese lava burns (we've all been there).

💡 Tip: Don’t overcrowd the pan while cooking the cabbage. If needed, cook it in batches so it browns instead of steaming.

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🥘 Baking & Assembly Tools

• 8x8 or 9x13 baking dish – depending on how thick you want your gratin; ceramic or glass works best.
• Measuring cups & spoons – for cream, mustard, and seasonings.
• Grater – for shredding Gruyère or cheddar.
• Spatula or wooden spoon – for stirring the skillet ingredients and spreading the mixture in the dish.

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🔥 Finishing Tools

• Aluminum foil – to cover the gratin while it bakes (removing it near the end for a crispy top).
• Oven mitts – because safety is sexy.
• Small bowl + fork – for tossing breadcrumbs with melted butter, if using a topping.

🧩 Easy Variations

• Gluten-Free: Skip the breadcrumbs or use GF crackers for the topping.
• Low-Carb / Keto Cabbage Casserole: Stick to cream, cheese, and cabbage—no topping needed!
• Vegetarian: Sub the bacon with smoked paprika and sautéed mushrooms.
• Extra Veggies: Add spinach, kale, or roasted cauliflower.
• Cheese Swap: Mozzarella, Swiss, or even a sharp blue cheese for a funky twist.

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🍽️ Serving Suggestions

This dish is ridiculously versatile. Serve it as:

• A hearty cabbage side dish for roast chicken or pork.
• A cozy weeknight main with a side salad and crusty bread.
• A brunch table hero with poached eggs on top.
• Or, my personal favorite: cold from the fridge, standing in pajamas at midnight.

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Storage and Reheating Tips

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Reheat in the oven at 325°F until warmed through, or microwave individual portions until hot.

This gratin reheats well, making it a great make-ahead side dish or next-day lunch.

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🧠 Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this ahead?

Yes! Assemble the whole thing, cover, and refrigerate. Just add 5–10 extra minutes to the bake time if it's cold.

Can I freeze cabbage gratin?

Totally. Let it cool completely, wrap it well, and freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat from thawed at 350°F.

It turned out watery—help?

Make sure to cook the cabbage down properly and drain any excess moisture before adding cream.

What cabbage works best?

Regular green cabbage or savoy cabbage. Avoid red cabbage unless you’re going for a purple lava aesthetic.

More Cabbage Recipes to Try Next

If you enjoyed this cabbage and bacon gratin, you might also like a hearty Italian cabbage soup or a fresh Asian cabbage salad with a warm, spicy peanut dressing.

Asian cabbage salad

Italian cabbage soup

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a simple way to turn cabbage into something rich, cozy, and surprisingly irresistible, this cabbage and bacon gratin is a recipe worth keeping on repeat.

It’s budget-friendly, deeply comforting, and the kind of dish that proves humble ingredients can still steal the whole table.

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