Creamy Keto Cabbage Recipes: A Comforting and Low-Carb Delight

For those embracing a ketogenic lifestyle, finding satisfying and flavorful recipes can sometimes be a challenge. Cabbage, often an underutilized ingredient, steps into the spotlight as a versatile and low-carb option. This article explores a variety of creamy keto cabbage recipes featuring cream cheese, offering a comforting and delicious way to enjoy this humble vegetable while staying true to your dietary goals.

Creamy Keto Ham and Cabbage Casserole: A Quick Skillet Dinner

If you're looking for an easy and quick low-carb skillet dinner, the creamy keto ham and cabbage casserole is a must-try. It's a keto comfort food that can be made in about 15 minutes with just a handful of simple ingredients. This recipe is particularly useful when you have leftover ham from a holiday dinner.

Mimicking Pasta with Cabbage Noodles

The key to this casserole is using cabbage cut into pieces that mimic wide pasta noodles. When cooked, the cabbage takes on a similar texture to pasta, creating a satisfying and familiar mouthfeel. The creamy cheese sauce, combined with spinach and ham, evokes the flavors of a pasta Alfredo, making it a rich and decadent experience.

Nutritional Benefits

This creamy keto ham and cabbage casserole is not only delicious but also boasts impressive nutritional stats. It is low in net carbs and high in protein, making it a balanced and fulfilling meal.

Key Ingredients

• Leftover chopped ham
• Head of green cabbage
• Fresh baby spinach
• Cream cheese
• Asiago cheese (can be substituted)
• Heavy whipping cream

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Cabbage: Chop the head of cabbage into wide noodles by hand. Microwave the cabbage with a tablespoon of water for 2-3 minutes to soften them.
2. Make the Cream Sauce: In a large skillet, heat the heavy cream, cream cheese, and shredded Asiago cheese over medium heat, whisking until everything melts into a smooth cream sauce.
3. Combine Ingredients: Drain the cabbage and add it to the skillet with the cream sauce. Mix well and cover the skillet with a lid. Cook for 3 minutes, then remove the lid and add the chopped ham. Cook for 1 minute.
4. Add Spinach: Take the skillet off the stove and mix in the fresh spinach until it wilts. Let cool for a couple of minutes and then serve.

Tips and Variations

• Substitute parmesan cheese, romano cheese, or sharp cheddar cheese for the Asiago cheese.
• Use half-and-half instead of heavy whipping cream, but avoid milk due to its higher carb content.
• Add garlic or Italian seasonings for an Alfredo flavor.
• If you don't have leftover ham, use a ham steak or thick-sliced deli ham.
• Add more cabbage and spinach to make the recipe stretch, but remember to recalculate the nutritional information.

Cheesy Bacon Cabbage Casserole: A Flavorful Side or Main Dish

The cheesy bacon cabbage casserole is a family favorite that is packed with flavor and keto-friendly. It can be served as a side dish or as a main dish for meal prepping.

Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers

Simple Ingredients and One-Pan Convenience

This recipe calls for simple ingredients and can be made in one pan. It's rich, creamy, and very filling. You can even prepare it in a disposable pan for potlucks, parties, or convenience. Leftovers reheat very nicely.

Key Ingredients

• Bacon
• Fresh cabbage
• Cream cheese
• Heavy cream
• Shredded cheese (cheddar or your preferred type)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prep Ingredients: Chop the bacon into bite-sized pieces and shred/cut the fresh cabbage into thin pieces.
2. Cook Bacon and Cabbage: Brown the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shredded cabbage to the skillet with the bacon and bacon grease. Cook on low with a lid until the cabbage is tender.
3. Add Cream Cheese: Place an entire block of cream cheese in the pan, slicing it into strips to speed up softening. Replace the lid and cook on low for approximately 5 minutes until the cream cheese has softened.
4. Incorporate Cream Cheese and Cream: Mix the cream cheese in with the cabbage and bacon. Add heavy cream and stir well. Replace the lid and allow to cook for an additional 5 minutes. Add seasonings if desired.
5. Bake (Optional): Transfer the cooked ingredients to an oven-safe baking dish and sprinkle the shredded cheese on top. Bake in the oven at 350 degrees for approximately 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted. For a golden-brown top, turn on the broil function for a few minutes.

Keto Creamy Cabbage Casserole with Ranch: A Luscious and Flavorful Dish

This creamy cabbage casserole features a delectable combination of cabbage, onion, and garlic, enhanced by a creamy mixture of ranch dressing, cream cheese, and heavy whipping cream. Topped with shredded cheddar cheese and baked to perfection, this casserole is a true delight.

Key Ingredients

• Cabbage
• Onion
• Garlic
• Butter
• Heavy whipping cream
• Ranch dressing
• Cream cheese
• Shredded cheddar cheese

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare Ingredients: Measure out and prepare all the ingredients.
2. Sauté Vegetables: In a frying pan, melt the butter on medium to high heat. Sauté the shredded cabbage, onion, and garlic for 7-10 minutes or until softened.
3. Add Creamy Mixture: Add the heavy whipping cream, ranch dressing, and cream cheese to the pan. Add salt and pepper to taste. Stir together and let simmer for 5-8 minutes more.
4. Bake: Add the cabbage mixture to a greased baking pan. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Bake in the preheated oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

One-Pan Cabbage Casserole: A Low-Carb Spin on Cabbage Rolls

This one-pan cabbage casserole is a low-carb version of the classic cabbage rolls. It offers the same great flavors but utilizes chopped cabbage and is all made in one pan, saving a ton of time.

Key Ingredients

• Ground beef or turkey
• Onion
• Chopped cabbage
• Tomatoes with green chili
• Tomato sauce
• Spices
• Cheese (cheddar or your preferred type)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Brown Meat and Sauté Onion: Brown the ground beef or turkey over medium heat in a large skillet and drain off any grease. Add the diced onion and sauté for 3-5 minutes.
2. Add Cabbage and Tomatoes: Add the chopped cabbage and tomatoes with green chili, tomato sauce, and spices and stir well.
3. Cook: Cover and reduce heat to medium, cooking for 15-18 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Add Cheese: When the cabbage has reached your desired tenderness, top with cheese and remove from heat. Place the lid on the skillet and allow the cheese to melt for about 2 minutes.

Scalloped Cabbage Casserole: A Decadent and Cheesy Delight

This scalloped cabbage casserole features tender cabbage blanketed in a creamy cheese sauce, then baked until bubbly. It's a decadent dish with a creamy, savory flavor profile and a zip of tang from Dijon mustard.

Key Ingredients

• Cabbage
• Butter
• Heavy cream
• Swiss cheese
• Cheddar cheese
• Cream cheese
• Mustard
• Chia seeds
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Parmesan cheese

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prep Cheeses and Preheat Oven: Prep your cheeses by grating the Swiss cheese and cheddar cheese. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
2. Prepare Cabbage: Slice a small head of cabbage in half, then remove the stalk, then cut into quarters.
3. Make Cheese Sauce: In a medium saucepan, make the cheese sauce by adding butter, heavy cream, Swiss cheese, cheddar cheese, cream cheese, mustard, chia seeds, garlic powder, and onion powder. Bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer for about 5 minutes.
4. Assemble Casserole: Coat a medium baking dish evenly with butter. Then add half the cabbage pieces and cover with half the cheese sauce. Add the remaining cabbage and top with the remaining sauce.
5. Bake: Using the fine shred on a box grater, grate Parmesan over the casserole, coating in an even layer, then bake for 35 minutes, or until cheese begins to turn golden brown. Let cool for about 10 minutes before serving.

Creamy Cabbage with Mushrooms: A Pasta Replacement

This cabbage dish offers a creamy and delicious pasta replacement. Cabbage slices, when cooked, make a great substitute for pasta. Combined with a creamy mushroom sauce, it's a delightful and healthy meal.

Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide

Key Ingredients

• Cabbage
• Mushrooms
• Oil
• Cream cheese
• Seasonings
• Parsley

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Cook Cabbage: Cut the cabbage into thin strips. Place in a saucepan, cover with water, bring to the boil, and cook for 8-10 minutes until soft yet firm.
2. Cook Mushrooms: In a frying pan on a medium heat, add the oil and the mushrooms. Cook for 5-8 minutes.
3. Combine and Add Cream Cheese: Add the cooked cabbage to the frying pan with the mushrooms and stir thoroughly. Stir in the cream cheese, seasonings, and parsley.

Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto

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