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This Easy Vegetarian Cabbage Casserole Recipe Is Sure To Be A Big Hit At Dinner!
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The humble head of cabbage is often relegated to coleslaw duty, but this versatile veggie deserves a starring role on your dinner table. California boasts some of the freshest, most flavorful cabbage year-round, and with a bit of know-how, you can transform it into a show-stopping vegetarian dish like this Creamy Mushroom and Cabbage Casserole.
The Art of Choosing the Perfect Green Cabbage
When you’re at your local farmers market or grocery store, eyeing those lush green cabbages, how do you pick the best one for making cabbage casserole? It’s simpler than you think!
How to Select the Best Head of Cabbage.
- Look for Vibrancy: The best green cabbages have crisp, shiny leaves. The color should be a vibrant green without any major brown spots or blemishes.
- Check the Weight: A good cabbage is heavier than it looks. This weight is a sign of freshness and juiciness.
- Inspect the Leaves: Opt for cabbages with tightly packed leaves. The density indicates that it’s fresh and hasn’t been sitting out too long.
Storing Green Cabbage: A Freshness Keeper’s Guide
Got your perfect head of cabbage? Great! Now, let’s make sure it stays fresh as long as possible once you get it home.
How to Properly Store Green Cabbage.
- Refrigerate Right Away: Green cabbage loves the cold. Store it in your refrigerator’s crisper drawer to maintain its freshness.
- Keep It Whole: If you can, keep the cabbage whole until you’re ready to use it. Once cut, it begins to lose its Vitamin C content.
- Wrap It Up: If you’ve cut into your cabbage, wrap the remaining portion tightly in plastic wrap and store it in the fridge. It can last like this for a few days.
Cleaning Your Green Cabbage: The Pre-Cook Ritual You Can’t Skip!
Before your cabbage makes its way into your casserole dish, a good clean-up is essential. There is nothing worse than spending all that time cooking a delicious meal only to find there is dirt and grit present when you take a bite. Clean-up is easy and super quick using the tips below.
How to Properly Clean Green Cabbage.
- Remove the Outer Leaves: Peel away the outer leaves, as they’re more likely to carry dirt and grime.
- Rinse Under Cold Water: Give the cabbage a good rinse under cold running water to remove any lingering dirt.
- Dry It Off: Pat the cabbage dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towel. Moisture can promote spoilage, so you want it dry before storing or using it.
This Cabbage Casserole is Bursting with CA GROWN Goodness in Every Bite!
While we can all agree that green cabbage is the real superstar of this recipe, there are a few more key players from the Golden State at play here. Mushrooms, real California milk and cheese, olive oil, garlic, onion, and walnuts are all integral parts of this hearty meal.
How Do Mushrooms Grow in California?
Mushrooms (another fantastic ingredient for your casseroles) have a unique growing process, especially here in California. At Far West Fungi, mushrooms are grown in carefully controlled environments, ensuring the perfect balance of humidity, temperature, and fresh air to mimic their natural growing conditions. Starting from spores, these fungi are nurtured on a substrate of organic materials, such as wood chips or straw, depending on the mushroom type.
These sustainable farming practices not only yield some of the best mushrooms in the country, but also support the local ecosystem. Including these CA GROWN mushrooms in your casserole adds a layer of rich, earthy flavors and textures, complementing the green cabbage beautifully.
Learn How Mushrooms are Grown at Far West Fungi
When Toby and John Garrone started selling mushrooms out of their Volkswagen camper in the early 80s, they only offered three kinds of mushrooms: button, portabella, and cremini. Back then, there wasn’t much of a market for exotic mushrooms.
Fast forward to 2024, and what once was a small operation run out of their garage has expanded to an 8-acre farm with 60,000 feet of growing space.
Click here to tour Far West Fungi with us!
A Word About California Extra Virgin Olive Oil:
Want to be sure your olive oil is fresh, the highest quality, and the real deal? Look for the COOC seal on bottles of California Extra Virgin Olive Oil to make sure you’re getting delicious 100% Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Certified California EVOO uses stricter standards than international requirements, requiring the oil to pass chemical testing and a sensory analysis by a group of experts, called an organoleptic panel evaluation.
Your Ultimate Guide to Cabbage Casserole Preparation
Armed with the freshest California-grown green cabbage and knowledge of how mushrooms are grown and thrive in California, you’re all set to create sensational dishes that celebrate the best of the Golden State’s produce.
Remember, whether you’re a seasoned chef or a home cook, the quality of your ingredients is key to the success of your meals. And when those ingredients are sourced from California, you’re not only enjoying delicious food but also supporting our state’s farmers and sustainable agriculture.
Which California Wine Pairs Best with Cabbage Casserole?
This casserole is rich, creamy, and hearty. We suggest pairing this with a nice glass of Sauvignon Blanc from California.
We love seeing your culinary masterpieces! Snap a pic of your cabbage casserole (or any creative twist on it) and tag us on social using #CAGROWN. Your delicious dishes not only inspire fellow foodies but also shine a spotlight on the incredible produce grown right here in California.
Craving more CA GROWN goodness? Don’t miss out on our treasure trove of recipes and inspiration. Follow us on Pinterest for fresh and fabulous recipe inspiration that celebrates the Golden State!
Creamy Mushroom and Cabbage Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 head green cabbage, rough chopped
- 16 ounces baby bella mushrooms, sliced
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, grated or pressed
- 4 TBSP olive oil, divided
- 3 TBSP butter
- ¼ cup flour
- 2 cups milk
- 2 cups baby swiss cheese, shredded and divided
- ⅛ tsp nutmeg, grated
- ⅛ tsp cayenne
- 1 cup walnuts, chopped
- salt and pepper to taste
To garnish:
- 3 TBSP celery leaves, chopped parsley, chopped green onion
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350℉ (180℃). Grease a 13x9x2-inch (33x23x5 cm) casserole dish and set aside.
- In a large pot or dutch oven on medium high heat, saute the mushrooms in one tablespoon of olive oil. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Once cooked, remove from the pot and set aside.
- Add the remaining olive oil, onions, and cabbage to the pot and cook for about 10 minutes. You want the cabbage to have a little bit of a bite to it still. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- *If the entire head of cabbage won’t fit, you may need to add in batches as it cooks down. Stir frequently to avoid burning or sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- Once the cabbage and onions are cooked, add the mushrooms back into the pot.
- For the binder: In a small pot melt butter over medium heat, add the flour and stir constantly until the flour is cooked, about 2-4 minutes. The roux should change to a shade darker in color.
- Once the roux is ready, add milk ½ cup (115 ml) at a time, stirring constantly until a thick smooth sauce forms, about 5 minutes. Next, add one cup (115 g) of baby swiss cheese, ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg, ⅛ teaspoon cayenne, and salt and pepper to taste.
- Now add the sauce to the pot with cabbage, mushrooms, and onions and stir until completely incorporated.
- Pour all ingredients into the prepared casserole dish and bake uncovered for 25 minutes, the cheese should be melted and bubbling.
- Sprinkle the chopped walnuts over the top of the cheese and return to the oven for another 5 minutes.
- Allow the casserole to stand at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes before serving.
- Optionally garnish the casserole with chopped celery leaves, parsley, green onion, or chives.
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More easy and delicious cabbage recipes to try next!
Green cabbage from California is an affordable ingredient that we think should always be in your crisper drawer. Below are some of our favorite recipes to indulge in this delicious vegetable.
Rancho Gordo’s Minestrone Soup
We’re in love with Rancho Gordo’s Minestrone Soup recipe. Inspired by Marcella Hazan’s iconic Minestrone alla Romagnola, Rancho Gordo streamlined the recipe – and even adapted it for a slow cooker!
Click here to make this recipe with cabbage.
Melting Napa Cabbage
This Napa cabbage recipe requires minimal ingredients and prep work, but the final dish tastes like it took hours to create! Rich and garlicky with a sultry, robust flavor and just a hint of spice, this recipe is sure to be a hit at your dinner table.
Click here to make this recipe with cabbage.
The Best Cabbage Roll Recipe
If you’ve been searching for the best cabbage roll recipe online, you’ve officially found it! We consider this our ultimate guide to making California-grown cabbage rolls. From selecting the perfect ingredients to the easiest way to prep cabbage for making cabbage rolls, we have all the tips and tricks you need to unleash maximum flavor in every roll.
Click here to make this recipe with cabbage.
Recipes with Napa Cabbage You Should Be Making Now!
California-grown Napa cabbage is known for its ruffled leaves, succulent stems, and unforgettably delightful crunch. It’s safe to say we are BIG fans! We’ve gathered the best recipes with Napa Cabbage so you can celebrate its crisp, tender crunch & delicious mellow flavor all year long.