1 day ago recipe & photo by , nutritional review by in Recipes, Dinner, Lunch, Meal

Million dollar cabbage

Tender cabbage wedges baked in a rich, creamy sauce with savory ground beef, smoky bacon, Parmesan, and sun-dried tomatoes. As the cabbage cooks, it becomes wonderfully tender and slightly sweet, balancing the bold, savory flavors. A comforting, satisfying low carb dinner that makes humble cabbage taste like a million dollars!

USMetric

4 servingservings

Ingredients

Cabbage and beef

2½ lbs 1.1 kg green cabbage
2 oz. 55 g bacon chopped
1 tbsp 1 tbsp olive oil if needed (optional)
1½ lbs 650 g lean ground beef (about 90% lean) or ground pork
1 tsp 1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp 1 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp ½ tsp onion powder
½ tsp ½ tsp smoked paprika powder
½ tsp ½ tsp salt divided
½ tsp ½ tsp ground black pepper

Creamy sauce

1 (1 oz.) 1 (30 g) small shallot finely choppedsmall shallots finely chopped
¼ cup (1 oz.) 60 ml (28 g) sun-dried tomatoes in oil drained and chopped
1 tsp 1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 cup 240 ml beef broth
½ cup 120 ml heavy whipping cream
2 oz. (4 tbsp) 55 g (55 ml) cream cheese softened
½ cup 120 ml Parmesan cheese finely grated

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Instructions

Instructions are for 4 servings. Please modify as needed.

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Remove any damaged outer leaves from the cabbage and cut it into four thick wedges, keeping part of the core attached so the wedges hold together.
Add the bacon to a large cast-iron or oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Cook for approximately 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the fat has rendered and the bacon is lightly crispy. Transfer to a plate, leaving the rendered fat in the skillet.
Increase the heat to medium-high. Add the cabbage wedges to the skillet, working in batches if necessary. Add a little olive oil if needed. Sear for approximately 3–4 minutes per cut side, until deeply golden. Season lightly with some of the salt and transfer to a plate.
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the ground beef to the same skillet and season with the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, remaining salt, and black pepper. Cook for approximately 5–7 minutes, breaking the meat apart with a spatula, until browned.
Add the chopped shallot and sun-dried tomatoes. Cook for another 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the shallot softens. Stir in the cooked bacon.
Add the Dijon mustard and pour in the beef broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Bring to a gentle simmer.
Reduce the heat to medium-low. Stir in the heavy cream and cream cheese until the cream cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth. Add the Parmesan and stir until combined.
Nestle the cabbage wedges into the creamy beef sauce, spooning some of the sauce over the top. Cover the skillet tightly with a lid or foil.
Transfer to the oven and bake for approximately 35–45 minutes, until the thickest part of the cabbage is nearly fork-tender.
Remove the lid or foil and bake uncovered for another 10–15 minutes, until the cabbage is completely tender, the sauce is bubbling, and the top is lightly golden. If the cabbage is still firm, continue baking and check every 5–10 minutes.
Spoon the creamy ground beef sauce over the cabbage wedges and serve hot.

Recipe notes and tips

What is million dollar cabbage?

Million dollar cabbage is a rich, comforting dish that transforms simple cabbage into something special with a creamy, savory sauce.

This low carb version features golden cabbage wedges baked with seasoned ground beef, crispy bacon, Parmesan, and sun-dried tomatoes. The cabbage becomes tender and naturally sweeter as it cooks, balancing the richness of the sauce.

What kind of cabbage works best?

Green cabbage is ideal for this recipe. Choose a firm, compact head with tightly packed leaves, as it will hold together better when cut into wedges.

Keep part of the core attached to each wedge to prevent the leaves from falling apart during searing and baking.

Why should I sear the cabbage before baking?

Searing the cabbage creates a delicious golden surface and adds depth of flavor through caramelization.

It also helps develop the cabbage's natural sweetness, making the finished dish more flavorful.

Don't worry if the cabbage isn't tender after searing. It will soften during baking in the creamy beef sauce.

Can I use another type of ground meat?

Absolutely! Ground pork, turkey, chicken, or sausage can all work well in this recipe.

If using sausage, choose one without added sugar and adjust the seasoning and salt as needed, since sausage is often already well seasoned.

If using lean ground turkey or chicken, you may need a little extra olive oil when browning the meat.

Can I make this without bacon?

Yes! The bacon adds a delicious smoky flavor, but you can leave it out if you prefer.

Use a little olive oil or butter to sear the cabbage and brown the beef. For a similar smoky note, you can add a small pinch of extra smoked paprika.

Can I use a baking dish instead of an oven-safe skillet?

Yes! If your skillet isn't large enough to hold the cabbage wedges and beef sauce, prepare everything on the stovetop as directed.

Transfer the beef sauce to a large baking dish, nestle the seared cabbage wedges into the sauce, and cover tightly with foil before baking.

Make sure the dish is deep enough to hold the sauce without overflowing.

How do I know when the cabbage is done?

The cabbage should be very tender when pierced with a fork, especially near the thickest part of the core.

Cooking time may vary depending on the size and density of the cabbage wedges. If the cabbage is still firm after the recommended baking time, continue cooking and check every 5–10 minutes.

Can I make this ahead?

Yes! You can prepare the ground beef sauce and sear the cabbage ahead of time.

Store them separately in the refrigerator, then assemble and bake when ready to serve. You may need to add a little extra baking time if the ingredients are cold.