Cheesy Cabbage Gratin with Ground Meat

Cheesy Cabbage Gratin with Ground Meat

This comforting Cheesy Cabbage Gratin combines tender cabbage, seasoned ground meat, and a creamy sauce topped with melted cheddar cheese and golden breadcrumbs. It’s a hearty, one-dish meal that’s perfect for weeknight dinners and brings together simple ingredients into something truly satisfying. This gratin is easy to prepare and makes enough to feed the whole family.

Ingredients

• 1 medium head of cabbage, chopped
• 500g ground beef or pork
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 200ml beef broth
• 200ml heavy cream
• 250g cheddar cheese, grated
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 100g breadcrumbs

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 190°C. Heat butter in a large pan over medium-high heat and brown the ground meat, breaking it apart as it cooks, about 8 minutes. Remove and set aside.
2. In the same pan, sauté onion and garlic until softened, about 3 minutes. Add carrots and cook for another 3 minutes.
3. Stir in tomato paste and paprika, cook for 1 minute. Add chopped cabbage and cook until it starts to soften, about 5 minutes.
4. Return the meat to the pan, pour in beef broth and cream. Season with salt and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.
5. Transfer mixture to a buttered baking dish. Top with grated cheese and breadcrumbs mixed together.
6. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the top is golden and bubbling around the edges.
7. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Practical Tips

• Prepare ahead: You can assemble this dish up to the baking step a few hours ahead and refrigerate it until ready to bake. Simply add 5 extra minutes to the baking time if cooking from cold.
• Cheese variation: Mix cheddar with gruyere or emmental for a more complex flavor, or use whatever cheese you have on hand for a personalized touch.
• Vegetable flexibility: Feel free to add mushrooms, bell peppers, or zucchini alongside the carrots for extra vegetables and nutrition.

How to Store It

Store leftover Cheesy Cabbage Gratin in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a 160°C oven for about 15 minutes until warmed through, or microwave individual portions for 2-3 minutes. You can also freeze the unbaked gratin for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking.

Questions and Answers

Can I use ground turkey instead of beef or pork? Yes, ground turkey works well in this recipe. It’s a leaner option that will still provide good flavor when browned properly.

What if I don’t have heavy cream? You can substitute with sour cream, Greek yogurt, or a mixture of milk and cream cheese. The texture may be slightly different but equally delicious.

How do I know when the gratin is done baking? The top should be golden brown and you should see the sauce bubbling around the edges of the baking dish. The cheese will be melted and the breadcrumbs crispy.