A rich, comforting cabbage side dish baked in a creamy Gruyère cheese sauce and topped with crispy turkey bacon. Perfect for holidays, weeknights, or keto meals.
Main Base:
1 medium head green cabbage, cut into 4 thick wedges
½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
¼ teaspoon black pepper
Creamy Sauce:
¾ cup heavy cream
¾ cup Gruyère cheese, grated
½ teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or ¼ tsp dried thyme)
Topping:
4 ounces turkey bacon, chopped
1 teaspoon butter (optional, for added richness)
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Lightly grease a cast-iron skillet or oven-safe baking dish.
In a skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped turkey bacon until crispy and golden.
Remove bacon and set aside. Reserve 1 teaspoon of bacon drippings in the pan.
Add cabbage wedges to the hot skillet with the reserved drippings.
Sear for 4–5 minutes per side, until edges are golden brown and slightly charred.
Pour heavy cream evenly over the seared cabbage.
Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and thyme.
Scatter crispy turkey bacon on top.
Top with grated Gruyère cheese.
Transfer the skillet or dish to the preheated oven.
Bake uncovered for 18–20 minutes, until the cream thickens and cheese bubbles.
Let cool slightly before serving.
Spoon extra sauce from the pan over each serving for maximum flavor.
Turkey Bacon Substitute: Use smoked mushrooms or tempeh for a vegetarian version.
Cheese Options: Swiss, mozzarella, or fontina can replace Gruyère.
Cabbage Alternatives: Savoy or Napa cabbage can also be used.
Low-Fat Swap: Replace heavy cream with half-and-half or cashew cream.
Make Ahead: Assemble and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.
Find it online: https://claradelish.com/creamy-baked-cabbage-with-crispy-bacon/