Creamy Cheesy Dirty Cabbage Casserole–a flavorful dinner made with smoked sausage, tender cabbage, bell peppers and Cajun seasoning, with creamy, cheesy finish. Make it in the Crockpot or Instant Pot!
Creamy Cheesy Dirty Cabbage Casserole
If you’re looking for an easy way to use up a head of cabbage, this sausage and cabbage dinner is a great option! I love how the smoked sausage adds so much flavor to the cabbage, and the Cajun seasoning gives everything a little kick without being too spicy. Greg and I both loved this one, especially with the sour cream and mozzarella stirred in at the end to make it creamy and cheesy. It’s a simple, inexpensive dinner that you can eat on its own or serve over rice or egg noodles to stretch it even further!
Ingredients/Substitution Ideas
- Olive oil–or vegetable, canola oil
- Beef smoked sausage–or andouille sausage for a spicier version.
- Celery
- Garlic
- Green bell pepper–or red, yellow or orange bell pepper
- Tomato paste
- Green onion
- Chicken broth–or water and Better than Bouillon
- Cabbage
- Cajun seasoning
- Apple cider vinegar
- Sour cream
- Mozzarella cheese–or Monterey Jack, pepper Jack or cheddar cheese.
Steps
Heat a pan over medium high heat. Add in the oil and swirl it around. Add in the smoked sausage in one layer and let it brown on each side for about 3 minutes.
Stir in the celery and saute for 3 more minutes. Stir in the garlic for 30 seconds. Transfer to the slow cooker.
Stir in the green pepper, tomato paste, green onion and chicken broth.
Add in the cabbage and sprinkle it all over with the cajun seasoning. Toss well.
Cover and cook on low for 3-5 hours. Each slow cooker cooks differently.
Stir in the vinegar. You can serve as is or if you want it creamy and cheesy stir in the sour cream and mozzarella.
Eat plain or serve over rice or egg noodles.
Notes/Tips
- Serve plain or over the top of rice, noodles, cauliflower rice, mashed potatoes or toasted french bread.
- Beef smoked sausage is a great option for a mild, smoky flavor. If you like a little heat, use andouille sausage.
- Ten cups of cabbage seems like a lot, but it will cook down considerably.
- Adjust the Cajun seasoning, as needed. Different brands have different amounts of salt and heat.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container* in the refrigerator for 4 days. Freeze leftovers for up to 3 months. I wouldn’t recommend freezing it after adding the sour cream. Dairy-based sauces can separate when thawed.
- Other recipes you can make with cajun seasoning are Instant Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta and Grand Canyon Casserole.
- Tools:
- I used my 6 quart Ninja slow cooker. You’ll need at least a 6 quart slow cooker or Instant Pot to fit all the cabbage inside.
- Wooden saute paddle*
- Knife*
- Cutting board*
- Magnetic measuring cups*
- Magnetic measuring spoons*
- Glass measuring cup*
- Garlic press*
- Cheese grater*
Did you know you can filter the recipes on my website to search by meat type, IP or Crockpot, low carb, gluten free, etc.? Use the filter to find exactly what you are looking for.
Creamy Cheesy Dirty Cabbage Casserole
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 (12 oz) package beef smoked sausage or andouille sausage, sliced
- 1 rib of celery, sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 green bell pepper, large dice
- 1 Tbsp tomato paste
- 1 sliced green onion
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 10 cups chopped cabbage
- 1 Tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
Slow Cooker Instructions
- Heat a pan over medium high heat. Add in the oil and swirl it around. Add in the smoked sausage in one layer and let it brown on each side for about 3 minutes.
- Stir in the celery and saute for 3 more minutes. Stir in the garlic for 30 seconds. Transfer to the slow cooker.
- Stir in the green pepper, tomato paste, green onion and chicken broth.
- Add in the cabbage and sprinkle it all over with the cajun seasoning. Toss well.
- Cover and cook on low for 3-5 hours. Each slow cooker cooks differently.
- Stir in the vinegar. You can serve as is or if you want it creamy and cheesy stir in the sour cream and mozzarella.
- Eat plain or serve over rice or egg noodles.
Instant Pot Instructions
- Turn Instant Pot to saute setting. When display says HOT add in the oil and swirl around. Add in the smoked sausage in one layer and let it brown on each side for about 3 minutes.
- Stir in the celery and saute for 3 more minutes. Stir in the garlic for 30 seconds.
- Pour in the broth and scrape bottom of pot so that nothing is sticking. Turn off Instant Pot.
- Add in the cabbage, green pepper, tomato paste and green onion. Sprinkle the cajun seasoning on top.
- Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set manual/pressure cook button to 2 minutes. When time is up move valve to venting. Remove the lid.
- Stir well. Stir in the vinegar. You can serve as is or if you want it creamy and cheesy stir in the sour cream and mozzarella.
- Eat plain or serve over rice or egg noodles.
- Category: Sausage
- Method: Instant Pot or Slow Cooker
More recipes with Cabbage…
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Instant Pot Cabbage Roll Casserole
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Instant Pot Cabbage Rolls
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Slow Cooker Smoked Sausage and Cabbage
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Instant Pot St. Patty’s Day Corned Beef and Cabbage
Tender sliced corned beef served with cabbage, red potatoes and carrots. Only 6 ingredients are needed to create this delicious one pot meal.
Instant Pot Unstuffed Cabbage Soup
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*Karen Petersen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
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