Tender roasted cabbage wedges bathed in a silky garlic-Parmesan cream sauce, finished with crispy bacon and fresh herbs… this is the kind of side dish that steals the spotlight from anything else on the table. Every layer of the cabbage soaks up the rich sauce, turning sweet, buttery, and unbelievably “melty” in the center while the edges get golden and caramelized.

Marry Me Melting Cabbage takes the cozy flavors of classic “marry me” dishes—creamy, garlicky, a little bit tangy—and wraps them around humble cabbage. It’s simple enough for a weeknight dinner, impressive enough for guests, and just so good you’ll want to lick the pan clean.

Why You’ll Love Marry Me Melting Cabbage

This dish checks all the comfort-food boxes while still feeling a little bit fancy.

Big flavor, simple ingredients. You get layers of garlic, Parmesan, cream, and smoky bacon using basic pantry and fridge staples.
Cabbage that actually feels special. Roasting transforms cabbage from crunchy and plain into something sweet, tender, and rich.
Oven does most of the work. Once the cabbage is nestled in the pan and covered in sauce, you just bake, baste, and finish under the broiler.
Perfect with almost any main. Serve it with chicken, steak, pork, fish, or a holiday roast—this side fits right in.
Great leftovers. The cabbage reheats beautifully and the sauce gets even more flavorful by the next day.

What Kind of Cabbage Works Best for Marry Me Melting Cabbage?

For this dish, a standard green cabbage is your best friend. It’s sturdy enough to hold its wedge shape in the oven, but tender enough to soften into those dreamy, melty layers once roasted in cream.

Savoy cabbage can also work if you prefer a more delicate texture and ruffly leaves, but you may need to be extra gentle when cutting and arranging the wedges. Red (purple) cabbage is gorgeous for garnishing the pan and adding color, though it won’t get quite as soft and sweet as green cabbage.

Whichever you choose, look for a cabbage that feels heavy for its size, with tight leaves and no big brown spots. That’s how you’ll get the sweetest flavor and the best texture when it roasts.

Ingredients

To make this ultra-cozy pan of Marry Me Melting Cabbage, you’ll need a handful of everyday ingredients that bring creaminess, flavor, and a little crunch on top.

Green cabbage – the star of the dish; roasting turns it tender, sweet, and irresistibly “melty.”
Olive oil – helps the cabbage caramelize around the edges and keeps it from drying out.
Unsalted butter – melts into the sauce for extra richness and a velvety mouthfeel.
Garlic – layers in that classic “marry me” flavor and perfumes the entire pan.
Heavy cream – creates a luxurious sauce that seeps into every fold of the cabbage.
Chicken broth – lightens the cream a bit and adds savory depth.
Dijon mustard – adds a gentle tang that keeps the sauce from feeling too heavy.
Italian seasoning – brings a mix of herbs that complements the creamy sauce.
Crushed red pepper flakes – a small kick of heat to balance the richness.
Smoked paprika – adds warm color and a subtle smoky flavor to the cabbage.
Kosher salt – enhances every savory note in the dish.
Black pepper – gives gentle heat and aroma.
Parmesan cheese – salty, nutty, and essential for that cheesy, bubbly top.
Bacon – cooked until crisp, then crumbled over the pan for smoky crunch.
Panko breadcrumbs – optional, but perfect for extra crispy, golden topping.
Fresh dill or parsley – brightens up the richness with fresh, herbal notes.
Fresh chives – delicate onion flavor that finishes the dish beautifully.

How To Make the Marry Me Melting Cabbage

This dish is mostly hands-off: you’ll slice the cabbage into wedges, whisk together a quick cream sauce, then let the oven turn everything soft, golden, and dreamy.

Step 1: Prep the Cabbage Wedges

Remove any tough or wilted outer leaves from the cabbage. Slice it into thick wedges, making sure to keep a bit of the core attached to each piece so the wedges stay together in the pan. Arrange the wedges in a lightly greased baking dish, cut sides facing up and slightly overlapping if needed.

Step 2: Season the Cabbage

Drizzle the wedges with olive oil, then sprinkle with kosher salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes. This simple seasoning starts building flavor and helps the cabbage caramelize as it roasts.

Step 3: Whisk the Creamy “Marry Me” Sauce

In a bowl or measuring cup, combine the melted butter, minced garlic, heavy cream, chicken broth, Dijon mustard, and Italian seasoning. Whisk until the mixture looks smooth and the garlic and herbs are evenly distributed.

Step 4: Pour, Sprinkle, and Cover

Pour the creamy mixture around and over the cabbage wedges, making sure some of it seeps between the layers. Sprinkle part of the grated Parmesan over the top, then cover the baking dish tightly with foil. This allows the cabbage to steam gently and start becoming tender.

Step 5: Bake Until Tender and Caramelized

Slide the pan into a hot oven and bake until the cabbage is mostly tender when pierced with a fork. Remove the foil, spoon some of the sauce over each wedge, and add the remaining Parmesan and panko breadcrumbs over the top.

Step 6: Finish Under High Heat

Return the dish to the oven, uncovered, and bake until the cabbage is very soft inside and the top is golden and bubbling. If you like extra crispy edges, switch to the broiler for a minute or two at the end—just keep a close eye so it doesn’t burn.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

Right before serving, shower the hot cabbage with crumbled bacon, fresh dill or parsley, and chives. Spoon some of the creamy sauce from the bottom of the pan over each wedge so every bite is saucy, cheesy, and full of flavor.

Serving Marry Me Melting Cabbage

A pan of Marry Me Melting Cabbage comfortably feeds about 4 people as a side dish, especially when served alongside a protein and maybe another simple veggie or salad.

Serve the wedges straight from the baking dish, making sure to drizzle plenty of the creamy sauce over each serving. It pairs beautifully with roasted or grilled chicken, steak, pork chops, baked fish, or even a holiday ham or prime rib.

For a lighter meal, add a wedge to a bowl of cooked grains like farro, rice, or quinoa and spoon extra sauce over the top. You can also tuck leftovers into a warm bowl of mashed potatoes or use them as a cozy topping for toasted sourdough.

Storing Marry Me Melting Cabbage

Marry Me Melting Cabbage keeps surprisingly well, which is great if you love prepping veggies ahead of time.

Refrigerator: Let leftovers cool to room temperature, then transfer them (with plenty of sauce) to an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 3–4 days.
Reheating: Reheat single servings in the microwave in short bursts, spooning sauce over the top to keep things moist. For the best texture, reheat in a small baking dish in a 350°F (180°C) oven until warmed through and bubbly. You can add a splash of cream or broth if the sauce has thickened too much.
Freezing: The cream sauce may separate slightly after freezing and thawing, so freezing isn’t ideal. If you do freeze it, wrap the wedges tightly and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently with an extra splash of cream or broth to help the sauce come back together.

Avoid leaving the cabbage out at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Always store it with some of the sauce to keep the wedges juicy and tender.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make Marry Me Melting Cabbage without bacon?
Absolutely. The bacon adds smoky crunch, but you can easily leave it out to keep the dish vegetarian. For extra texture, increase the panko topping or sprinkle toasted chopped nuts (like walnuts or almonds) over the cabbage right before serving.

Can I use a different type of cabbage?
Yes. Green cabbage is ideal, but Savoy cabbage also works if you like softer, frillier leaves. Red cabbage is gorgeous in the pan, though it doesn’t become quite as silky and sweet as green. You can even mix a few wedges of each for extra color.

Is Marry Me Melting Cabbage low carb or keto-friendly?
The base of the dish—cabbage, cream, Parmesan, and bacon—is naturally low in carbs. To keep it more keto-friendly, simply skip the panko breadcrumbs or use a low-carb crumb topping instead. Always check your broth and mustard labels if you’re tracking carbs closely.

Can I prep this dish ahead of time?
Yes. You can assemble the seasoned cabbage wedges and the cream mixture up to a day in advance. Keep the cabbage arranged in the baking dish, store the sauce separately, and refrigerate both tightly covered. When you’re ready to bake, pour the sauce over the cabbage, add the first layer of Parmesan, cover with foil, and bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes if everything is very cold.

Why did my sauce separate in the oven?
If the sauce boils too hard or bakes for much longer than needed, the cream can break and look a little oily. To avoid this, keep the dish covered during the first part of baking, use moderate heat, and pull it from the oven once the cabbage is fork-tender and the top is golden. A quick stir in the pan or an extra splash of cream can help bring the sauce back together.

Want More Vegetable Side Dish Ideas?

If this pan of Marry Me Melting Cabbage won your heart, you’ll love these other cozy, veggie-forward favorites:

Crack Broccoli Roasted to Crispy Perfection – ultra-crispy florets with addictive seasoning.
Parmesan Garlic Roasted Carrots – sweet, tender carrots with garlicky, cheesy edges.
Crispy Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower – golden, crunchy cauliflower that’s perfect for dipping or snacking.
Quick Roasted Butternut Squash – caramelized cubes of squash that make an easy, crowd-pleasing side.

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📌 Save Marry Me Melting Cabbage to your favorite Pinterest dinner or side dish board so you can find it easily whenever a creamy, comforting veggie craving hits.

When you make it, let me know how it turned out! Did you go heavy on the bacon, keep it vegetarian, or add your own twist with different herbs or cheeses?

I love hearing how others make these dishes their own. Questions are always welcome—let’s help each other cook smarter, not harder. And for even more everyday cooking inspiration, check out Life With Livia on Pinterest for new ideas every week.

Marry Me Melting Cabbage