Today, I’m thrilled to share with you one of my absolute favorite dishes – Cabbage Casserole. This is not just any ordinary casserole; it’s a warm, comforting bowl of deliciousness that always takes me back to my childhood days. I remember my mother laboring away in the kitchen, lovingly preparing this dish for our family. The aroma of sauteed celery, bell pepper, and onion mixed with the distinctive smell of cabbage would fill the house, making our mouths water in anticipation. This casserole is a perfect combination of shredded cabbage, cream of celery soup, and a hint of pimento for color, all mixed together and topped off with a layer of Pepperidge Farm herb stuffing. It’s a dish that’s deeply rooted in my family tradition, and I’m more than excited to pass it along to you. Not only is this casserole delicious, but it’s also super easy to make, even for novice cooks. So, whether you’re looking for a hearty main dish or a unique side to spice up your meal, this cabbage casserole is the perfect choice!
Ingredients
- 1/2 c. chopped celery
- 1/2 c. chopped bell pepper
- 1 small onion, chopped
- margarine
- 3 c. shredded cabbage
- 1/4 c. water
- 1 c. cream of celery soup
- pimento
- Pepperidge Farm herb stuffing
Baking Instructions
- Saute celery, pepper and onion in small amount of margarine. Add shredded cabbage and water.
- Cover and steam for 5 to 6 minutes.
- Remove from heat; add cream of celery soup and pimento for color.
- Mix well.
- Put in casserole dish.
- Cover with Pepperidge Farm herb stuffing and butter mixed together.
- Bake for 20 minutes at 350°.
Calorie: 300
Total cooking time: 40 minutes
Difficulty level: Easy
The Mysterious Case of the Cabbage Casserole
Once upon a time, I found myself in the middle of my kitchen, staring down an array of ingredients that, at first glance, seemed like they had no business being together. Here I was, with 1/2 c. chopped celery, 1/2 c. chopped bell pepper, 1 small onion, chopped, and a healthy dollop of margarine. Oh, and let’s not forget the 3 c. shredded cabbage, 1/4 c. water, 1 c. cream of celery soup, some pimento for color, and a pack of Pepperidge Farm herb stuffing.
Celery, the Unsung Hero
We all know that celery often gets relegated to the “diet food” category, but let me tell you, it can be the star of the show when it wants to be. As I sautéed the celery, bell pepper, and onion in a small amount of margarine, the celery stood tall and proud among its veggie counterparts, releasing its delicious aroma and proving its worth.
Cabbage Conundrum
Then came the cabbage. Now, cabbage and I have had a love-hate relationship over the years, but this time, I was determined to make it work. I added the shredded cabbage and water to the sautéed veggies, covered it, and let it steam for 5 to 6 minutes. You could practically hear the cabbage saying, “I’m here, I’m steamed, get used to it!”
Soup-erb Addition
Just when I thought things couldn’t get any wilder, in came the cream of celery soup and pimento. I removed the mix from the heat and added these new ingredients. It was like a daytime soap opera in my kitchen – unexpected, dramatic, and full of rich, creamy goodness. The pimento added a splash of color to the otherwise green ensemble, like a red hat at a garden party.
Casserole Creation
Now, it was time to move this party to a casserole dish. I carefully spooned the mixture into the dish, taking a moment to admire my handiwork. It looked like a vegetable patch had a rave, and this was the afterparty.
Crunch Time
The final touch? A layer of Pepperidge Farm herb stuffing mixed with melted butter. Because let’s face it, everything’s better with butter. I spread it over the top of the casserole, creating a crunchy blanket for the veggies to snuggle under.
The Heat is On
Into the oven it went, to bake for 20 minutes at 350°. As I closed the oven door, I couldn’t help but feel like a proud parent sending their kid off to their first day of school. Only in this case, my kid was a casserole and school was a pre-heated oven.
The Big Reveal
After 20 minutes, I pulled out the casserole, and let me tell you, it was a sight to behold. The stuffing had turned a beautiful golden brown, and the veggies underneath were bubbling in anticipation. It was a masterpiece, a work of art, a… well, it was a damn good-looking casserole.
So, there you have it. The tale of the cabbage casserole, a story of unexpected heroes (I’m looking at you, celery), dramatic twists, and a happy ending. And remember, cooking is not just about following a recipe. It’s about the journey, the laughter, and the delicious, delicious food.
