cabbage casserole made with Ritz Cracker topping

Budget Bites: Cabbage Casserole (with Gluten-Free Option)

/Updated /23 Comments/in /by Mary Hunt
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This dish with its Mediterranean flair is popular in the southern US and Canada. The basic ingredients are cabbage and sweet onion, combined in a baking dish, covered with yummy “sauce,” then topped with a lovely blend of crushed crackers and cheese. Several other ingredients play a minor role. Baked until golden, Cabbage Casserole is nutritious, delicious, and budget-friendly.

cabbage casserole made with Ritz Cracker topping

Nutritional benefits

Cabbage dishes are an integral part of the Mediterranean diet. It is a low-calorie, low-fat food that is also rich in antioxidants and vitamins. The nutritional benefits of cabbage casseroles include:

  • Necessary fiber that helps with digestion.
  • Antioxidants that help protect cells from oxidative damage and to protect us from free radicals.
  • The high levels of vitamins found in cabbage help the body absorb calcium more efficiently, which aids muscle development and boosts bone health

 

Cabbage Casserole

You’ll need:

  • cabbage
  • onion
  • cream of chicken soup
  • mayonnaise
  • butter
  • cheese
  • Ritz Crackers
  • salt and pepper

As I write, the regular cost at my local supermarket (generic when available and no sale prices) of basic ingredient to make this Cabbage Casserole: $10.03 ($1.25/serving)

If seeing the cost of these ingredients brings tears to your eyes, that’s what has happened to our economy. Food prices are up a full 15% now and could be going higher.

(See Recipe Notes for gluten-free option.)

cabbage casserole inspired by Brenda Gannt
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4.70 from 10 votes

Budget Bites: Cabbage Casserole

This dish is popular in the southern US and Canada.Cabbage dishes are an integral part of the Mediterranean diet because they are rich in antioxidants and vitamins. This particular casserole is as tasty as it is healthy and budget-friendly. See newly added make-ahead instructions in the Notes.
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time1 hour 15 minutes
Course: Entree, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8
Calories: 431kcal
Author: Inspired by Brenda Gannt

Ingredients

Casserole

  • 1 small cabbage rough chopped (about 4 cups)
  • 1 med sweet onion chopped; like Vidalia (about 1 cup)
  • 1 10.5 oz can Cream of Chicken Soup (See NOTES for how to make this yourself)
  • 1/4 cup butter (1/2 stick), melted
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • salt and pepper to taste

Topping

  • 1/4 cup butter, melted (1/2 stick)
  • 1 sleeve Ritz Crackers (about 1 1/2 cups crushed)
  • 8 oz. grated cheddar cheese (about 1 cup.; can substitute your choice cheese)

Instructions

Casserole

  • Preheat oven to 350°F
  • Place the chopped cabbage in a 9 x 13 greased baking dish
  • Place chopped onion on top of cabbage and season with salt and pepper as desired.
  • In a separate bowl mix the chicken soup, melted butter, mayonnaise together and then spread on top of the cabbage and onions, without mixing it.

Topping

  • Crush the Ritz Crackers.
  • In another bowl, mix the cracker crumbs, melted butter, and grated cheese.
  • Spread the crumb cheese mixture evenly over the top.
  • Bake for about 45 minutes at 350°F.  Do not remove from the oven until the top looks golden, making sure that you keep an eye on it. Do not over bake. The casserole should be bubbly.

Notes

NOTE 1: DIY Condensed Cream Soup Mix: 
Ingredients:
      • 2 cups nonfat dry milk
      • 3/4 cup cornstarch
      • 1/4 cup chicken or beef bouillon granules
      • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
      • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil leaves
      • 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
Instructions: Combine all ingredients and mix well with wire whisk until blended. Store mix in an airtight container. Yield: This recipe makes enough mix to equal 9 cans of condensed soup.
To use: As a substitute for one can of condensed cream soup in recipes, stir together 1/3 cup dry mix and 1 1/4 cup water in a saucepan. Cook and stir until thickened. Equals one can of condensed soup.
NOTE 2: Make-Ahead Instructions. Make as directed right up making the cracker-crumb melted butter topping. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for up to 2 days. On serving day, remove from the refrigerator, proceed with the cracker-crumb melted butter topping as stated in the recipe above. Bake as instructions. Enjoy!
NOTE 3: Gluten-free Option: Substitute sour cream for the soup. Substitute crushed Pork rinds for the Ritz crackers. Delicious! —Candy Davidson

Nutrition

Calories: 431kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 42g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 13g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 71mg | Sodium: 472mg | Potassium: 184mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 745IU | Vitamin C: 33mg | Calcium: 242mg | Iron: 1mg

 

 

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23 replies
Newer Comments »
  1. Candy Davison says:

    5 stars
    I made this recipe gluten free and keto by substituting sour cream for chicken soup and crushed pork rinds for Ritz crackers! Absolutely delicious!!

    Reply
  3. Ruth says:

    4 stars
    Very tasty recipe, easily tweaked. In place of the canned soup, I used home-made chicken broth with a few tablespoons of arrowroot powder mixed in, and used bread crumbs instead of the crackers. I also cut back on the butter and mayo (the pricey ingredients!), but added a little more cheese. I might use cornflakes on top next time for a little more crunch.

    Reply
  4. Deb says:

    4 stars
    Is there any reason I shouldn’t use the Condensed Cream Soup Mix (published in your “Make Your Own Mixes” booklet) to substitute for the cream of chicken soup in this recipe?

    Reply
  5. Karla says:

    A yummy supper dish based on cheap, nutritious ingredients. I agree with other readers that the mayo could be cut down or omitted, as can the butter. To cut costs further, a person could use Mary’s recipe for cream soup substitute or as I did, make a simple white sauce. Cream soups, even store brand in our area are over $2 a can! (Where are the days of 2/$1?) I threw in some diced leftover ham (making it a main dish) and topped with homemade bread crumbs tossed with 2T of butter. Perhaps not as tasty as Ritz, but with 100% whole wheat bread crumbs, definitely healthier. Call this the “Ultra Frugal Scottish” version based on cooking tips learned from my Scottish mother! Still tasty!!!

    Reply
    • Mary Hunt says:

      Thanks for your great promptings to adjust and substitute! Yes, the DIY cream soup (Anything Cream Soup) would work very well here. I will republish that recipe so be watching for that, soon!

      Reply
  6. Delicious AND Easy! says:

    5 stars
    This could not have been easier. Only used 1/3 cup of Mayo and will omit it next time. Couldn’t taste what it added and I’m funny about Mayo in cooked foods. But as it was, it was soooooo good!!!!! Already shared the recipe with my family. Thank you for another delicious offering!!!

    Reply
  7. Julie says:

    I cook something similar and it’s called Bubble & Squeak (from the UK). I rough chop a whole head of green cabbage, one whole onion, and diced potatoes then fry / cook it up in a big pan until vegetables are soft. Season however you like. Delicious, Cheap, Easy and Filling. OR you could add low sodium chicken broth to make into a pot of soup, yum!

    Reply
  9. Sounds delicious. I'm making it tomorrow. says:

    5 stars
    I find myself asking, “Would my grandmother (I’m 72) have eaten this or had this available to buy?” If the answer is no I go to my recipes and find something I have the ingredients for and make it. I’m saving by buying ingredients instead of buying “convenience” and becoming more healthy for it!

    Reply
    • Marvi says:

      You could omit the Mayo. Then decrease either, or both, of the soup and/or butter and substitute with chicken broth. May need to adjust the cooking times but doubt it. Good luck!!!

      Reply
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