There’s something magical about casseroles — they’re warm, comforting, nostalgic, and often surprisingly simple to assemble. Among these beloved classics, the Cheesy Cabbage Casserole stands out as one of those humble dishes that somehow ends up stealing the entire show ⭐.

This recipe isn’t new, experimental, or trendy — it’s one of those tried-and-true favorites that has circulated through home kitchens, church potlucks, family reunions, and holiday dinners for decades. It’s especially popular across the Southern United States, where creamy casseroles and buttery cracker toppings are practically food group of their own 😄. If you’ve never had it, you’re in for a treat. If you have had it, just reading this will make your mouth water!

What makes this dish so irresistibly good?
The answer is simple: creamy layers, tender cabbage, sweet onion, melted cheddar, and a rich, buttery Ritz cracker topping that becomes golden and crispy in the oven. It’s inexpensive, comes together quickly, and uses pantry staples many people already have. Plus, it pairs beautifully with almost any main course — roasted meats, baked chicken, pork chops, fried foods, holiday ham, or even a weeknight rotisserie chicken.

Let’s dive deep into this iconic casserole and explore its roots, flavors, and charm — and then you’ll find your exact recipe (unchanged, only expanded for clarity) followed by a clean, printable recipe card at the end. 🌟

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🌾 A Little Background: Why Cabbage Works So Well

Cabbage has long been valued for being hearty, affordable, and versatile. It softens beautifully when baked and absorbs flavors like a sponge. When paired with creamy soups, butter, and cheese, it becomes velvety and comforting, transforming its humble nature into something indulgent and satisfying.

The use of Vidalia onion is a particularly lovely choice — sweet, tender, and mellow, it blends seamlessly into the other ingredients and adds depth without harshness. Vidalias are famous for being so sweet you can eat them like apples, and baking them amplifies that natural sweetness 🍯🧅.

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🧀 Creamy + Cheesy = Irresistible

This casserole uses a mixture of:

• Cream of chicken soup
• Mayonnaise
• Melted butter

This combination is a classic Southern base — rich, creamy, and flavorful. Some cooks use sour cream instead of mayonnaise, but mayo actually melts more smoothly and gives the dish a silky, custard-like texture that’s absolutely divine.

And then there’s the cheese.
Sharp cheddar is perfect here because its tangy bite cuts through the creaminess and balances the sweetness of the onion and cabbage. As it melts, it binds the topping together and creates that irresistible cheesy-buttery crust everyone fights over. 🧀✨

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🧈 The Famous Ritz Cracker Topping

If you grew up anywhere near the American South, you already know:
Ritz crackers belong on casseroles.

Their buttery flavor turns into a crunchy, golden topping when mixed with melted butter and cheese — and it’s simply heavenly. This topping transforms the casserole from a soft, comfort dish into something texturally exciting, with a crisp top and a tender, creamy interior.

Many cooks say this topping is the reason the casserole disappears first during potlucks. And honestly… they’re not wrong. 😋

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🔥 Baking It to Perfection

This casserole bakes at 350°F (175°C) — the classic, reliable casserole temperature. Forty-five minutes is the sweet spot: long enough to soften the cabbage, blend the flavors, melt the cheese, and toast the topping perfectly.

When it comes out of the oven, it should be:

• Bubbly around the edges
• Golden brown on top
• Slightly caramelized in the corners
• Soft but not watery

A brief rest helps the layers settle and makes serving easier.

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🍽️ How to Serve It

This casserole is incredibly versatile. It works as:

✔️ A side dish for:

• Roast chicken
• Baked ham
• Pork chops
• Meatloaf
• Turkey
• Fried chicken

✔️ A cozy vegetarian-leaning meal on its own (if you don’t mind the cream of chicken soup)

✔️ A potluck crowd-pleaser

Guaranteed to be scraped clean before anything else.

Many people also enjoy it with:

• Hot sauce 🌶️
• A sprinkle of paprika
• Fresh herbs like parsley or chives 🌿

But honestly, it doesn’t need anything else — it’s already perfect just the way it is.

Cheesy Cabbage Casserole Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 small cabbage, chopped
• 1 Vidalia onion, chopped
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 stick unsalted butter, melted (for the soup mixture)
• 1 stick unsalted butter, melted (for the topping)
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed
• Cooking spray (like Pam)

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Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven & Prepare Baking Dish

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Spray a baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.

2. Layer Cabbage and Onion

Spread the chopped cabbage evenly across the bottom of the prepared dish.
Scatter the chopped Vidalia onion over the cabbage, forming two layers.

3. Create the Creamy Mixture

In a mixing bowl, combine:

• Cream of chicken soup
• Mayonnaise
• 1/2 stick of melted butter

Stir until the mixture is completely smooth.
Spoon this mixture evenly over the onion layer, spreading gently to cover as much surface area as possible.

4. Prepare the Cheesy Cracker Topping

In a separate bowl, combine:

• Crushed Ritz crackers
• 1 stick of melted butter
• Shredded cheddar cheese

Mix until the crackers are thoroughly coated and the cheese is evenly distributed.
Spread this mixture over the creamy layer.

5. Bake

Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the casserole is bubbly.

6. Serve

Allow the casserole to cool for several minutes before serving to help it set.
Serve warm as a main dish or a hearty side.

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