Back in the 70’s there was Guy Welliver’s Smorgasboard in Hagerstown, Indiana. It’s gone now, but back in the day they had the most wonderful food, we went on special occasions and it was unlike any smorgasbord you’ve ever eaten at. Everything homemade, delicious midwestern dishes, homemade breads, the most decadent desserts and their specialty, Scalloped Cabbage.
It was hubby’s very favorite dish, the man just adored it. It was a simple dish, cooked cabbage, a Bechamel sauce, lots of cheese and toasted buttered crumbs on top.
I recreated it in my kitchen and it has been a favorite ever since. It can be made ahead and baked at the last minute, it travels well, it’s just a great comfort food cabbage recipe.
4 cups cabbage, coarsely chopped
2 Tablespoons butter
2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 cup milk
8 ounces Velveeta Cheese, cubed
Boil cabbage in a dutch oven with salted water until tender, this takes approximately 15 minutes. I have on occasion used chicken stock instead of water for a richer flavor.
Meanwhile, prepare the white sauce. Melt butter over low heat, stir in flour, salt and pepper, cook over medium heat stirring constantly until smooth and bubbly, remove from heat.
Gradually stir in milk, heat to boiling, stirring constantly (a whisk works well); drop in the chunks of Velveeta and boil and stir 1 minute.
Pour drained cabbage in a 9” casserole, pour cheese sauce over the top and top with buttered bread crumbs.
Buttered Crumbs:
1 cup breadcrumbs (pulse torn pieces of bread in a food processor until fine
2-3 Tablespoons melted butter
Mix together and sprinkle over the top of the cabbage
Bake in a 375 oven approximately 30 minutes until casserole is bubbly and crumbs are brown
Note: I’m a huge fan of Velveeta for cheese sauces. I find that cheddar separates and is oily, but Velveeta melts into a Bechamel sauce beautifully.
Also, if you like a lot of sauce you might want to double the Bechamel. This is one of those recipes that you just play with and make it your own ~ Jan
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