Creamy Garlic Potato Bake with Bacon and Cabbage is a rich, satisfying casserole that brings comfort to any dinner table.
This dish combines tender sliced potatoes, wilted cabbage, crispy bacon, and fresh garlic all baked together with heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. The result is a golden, bubbly casserole with layers of flavor in every bite.
To make this recipe, you’ll need baking potatoes, savory cabbage, slab bacon, garlic, fresh chives, heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and butter.
The potatoes are sliced thin and layered with cheese and cream, while the cabbage is wilted with bacon and garlic for extra flavor. Everything bakes together until the top turns golden brown and the potatoes become tender.
This casserole serves six people and works well as a main course or a hearty side dish. It’s perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or Sunday meals. The prep time is minimal, and most of the work happens in the oven.
You can make this ahead of time and reheat it when you’re ready to serve. A casserole dish and a large mixing bowl are helpful for assembling the layers.
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Garlic Potato Bake with Bacon and Cabbage
Loaded with Flavor
Every layer of this casserole is packed with bacon, garlic, and Parmesan. The combination of crispy bacon and wilted cabbage adds a savory depth that makes this dish stand out.
Feeds a Crowd
This recipe serves six people and is easy to double if you’re hosting a larger group. It’s a complete meal in one dish.
Simple Ingredients
You won’t need any fancy or hard-to-find items. The recipe uses basic ingredients like potatoes, cabbage, bacon, cream, and cheese.
Makes Great Leftovers
This casserole reheats well and tastes just as good the next day. You can store it in the fridge and enjoy it throughout the week.
Minimal Prep Work
The hands-on time is only about 10 minutes. Once you layer everything in the casserole dish, the oven does the rest of the work.
Ingredient Substitutions
Cabbage
Swap savory cabbage for green cabbage or Napa cabbage. Both will wilt down and work well in this recipe.
Heavy Cream
Use half-and-half for a lighter version. The dish won’t be quite as rich, but it will still taste creamy and delicious.
Parmesan Cheese
Try Gruyere or sharp cheddar for a different flavor. Both melt well and add a nice cheesy layer.
Bacon
Use pancetta or turkey bacon if you prefer. Pancetta will give you a similar salty, rich taste.
Baking Potatoes
Substitute Yukon Gold potatoes for a creamier texture. They hold up well when sliced thin and baked.
Affiliate Disclosure: Some links provided may be affiliate links where I may earn a commission if you purchase something after clicking on a link. No extra cost is added to you. Also, as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made through links.
Creamy Garlic Potato Bake with Bacon and Cabbage
Ingredients
- 1 head savory cabbage cored, cleaned, and shredded
- 1 piece (2-inch) slab bacon thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoon unsalted butter plus more for greasing dish
- 4 cloves garlic finely chopped
- ¼ cup fresh chives finely chopped
- sea salt to taste
- fresh ground black pepper to taste
- 2 pounds baking potatoes unpeeled and thinly sliced (about ⅛-inch)
- 2½ cups heavy cream
- 2 cups grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Shred the cabbage into thin pieces.
- Cut the bacon into ½-inch chunks.
- Place a small skillet over medium-low heat and cook the bacon until crisp.
- Remove the bacon from the pan with a slotted spoon and place on paper towels to drain, then set aside.
- Add 1 tablespoon butter to the bacon fat in the skillet.
- When the butter melts, add half of the garlic and stir with a wooden spoon to soften.
- Add the cabbage and coat it with the butter mixture. Cook the cabbage slowly until it wilts.
- Add the bacon to the cabbage and mix. Season with salt and black pepper.
- Remove the skillet from heat and add most of the chives, saving a little for garnish.
- Spread butter on the bottom and sides of a casserole dish.
- In a large bowl, combine the potatoes, 1½ cups of cream, 1 cup of Parmesan, and the remaining garlic. Season with salt and black pepper.
- Place a layer of potatoes in the casserole dish. Sprinkle Parmesan over the potatoes.
- Add 2 more layers of potatoes and Parmesan.
- Spoon the cabbage mixture on top and spread it evenly over the potatoes.
- Add 2 more layers of potatoes and Parmesan on top of the cabbage.
- Pour the remaining 1 cup of cream over the dish. Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan on top.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil. Bake for 1 hour.
- Remove the foil and bake for 30 minutes until golden brown.
- Let the dish rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chives.
Notes
Tips and Tricks
Slice Potatoes Evenly – Use a mandoline or sharp knife to slice the potatoes to about ⅛-inch thick. Even slices help the potatoes cook at the same rate. Don’t Skip the Resting Time – Let the casserole sit for 10 minutes after baking. This helps the layers set and makes serving easier. Save Some Bacon Fat – The bacon fat adds flavor to the cabbage. Don’t drain it all before adding the butter and garlic. Layer Carefully – Press down gently on each potato layer to help them stick together. This creates a more cohesive casserole. Check for Doneness – Insert a knife into the center of the casserole. If it slides through the potatoes easily, the dish is ready. Adjust Seasoning – Taste the cabbage mixture before adding it to the casserole. Add more salt or pepper if needed.Storing and Reheating
Store in Refrigerator – Place leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheat in Oven – Cover the casserole dish with foil and bake at 350 degrees F for 20 to 25 minutes until warmed through. Reheat Individual Servings – Place a portion in a microwave-safe dish and heat on medium power for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring halfway through. Freeze for Later – Wrap the cooled casserole tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.Nutrition
You May also Like:
- Garlic Potato Bake with Bacon and Cabbage
- Hearty Italian Beef Ragu With Penne
- High Protein Shrimp Scampi for an Easy Dinner
- Oven Baked Red Potatoes with Parmesan and Thyme
- Homemade Ham and Cheese Pasta Casserole
