I Make This 5-Ingredient Cabbage “Lasagna” All the Time

It’s a one-pot recipe that’s hearty, cozy, and satisfying.

By
Amanda Luchtel
Amanda Luchtel
Amanda Luchtel
Amanda Luchtel is a private chef, food writer, editor, recipe developer, and content creator from the Midwest, based in New England. As a former fine-dining and private chef, she understands the impact food has on our daily lives. Over the years, she has developed a passion for seasonal and regional cooking.
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Published October 27, 2025
Amanda Luchtel
Braised cabbage lasagna in a pot with a wooden spoon

Simply Recipes / Ali Redmond

My husband might call me the queen of cabbage. I love teaching people how to transform a humble head of it—perhaps one that’s been sitting in the back of your fridge for a while, no judgement—into an unexpected meal. That's the beauty of cabbage, isn't it? It's there for you when you need it. 

I call this dish, a favorite in our household, cabbage “lasagna.” It’s made with chunks of green cabbage braised with Italian sausage and jarred marinara sauce. The “lasagna” part comes from mozzarella and ricotta cheeses that are layered on top before being popped under the broiler. The prep and ingredients are minimal, and the results are hearty and satisfying. 

Two plates of braised cabbage lasagna with toasted bread and a side of red pepper flakes in a small bowl

Simply Recipes / Ali Redmond

Tips for Making My 5-Ingredient Braised Cabbage Lasagna:

  • Build flavor using Italian sausage. Whether you choose spicy or sweet, Italian sausage usually also contains fennel seeds, garlic powder, onion powder, and a variety of herbs. You get all the flavor you need for the foundation of a hearty, flavorful meat sauce in just one ingredient. Pre-ground bulk Italian sausage makes things quick and easy, but if you can’t find it, use fresh Italian sausage links with the casings removed.
  • Precook the cabbage. Wilting the cabbage before adding the tomato products helps it to cook faster. Acidic ingredients like tomatoes can keep cabbage firmer for longer, which extends its cooking time.
  • Add garlic. While the jarred pasta sauce and sausage contribute a lot of flavor to this recipe, adding chopped garlic to the cabbage as it wilts seasons it nicely. It’s optional, but I recommend it.
  • Use your favorite jarred pasta sauce. Reach for your favorite tomato-based pasta sauce here, like marinara or arrabbiata sauce. My favorite is Mezzetta Spicy Marinara. To give your sauce even more oomph, you can also add 1 tablespoon of tomato paste to the pot along with the cabbage in step 3.
  • Get cheesy. Pre-shredded whole milk cheeses can be used here, if you like; mozzarella, an Italian cheese blend, or a pizza blend will all work well. I prefer thick or traditional shredded cheese over finely-shredded, but either will work. You can also swap in full-fat or low-fat cottage cheese for the ricotta, if desired. 
Cooked lasagna with layers of cheese and cabbage in a pot served with a wooden spoon

Simply Recipes / Ali Redmond

Serving Suggestions

I love serving this meal with hunks of crusty bread, or slices of garlic bread would be great if you’re feeling ambitious. If you want to dress up your serving, a sprinkle of red pepper flakes, grated parmesan cheese, or some freshly chopped parsley or basil are all delicious here.

More Cabbage Favorites

5-Ingredient Braised Cabbage “Lasagna”

Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 50 mins
Total Time 55 mins
Servings 6 servings
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Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • 1 pound sweet or hot bulk Italian sausage

  • 1 medium head green cabbage (about 2 pounds), halved, cored, and cut into 1-inch pieces (10 to 12 cups)

  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced, optional

  • 1 (24 or 25-ounce) jar marinara or arrabiata sauce

  • 1 cup (8 ounces) whole-milk ricotta cheese

  • 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded whole-milk mozzarella cheese

  • Crusty bread, for serving, optional

Method

  1. Prep the oven rack:

    Using a large Dutch oven as a guide, adjust the oven rack so the top of the Dutch oven is about 5 inches away from the broiler element.

    Simple Tip!

    Setting the oven rack while the Dutch oven is empty makes it easier to place it in the right spot later (when the Dutch oven will be full and heavy!).

  2. Cook the sausage:

    Add the oil to the Dutch oven and heat over medium heat on the stovetop until shimmering. Add the sausage and cook, stirring to break apart the meat, until no longer pink, 5 to 7 minutes.

    Ground meat browning in a pot with a wooden spoon for the 5-Ingredient Braised Cabbage “Lasagna” recipe

    Simply Recipes / Ali Redmond
  3. Wilt the cabbage:

    Add the cabbage, salt, and garlic, if using. Cook until the garlic is fragrant, about 1 minute, stirring to break apart any large pieces of cabbage. Cover the pot with a lid and cook, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage is wilted, about 10 minutes.

    A pot containing cabbage wilting and some ground meat and a wooden spoon for the5-Ingredient Braised Cabbage “Lasagna” recipe part of a dish preparation

    Simply Recipes / Ali Redmond
  4. Add the sauce and braise:

    Stir in the tomato sauce. Reduce the heat to medium-low and continue to cook, covered, stirring and scraping the bottom of the pot occasionally, until the cabbage is very tender, about 30 minutes.

  5. Add the cheese:

    Remove the pot from the heat. Taste the cabbage mixture and season with more salt as desired. Dollop the ricotta evenly over the top. Sprinkle the mozzarella over the ricotta.

    Cabbage lasagna getting cooked in a pot layers with ricotta cheese being added for the 5-Ingredient Braised Cabbage “Lasagna” recipe

    Simply Recipes / Ali Redmond
  6. Broil:

    Heat the broiler on high. Transfer the Dutch oven to the oven and broil until the cheese is evenly browned, 2 to 5 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving with crusty bread, if desired. 

    Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat individual servings in the microwave, covered, until heated through.

    Love the recipe? Leave us stars and a comment below!

    Braised cabbage lasagna in a green pot topped with dollops of ricotta cheese cooling on a wire rack

    Simply Recipes / Ali Redmond
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
535 Calories
38g Fat
23g Carbs
27g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories 535
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 38g 48%
Saturated Fat 15g 76%
Cholesterol 84mg 28%
Sodium 1436mg 62%
Total Carbohydrate 23g 8%
Dietary Fiber 5g 19%
Total Sugars 12g
Protein 27g
Vitamin C 59mg 297%
Calcium 388mg 30%
Iron 2mg 13%
Potassium 960mg 20%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.