Cheesy Cabbage Chorizo Casserole (Gluten-Free, Low-Carb, One-Skillet Dinner)

STEP 1. Using a large skillet saute onions in olive oil until lightly caramelized. About 5 minutes

STEP 2. Turn up the heat to high and add chorizo meat. Cook while breaking up with a wooden spatula until no longer pink

STEP 3. Stir in tomato sauce and cream until combined. The Sauce That Makes This Dish.

STEP 4. Remove the skillet from the heat and top with a mixture of cabbage and carrots. Lightly season with salt and pepper. Cover the skillet with a lid or foil paper and bake for 45 minutes at 375 F.

Seasoning and Finishing the Casserole

You don’t need to go heavy on the salt and pepper here because the chorizo already brings a lot of rich, built-in flavour, and it all gets balanced once the cabbage and carrots are mixed in later with the sauce. The cheese makes it all come together.

By this point, your kitchen will smell incredible, it’s hard to wait for dinner. Just lift the lid, stir the softened cabbage and carrots into the chorizo mixture, then finish it off with a generous layer of your favourite good melting cheese and bake. (see complete recipe below)

The Secret to the Texture

The key to this casserole is ensuring the vegetables tenderize evenly while maintaining a slight bite.

• The Cabbage: Using a mandoline or a very sharp chef’s knife to thinly slice the cabbage ensures it wilts perfectly into the chorizo drippings, absorbing all that smoky spice without becoming mushy.

• The Carrots: Julienning the carrots isn’t just for looks; those matchstick-sized pieces provide a delicate crunch that mirrors the shape of the sliced cabbage, creating a cohesive forkful every time.

Easy gluten-free chorizo recipe  

1 lb. ground pork (you can also use ground beef, turkey or chicken)

1 Tbsp. GF paprika

1 Tbsp. GF chilli powder

1/2 tsp. GF garlic powder

2 tsp. GF dried oregano

2 tsp. GF ground cumin

1 tsp. GF dried coriander

1/4 tsp. GF ground cloves

GF cayenne pepper to taste (optional)

1 tsp. Sea salt

1 Tbsp. Lime juice or apple cider vinegar

In a large bowl, mix pork with spices and lime juice/apple cider vinegar until well combined. The chorizo meat is now ready to be used in the recipe.

I used certified gluten-free chorizo meat which I purchased from Whole Foods, because I wanted to keep this recipe super simple. But when. I have more time, I always make fresh chorizo sausage meat.

Serving Ideas:

This casserole dinner recipe is gluten-free and low carb. You can add a light salad or serve it over garlic cauliflower mash. Or, serve this chorizo dish with scrambled eggs for brunch. So delicious!

Are you feeling hungry? Or have big appetites to feed? Serve this cheesy cabbage chorizo dish over rice, mashed potatoes or fries. And be sure to save this Mexican-inspired recipe for Cinco de Mayo!

You may also enjoy these gluten-free easy casseroles: