If you love cozy European comfort food but want to keep things low-carb and keto-friendly, this Keto Bacon-Cabbage Cottage Cheese Bake, inspired by traditional Babses Krautkuchen, is the perfect recipe. It’s rich, savory, creamy, and deeply satisfying—without flour, sugar, or unnecessary carbs.

This dish takes the soul of old-world cabbage pie and transforms it into a keto, high-protein casserole that works beautifully for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or even brunch.

What Is Babses Krautkuchen?

Krautkuchen is a traditional German-style cabbage cake or pie, often made with:

White cabbage
Bacon or pork
Onions

Eggs
A flour-based batter or crust

“Babses” refers to a regional or family-style version—rustic, hearty, and home-cooked. Traditionally, Krautkuchen is baked until golden and served warm, sometimes with sour cream or herbs.

This keto version removes the flour entirely and replaces it with:

Cottage cheese (blended for creaminess)
Eggs for structure

Bacon for richness and flavor

The result is a low-carb cabbage bake that stays true to its roots while fitting perfectly into a keto lifestyle.

Why You’ll Love This Keto Krautkuchen

This recipe checks all the boxes:

Keto & low-carb
High in protein
Naturally gluten-free

Deeply savory and filling
Simple, affordable ingredients
Perfect for leftovers

Even if you’re not strictly keto, this dish is incredibly comforting and satisfying.

Why Cabbage Is Perfect for Keto Baking

Cabbage is one of the most underrated keto vegetables.

Keto Benefits of Cabbage

Low in net carbs

High in fiber
Naturally sweet when cooked
Absorbs flavors beautifully

When sautéed properly, cabbage becomes tender, lightly caramelized, and perfect for baked dishes like this one.

The Role of Cottage Cheese in This Recipe

Cottage cheese is the secret ingredient that makes this bake creamy without flour or cream.

Why Cottage Cheese Works

High in protein

Low in carbs (especially full-fat versions)
Becomes smooth and custardy when baked
Lightens the texture without drying it out

Blending the cottage cheese ensures a silky, unified batter that binds the cabbage and bacon together.

Ingredients Overview

This recipe uses simple, traditional ingredients with a keto twist.

Main Ingredients

White or green cabbage

Bacon (thick-cut preferred)
Cottage cheese (full-fat, blended)
Eggs

Flavor Builders

Onion or shallot (small amount, optional)
Garlic
Salt and black pepper

Caraway seeds or nutmeg (traditional but optional)

Optional Add-Ins

Shredded cheese (Gruyère, Emmental, or cheddar)
Fresh parsley or chives

A touch of mustard for depth

Choosing the Best Bacon

Bacon is essential to the flavor of Krautkuchen.

Best Options

Thick-cut bacon

Smoked bacon for deeper flavor
Pork belly cubes (traditional alternative)

Cook the bacon until just crisp—too crispy and it can become dry after baking.

How to Make Keto Bacon-Cabbage Cottage Cheese Bake

Step 1: Prepare the Cabbage

Thinly slice cabbage and remove the tough core. Lightly salt and set aside to release moisture.

Step 2: Cook the Bacon

Cook bacon until golden and slightly crisp. Remove and reserve the fat.

Step 3: Sauté the Cabbage

In the bacon fat, sauté cabbage (and onions if using) until soft and lightly caramelized. Let cool slightly.

Step 4: Blend the Cottage Cheese

Blend cottage cheese until completely smooth—this is key for texture.

Step 5: Make the Batter

Whisk eggs, blended cottage cheese, seasoning, and optional spices until well combined.

Step 6: Combine

Fold cabbage and bacon into the batter until evenly distributed.

Step 7: Bake

Transfer to a greased baking dish and bake until set, golden, and slightly puffed.

Step 8: Rest & Serve

Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing—this helps it hold together.

Texture & Flavor Profile

This bake is:

Creamy and custardy inside
Savory and smoky from bacon
Lightly sweet from cooked cabbage

Rich but not heavy

It slices cleanly and reheats beautifully.

Traditional vs Keto Krautkuchen

Feature	Traditional	Keto Version
Flour	Yes	No
Carbs	High	Very low
Texture	Bready	Custardy
Protein	Moderate	High
Gluten-free	No	Yes

This keto version keeps the spirit of Krautkuchen while making it modern and diet-friendly.

Pro Tips for Perfect Results

Salt cabbage lightly and drain excess liquid
Blend cottage cheese fully
Season generously—cabbage needs salt

Do not overbake or it may dry out
Let it rest before slicing

Delicious Variations

Extra Cheesy Keto Krautkuchen

Add shredded Gruyère or Emmental for a richer bake.

Spicy Version

Add chili flakes or smoked paprika.

Herb-Forward

Add dill, parsley, or chives for freshness.

Crustless Quiche Style

Bake in a pie dish and serve with salad.

What to Serve with Bacon-Cabbage Bake

This dish pairs beautifully with:

Simple cucumber salad
Keto coleslaw

Sour cream or crème fraîche
Mustard or horseradish sauce

It works for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheating

Make Ahead

Assemble fully and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.

Storage

Refrigerate leftovers up to 4 days.

Reheating

Reheat gently in oven or skillet.

Microwave works but oven keeps best texture.

Freezing Instructions

Freeze baked slices individually.
Wrap tightly.

Thaw overnight before reheating.

Texture remains excellent due to the egg-based structure.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Skipping cabbage sautéing

Using watery cottage cheese without blending
Under-seasoning
Baking too long

Avoid these and your Krautkuchen will be perfect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is cottage cheese keto?

Yes—especially full-fat versions in moderation.

Can I use ricotta instead?

Yes, but cottage cheese is leaner and higher in protein.

Does this taste like cabbage?

It tastes savory and balanced, not overpowering.

Is this good for meal prep?

Absolutely—it reheats very well.

Why This Recipe Works

This dish succeeds because:

Eggs provide structure
Cottage cheese adds creaminess and protein
Bacon delivers fat and flavor

Cabbage gives body and subtle sweetness

It’s a perfect example of keto comfort food done right.

Final Thoughts

This Keto Bacon-Cabbage Cottage Cheese Bake (Babses Krautkuchen) is a beautiful blend of tradition and modern nutrition. It’s hearty, nostalgic, and deeply satisfying—proof that keto food can still feel like home cooking.

If you love rustic European flavors and want a low-carb, high-protein casserole, this recipe deserves a spot in your regular rotation.

Keto Bacon-Cabbage Cottage Cheese Bake (Babses Krautkuchen)

Author: WAFA LI

Print Recipe

Instructions

Prep: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13″ baking dish or deep oven-safe skillet.
Cook bacon: In a large skillet, cook chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon; set aside. Reserve 1 tbsp drippings.
Sauté veggies: In same skillet, heat reserved drippings. Add cabbage and onion; cook 8–10 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and caraway seeds; cook 1 minute more. Cool slightly.

Make batter: In a large bowl, whisk cottage cheese, eggs, heavy cream, salt, pepper, and optional spices until smooth.
Combine: Fold in cooked cabbage mixture and most of the bacon (reserve some for topping).
Bake: Pour into prepared dish. Top with reserved bacon. Bake 35–40 minutes, until golden and center is set (a toothpick should come out clean).

Rest 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs.

💡 Pro Tips:
– For extra richness, stir in ½ cup shredded Gruyère or sharp cheddar.
– Make ahead: Assemble (unbaked) up to 1 day ahead; refrigerate and bake as directed.
– Serve with a dollop of sour cream or a side salad for a complete keto meal.

Prep Time & Nutrition (per serving, serves 6):