Creating Cheesy Cabbage Casserole is a breeze when you follow these steps:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Prepare Cabbage: In a large pot, bring water to a boil and blanch the chopped cabbage for 3-4 minutes until tender. Drain and set aside.
3. Mix Cheese Filling: In a large bowl, combine the shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, chopped onion, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and paprika. Mix well until fully combined.
4. Combine Cabbage and Cheese: Add the blanched cabbage to the cheese mixture and stir until the cabbage is well coated.
5. Add Protein (Optional): If using, fold in the cooked ground beef or sausage for an extra layer of flavor.
6. Prepare Baking Dish: Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
7. Transfer Mixture: Pour the cabbage and cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.
8. Prepare Cracker Topping: In a small bowl, combine the crushed crackers with melted butter. Mix until the crackers are coated.
9. Top Casserole: Sprinkle the cracker mixture evenly over the cabbage casserole.
10. Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
11. Cool: Remove from the oven and let it cool for about 10 minutes before serving.

These steps will guide you in creating this incredible cheesy dish effortlessly.