Description
This cozy stuffed cabbage roll casserole combines ground beef, hearty cabbage, rice, and flavorful tomato sauce for a comforting, all-in-one baked dish. It simplifies classic cabbage rolls into a layered casserole that’s perfect for family dinners and freezes well for meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 2 lbs lean ground beef (substitute with ground turkey or pork for variation)
Vegetables
- 3.5 lbs green cabbage, cored and coarsely chopped (savoy cabbage can be used for a sweeter flavor)
- 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped (about 1 cup)
Grains
- 1 cup long grain white rice, uncooked (brown rice can be used with longer cooking time)
Liquids & Sauces
- 28 oz tomato sauce (or crushed tomatoes as an alternative)
- 3.5 cups beef broth (vegetable broth can be used for a lighter version)
Seasonings
- 1 tsp fine sea salt (adjust to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Brown the beef: In a large nonstick skillet, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until fully browned and crumbly, about 8-10 minutes. Drain any excess fat to keep the dish lean.
- Mix ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the coarsely chopped cabbage, finely chopped onion, uncooked rice, salt, tomato sauce, and the browned beef. Stir thoroughly so the mixture is evenly blended.
- Transfer to baking dish: Spread the cabbage and beef mixture evenly into a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Pour the beef broth over the top to add moisture for cooking.
- Bake covered: Tightly cover the baking dish with foil or a lid, then bake in the preheated oven for 60 minutes to allow the cabbage to soften and the rice to cook through.
- Stir and continue baking: Remove the cover, gently stir the casserole, then recover and bake for an additional 20-30 minutes until the cabbage is tender and the rice is fully cooked.
- Rest and serve: Take the casserole out of the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving hot for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or pork for the beef to change up the flavor and nutritional profile.
- Savoy cabbage offers a sweeter, more delicate texture if you prefer over green cabbage.
- Using brown rice will require increasing the baking time to ensure it’s fully cooked.
- Vegetable broth is a good alternative for a lighter, less meaty casserole.
- Seal the dish tightly during baking to trap moisture and cook the rice evenly.
- This casserole reheats well and freezes nicely for meal prepping.
