Cabbage Roll Casserole (Delicious Family Recipe)
This easy and budget-friendly lazy cabbage roll casserole has layers of ground beef, making it cheesy and satisfying. It's got all the flavors of cabbage rolls without the fuss of rolling them up in the kitchen.
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INGREDIENTS
- 1 pound ground beef , or mixed ground meat
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 ½ teaspoons fresh garlic, minced
- ¼ teaspoon cajun spice
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1 tablespoon white sugar , or brown sugar or substitute with ½ tablespoon liquid sweetener of choice
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce or puree, or tomato soup
- 1 can (15 oz) chopped tomatoes , in liquid
- 1 ½ cup cooked brown rice, or white rice
- 3 tablespoon olive oil, divided
- 6 cups green cabbage, cut into 1 or 1 ½ inches cubes
- ¼ cup water
- 1 cup carrot, medium grated
- 1 cup mozzarella, grated
- 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- dill or parsley for serving
INSTRUCTIONS
- Let's start by heating olive oil in a medium-sized skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot and shimmering, cook the onion until softened (about a minute) and add the carrot. Allow the mixture to cook for an additional minute.1 medium yellow onion, 3 tablespoon olive oil, 1 cup carrot
- Brown the beef in a skillet, using a spatula to break it apart as it cooks. Cook it until no longer pink but not cooked through entirely (the beef will continue to cook in the casserole later). Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for another minute. If there is excess liquid from the meat, drain it before proceeding.1 pound ground beef, 1 ½ teaspoons fresh garlic
- Place all the seasonings in the skillet: black pepper, sugar, salt, sweet paprika, and Cajun seasoning. Then, add the tomato sauce and chopped tomatoes. Stir to combine all the ingredients.¼ teaspoon cajun spice, 1 teaspoon sweet paprika, 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce or puree, 1 can (15 oz) chopped tomatoes, 1 teaspoon salt or to taste, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 1 tablespoon white sugar
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the mixture simmer for 10 minutes - taste for additional salt and pepper.
- While the mixture is simmering, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare an 8x11-inch or 2-quart casserole dish by spraying it with cooking oil.
- Remove the skillet from the heat and transfer the beef mixture to a deep pot or large Dutch oven. Mix in the cooked rice and adjust the seasoning with salt and black pepper to taste. Set aside.1 ½ cup cooked brown rice, 1 teaspoon salt or to taste, ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Clean the skillet or pot and heat the remaining tablespoon of oil over medium heat. Add the chopped cabbage with ¼ cup of water, then simmer until the cabbage softens and the water evaporates. Once cooked, transfer half of the cabbage to the prepared baking dish.6 cups green cabbage, ¼ cup water
- Layer the cabbage with the beef and rice mixture, repeating the process for a second layer. Ensure the top layer is even, then sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.1 cup mozzarella
- Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for 20 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Optionally, broil for 1-2 minutes to achieve a golden brown cheese topping.
- Garnish with dill, parsley, and a dollop of sour cream before serving.dill or parsley for serving
VIDEO
NOTES
- Timing: With proper planning and ingredient prep, this casserole takes just a few minutes to throw together!
- Note: The longer the casserole sits, the more liquid the rice will absorb. If you can, make it fresh, it is better.
- I prefer my cabbage slices larger, about 1 ½ inches cubes. It just tastes juicier this way. This cabbage roll casserole will bake perfectly with thinner and "coleslaw" style cabbage, too.
- By the end of cooking, there will be some iquid will be in the bottom of the dish; this is normal. You can leave it as is, or if you prefer, carefully tilt the dish to drain the excess liquid into the sink.
- To Reheat: When ready to bake, allow the casserole to thaw in the fridge for a day or so. Remove the wrap and bake at 350°F for 20 minutes; add cheese and bake again until cheese is melted.
- To Make Ahead:
- Assemble: Follow the recipe until layering in the dish before baking.
- Cool: Let it cool to room temperature; avoid putting a hot dish in the fridge.
- Cover: Seal with plastic wrap or foil to preserve freshness.
- Refrigerate: Store in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
- Bake: Preheat the oven according to the recipe, then allow the dish to sit at room temperature for 15-30 minutes.
- Cook: Follow the original recipe instructions.
ADD YOUR OWN PRIVATE NOTES
NUTRITION
Calories: 319kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 23gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 62mgSodium: 200mgPotassium: 543mgFiber: 4gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 3965IUVitamin C: 28mgCalcium: 148mgIron: 3mg
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