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A delicious serving of cabbage roll casserole topped with cheese and herbs.

Cabbage Roll Casserole

This delightful Cabbage Roll Casserole delivers all the classic flavors of traditional stuffed cabbage rolls, but in a much easier, layer-it-up format. Perfect for family dinners or meal prep, it's a hearty meal that everyone can enjoy.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Comfort Food
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 2 pounds lean ground beef
  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium head green cabbage, chopped into 1-inch pieces
  • 2 cups cooked white rice
  • 2 cans (15 ounces each) tomato sauce
  • 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1/2 cup beef broth
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar (optional, for balance)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and chopped onion until the beef is browned and the onion is translucent. Drain any excess fat.
  3. Add the minced garlic, salt, pepper, thyme, and paprika to the skillet. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, beef broth, brown sugar, and lemon juice.
Assembly
  1. Spread half of the chopped cabbage in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
  2. Top the cabbage with the cooked beef mixture and the cooked rice. Spread it out evenly.
  3. Layer the remaining cabbage over the meat and rice.
  4. Pour the tomato sauce mixture evenly over the entire casserole. Press down slightly with a spoon to make sure the sauce settles into the layers.
  5. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 45 to 50 minutes.
  6. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cabbage is very tender and the sauce is bubbling.
  7. Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley.

Notes

Make sure to chop the cabbage into bite-sized pieces for even cooking. Feel free to add other vegetables, like bell peppers or carrots, to boost nutrition. Adjust the seasonings to your taste; a dash of hot sauce can spice things up!
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