Description
Cabbage Roll Casserole is a delightful and comforting dish that captures the classic flavors of traditional cabbage rolls without the hassle of rolling. Perfect for busy weeknights or family gatherings, this casserole combines layers of savory ground beef, tender cabbage, aromatic spices, and gooey melted cheese. It’s a budget-friendly meal that’s easy to prepare and can be customized to suit your family’s tastes. Simply layer your ingredients in a casserole dish and let the oven do the work! This recipe is ideal for meal prep as it reheats beautifully, making it a favorite for potlucks and casual dinners alike.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef
- 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
- 1 can (15 oz) chopped tomatoes
- 1 ½ cup cooked brown rice
- 3 tablespoon olive oil (divided)
- 6 cups green cabbage (cut into 1 or 1 ½ inches cubes)
- 1/4 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
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté diced onion until softened, then add grated carrot and cook for an additional minute.
- Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart as it browns. Stir in minced garlic and drain excess liquid if necessary.
- Mix in seasonings—salt, pepper, sugar, paprika, and Cajun spice—followed by tomato sauce and chopped tomatoes. Simmer for about 10 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and prepare your casserole dish with cooking spray.
- Combine the beef mixture with cooked rice and adjust seasoning.
- Cook chopped cabbage with water until softened; layer half in the casserole dish followed by half of the beef-rice mix. Repeat layering, finishing with cheese on top.
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes; uncover and bake an additional 20 minutes until cheese is bubbly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 70mg