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Cabbage Roll Casserole is a simple, hearty dinner.

This Cabbage Roll Casserole offers all the traditional flavors of stuffed cabbage rolls in an easy, deconstructed bake. Featuring savory ground meat, tender cabbage, and a tangy tomato sauce, it is a comforting and hearty meal perfect for family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 medium head of green cabbage, chopped
  • 1 pound ground beef or turkey
  • 1 cup cooked rice (white or brown)
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
  • 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add chopped cabbage and blanch for 3-5 minutes until tender-crisp. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground meat. Drain excess fat.
  4. Add diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet, cooking for 3-4 minutes until fragrant.
  5. In a large bowl, combine the meat mixture, cooked rice, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.
  6. In a greased 9x13-inch baking dish, layer half of the cabbage, then half of the meat mixture. Repeat layers, ending with cabbage.
  7. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese if desired. Cover with aluminum foil.
  8. Bake for 45 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 15 minutes until bubbly and golden.
  9. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • To save time, use a bag of pre-shredded coleslaw mix instead of a whole head of cabbage.
  • You can substitute the white rice with cauliflower rice for a lower-carb option.
  • Ensure the meat is fully drained to prevent the casserole from becoming too oily.
  • The brown sugar helps balance the acidity of the tomatoes but can be omitted if preferred.

Nutrition

Keywords: Cabbage Roll Casserole, Unstuffed Cabbage, Ground Beef Casserole, Hearty Dinner, Comfort Food