This Stuffed Cabbage Casserole is a total game-changer! Imagine the classic stuffed cabbage rolls we all know and love, but made so much easier as a casserole. With tender cabbage, savory ground meat, a rich tomato sauce, and a blend of spices, every bite is pure comfort. It’s like the ultimate cozy, feel-good dinner that takes you back to family gatherings and warm kitchens.
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If you’re looking for a dish that’s both hearty and comforting, this is your new go-to. Plus, it’s super simple to throw together, making it perfect for busy nights when you crave something filling but don’t want to spend all day in the kitchen. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll be hooked!
Why You’ll Love Stuffed Cabbage Casserole
This recipe isn’t just about the ingredients—it’s about making life easier without sacrificing flavor. Here’s why you’ll love this casserole:
Comfort in Every Bite: It’s the taste of your favorite stuffed cabbage rolls without all the rolling and stuffing. Tender cabbage, hearty meat, and rich sauce make for the perfect comfort food.
Easy to Make: No rolling, no fuss. Just layer and bake. It’s simple, quick, and satisfying.
Meal Prep Friendly: This casserole stores and reheats beautifully, making it ideal for leftovers or meal prepping.
Perfect for Feeding a Crowd: Whether it’s a weeknight dinner or a casual get-together, this dish can easily feed a group and will keep everyone coming back for seconds.
Ingredients in Stuffed Cabbage Casserole
(Note: full ingredient measurements will be in the recipe card below.)
Cabbage: The perfect base for this dish. Fresh cabbage leaves are softened in the cooking process, absorbing all the savory flavors.
Ground Meat (Beef or Turkey): The meat adds richness and protein to the casserole. Feel free to use your preferred choice—beef is classic, but turkey works beautifully for a lighter option.
Onion & Garlic: These aromatics give the casserole its savory backbone. They get sautéed until soft and fragrant, adding that delicious base flavor.
Tomato Sauce & Tomato Paste: These add a rich, tangy flavor to the casserole and bring everything together in a comforting, saucy embrace.
Rice: A perfect binder for the casserole, it adds texture and absorbs all the juicy goodness from the sauce.
Seasonings (Salt, Pepper, Paprika, Dried Herbs): These give the casserole its depth of flavor and a little heat. You can adjust these to your liking for extra kick.
Cheese (Optional): A sprinkle of cheese on top can make the casserole even more irresistible, adding a nice melty finish.
Instructions
Ready to make some magic happen? Let’s dive into the steps!
Prepare the Cabbage: Start by removing the outer leaves of the cabbage and cutting it into wedges. Boil in salted water for about 5-7 minutes until softened. Drain and set aside.
Cook the Meat: In a large skillet, brown the ground meat over medium heat. Add diced onion and minced garlic, cooking until the onion is soft and translucent.
Mix the Filling: Stir in cooked rice, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and seasonings. Simmer for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Layer the Casserole: In a greased baking dish, start by layering cabbage leaves at the bottom. Top with a generous layer of the meat and rice mixture. Repeat the process, layering until everything is used up.
Bake to Perfection: Cover with foil and bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 45-50 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes to let the top brown and become bubbly.
Serve and Enjoy: Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy it as is or with a side of crusty bread for dipping!
Nutrition Facts
Servings: [To be added based on servings]
Calories per serving: [To be added based on ingredients]
Preparation Time
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
How to Serve Stuffed Cabbage Casserole
This casserole is hearty enough to stand on its own, but it’s always nice to pair it with something fresh and light:
Fresh Salad: A light, crisp salad with a tangy vinaigrette is the perfect balance to this rich and savory casserole.
Garlic Bread: Serve with warm, buttery garlic bread to soak up all the delicious sauce.
Roasted Vegetables: Roasted carrots, zucchini, or green beans make for a lovely side that adds color and nutrients to the meal.
A Dollop of Sour Cream: Add a creamy touch on top of each serving of casserole for extra richness and flavor.
Additional Tips
Make Ahead: You can assemble this casserole a day in advance, store it in the fridge, and bake it when you’re ready. It’s great for busy nights or meal prepping!
Freezer-Friendly: This casserole freezes beautifully. Just assemble, cover tightly, and freeze. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking.
Cheese Variation: If you like cheesy casseroles, sprinkle shredded cheese on top during the last 10 minutes of baking for a melty, golden finish.
Rice Substitute: If you don’t have rice, try quinoa or cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.
Spice It Up: Add a dash of hot sauce or crushed red pepper flakes for a little extra heat.
FAQ Section
Q1: Can I make this dish ahead of time?
A1: Yes! Assemble the casserole, cover it, and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Bake it when you’re ready to serve.
Q2: Can I use ground chicken or pork instead of beef?
A2: Absolutely! Ground chicken or pork works great in this recipe.
Q3: Can I freeze this casserole?
A3: Yes, you can! Freeze the assembled casserole before baking. Just thaw in the fridge overnight and bake as directed.
Q4: Can I use cooked rice instead of uncooked?
A4: Yes! Just reduce the cooking time slightly since the rice is already cooked.
Q5: How do I store leftovers?
A5: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven for best results.
Q6: Can I add other vegetables?
A6: Of course! Mushrooms, bell peppers, or even spinach would be a lovely addition to the casserole.
Q7: How do I reheat leftovers?
A7: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.
Q8: Can I make this dish vegetarian?
A8: Yes! Substitute the ground meat with a plant-based protein or beans, and use vegetable broth instead of meat-based stock.
Q9: Can I make individual portions?
A9: Yes! You can portion this casserole into smaller baking dishes or ramekins for individual servings.
Q10: How do I make this spicier?
A10: Add crushed red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or a drizzle of hot sauce for an extra kick!
Stuffed Cabbage Casserole
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 9 slices 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Description
Stuffed Cabbage Casserole is a rustic, hearty comfort food dish layered with savory ground beef, rice, smoky bacon, tomato sauce, tender cabbage, and melty cheese. This American-style baked casserole delivers all the flavors of traditional stuffed cabbage rolls with a fraction of the effort.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 lb. lean ground beef
- 1 cup bacon, chopped and cooked
- 1 large onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 1/2 heads medium green cabbage, coarsely chopped
- 14.5 oz. can petite diced tomatoes with juice
- 15 oz. can tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 2 1/2 cups cooked white rice or brown rice
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a 9×13 or 10×13-inch casserole dish with non-stick spray.
- In a large frying pan over medium heat, cook ground beef until browned and cooked through, breaking it apart as it cooks. Remove from pan and set aside.
- Add 1 tablespoon olive oil to the same pan. Once hot, add diced onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add garlic, thyme, rosemary, basil, and smoked paprika. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring.
- Add diced tomatoes with juice, tomato sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Return beef to the pan and stir to combine.
- Add chicken broth, stir, and simmer until slightly thickened, about 15–20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, prepare cabbage: cut in half, remove core and wilted leaves, chop into 1-inch pieces.
- In a large pan or Dutch oven, heat remaining olive oil and cook cabbage over medium-high heat until wilted and partially cooked. Season with salt and pepper.
- Once the meat mixture is thickened, stir in the cooked rice and gently combine.
- Layer half of the cabbage in the casserole dish, top with half of the meat mixture, half the bacon, and 1 cup mozzarella cheese. Repeat with remaining cabbage and meat mixture.
- Cover with foil and bake for 40–45 minutes.
- Uncover, top with remaining bacon, mozzarella, and cheddar cheese. Bake uncovered for 10 more minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Let cool for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Use pre-cooked rice to save time.
- Substitute turkey for ground beef for a leaner version.
- Can be made ahead and reheated — it’s even better the next day!
- Try adding a dash of hot sauce for a spicy kick.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 391
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 710mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 75mg