What makes this Cabbage Roll Casserole recipe so easy?

This recipe skips the time-consuming step of individually rolling the cabbage leaves. Instead, all the ingredients are layered in a casserole dish and baked, offering the same great taste with significantly less effort.

Can I prepare Cabbage Roll Casserole ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the casserole a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time when you are ready to cook it. This makes it a perfect dish for meal prepping.

What is a good substitute for ground beef in Cabbage Roll Casserole?

You can easily substitute ground beef with ground turkey, ground chicken, or even a plant-based ground. Adjust cooking times as needed to ensure the meat is cooked through or the plant-based product is properly heated.

How do I prevent my Cabbage Roll Casserole from being too watery?

Make sure to drain any excess liquid from the cooked beef and cabbage before layering them in the casserole. You might also consider using a slightly thicker tomato sauce, or adding a thickening agent like tomato paste.

Cabbage Roll Casserole: 7 Delicious & Easy Secrets!

Description

A deconstructed take on classic cabbage rolls. All the flavor, none of the work! This Cabbage Roll Casserole is easy, comforting, and a family favorite.

Ingredients

Scale

1 large head of cabbage, shredded (about 8 cups)
1 pound ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
1/2 cup cooked rice (white or brown)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (optional)
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened. Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until browned. Drain excess grease.
Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, rice, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.
In a bowl, combine shredded cabbage with half of the tomato meat sauce.
Pour cabbage mixture into the baking dish. Spread evenly.
Pour remaining meat sauce over the cabbage.
Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese (optional).
Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for 15 minutes more, until cabbage is tender and cheese is melted.
Let rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley (optional).

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

Calories: 350
Sugar: 10g
Sodium: 500mg
Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Carbohydrates: 25g
Fiber: 5g
Protein: 20g
Cholesterol: 75mg

Keywords: cabbage, beef, casserole, comfort food, easy dinner, unstuffed cabbage rolls