Description
A hearty and comforting Cabbage Roll Casserole made with ground beef or turkey, layered with chopped cabbage, cooked rice, and a savory tomato sauce, baked to perfection and topped with melted cheese. This easy casserole captures all the flavors of traditional cabbage rolls without the fuss of rolling.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb ground beef or turkey
- 1 head cabbage, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Grains
- 1 cup cooked rice (white or brown)
Tomato and Sauce
- 1 can diced tomatoes (14 oz, with juice)
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
- 1 tsp paprika
Cheese (Optional)
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Brown the Meat: In a large skillet, cook the ground beef or turkey over medium heat until browned. Once cooked, drain off any excess fat to keep the dish lighter.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add diced onions and minced garlic to the skillet with the meat. Sauté for about 2-3 minutes until soft and fragrant, which will enhance the flavor.
- Make Sauce: Stir in the diced tomatoes (with juice), tomato sauce, chicken broth, salt, black pepper, and paprika. Let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes to combine the flavors well.
- Layer the Casserole: Grease a baking dish. Layer half of the chopped cabbage evenly on the bottom, then half of the cooked rice, followed by half of the meat and tomato sauce mixture. Repeat these layers once more to complete.
- Bake Covered: Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes to cook the cabbage and meld the flavors.
- Add Cheese and Finish Baking: Remove the foil, sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the top, and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Rest and Serve: Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes after baking. This helps it set and makes it easier to serve. Enjoy your delicious cabbage roll casserole!
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey with ground beef or vice versa based on preference or dietary needs.
- Using cooked rice from leftover rice works perfectly in this casserole, making it convenient to prepare.
- Feel free to use either white or brown rice depending on your taste and nutrition preference.
- The cheese topping is optional but adds a nice creamy texture and flavor.
- For a lower sodium option, reduce the salt amount or use low-sodium broth and canned tomatoes.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated for a quick meal.
- Gluten-free if using gluten-free broth and verified canned tomatoes and sauces.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: cabbage roll casserole, ground beef casserole, baked cabbage rolls, easy casserole recipe, comfort food casserole, cabbage dinner
