This crock pot cabbage roll casserole is deliciously layered with seasoned ground beef, crushed tomatoes, rice, chopped green cabbage, cheddar, and Monterey Jack cheese. It provides at least six servings, and it is one of my husband’s favorite dishes.
What’s In This Post
Unleash Your Inner Chef: Transforming Classic Cabbage Rolls into a Crock Pot Casserole
Try this easy and tasty cabbage roll casserole recipe! With all the flavors of traditional cabbage rolls plus a melty layer of cheese, this dish is perfect for a family dinner or potluck. In just a few easy steps using simple ingredients and common pantry spices, you can learn how to make it.
Recipe Ingredients
- Ground beef: preferably ground beef with a little fat in it, like 85/15
- Vegetables: sweet yellow onion, garlic, canned crushed tomatoes, green cabbage
- Seasonings and spices: salt, freshly ground black pepper, paprika, onion powder, and ground cayenne pepper.
- Brown sugar
- Beef broth: preferably low-sodium
- White rice: long-grain
- Cheese: cheddar and Monterey Jack
How to Make Crock Pot Cabbage Roll Casserole
Cook the ground beef, onion, and garlic in a large skillet on the stovetop. Add the spices, brown sugar, crushed tomatoes, beef broth, and rice. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Add half of the beef mixture to the crock pot, followed by half of the chopped cabbage, the remaining beef mixture, and the remaining cabbage. Cover and cook on low until the rice is tender. Sprinkle with both cheeses and cover for 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
Recipe Tips
- Cook until the rice and cabbage are tender.
- To add a little zip, use Pepper Jack Cheese or add a small can of diced chiles.
- Leftovers can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days. They can also be reheated in the microwave at reduced power.
What To Serve With It
I love to serve this dish with mashed potatoes or roasted potatoes. I also add sweet potato cornbread or corn muffins to sop up all the glorious flavors of the baked-in sauce. It is also delicious with German cucumber salad and spring mix salad.
Frequently Asked Questions
This recipe works well with ground turkey, pork, or chicken.
I prefer to cook it on low so the cabbage softens slowly, but you can also cook it on high for 2-3 hours if needed.
More Cabbage Recipes
Crock Pot Cabbage Roll Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup low-sodium beef broth
- 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper or to taste
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 1 large head green cabbage chopped
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat. When the ground beef is about halfway browned, add the onion and cook until the beef is browned and the onion is soft. Reduce the heat to low and add the garlic. Cook for 1 minute while stirring. Drain any excess grease.
- Stir in the paprika, onion powder, ground cayenne pepper, brown sugar, crushed tomatoes, and beef broth. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the long grain rice.
- Add half of the beef mixture to the crock pot, followed by half of the chopped cabbage, then the remaining beef mixture, and the remaining cabbage.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours or until the rice and cabbage are tender. Sprinkle with cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese and cover for 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
Notes
- Cook until the rice and cabbage are tender.
- To add a little zip, use Pepper Jack Cheese or add a small can of diced chiles.
- Leftovers can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days. They can also be reheated in the microwave at reduced power.
Rosemary
Can I leave out the cayenne? Not a fan of that, just wanna make sure it doesnt affect the taste as everything else sounds wonderful in it
Beth Pierce
Yes you can leave out the cayenne pepper. Enjoy!
Candee
This sounds yummy! I love cabbage rolls, but don’t have the patience to make them, this however I could do. I was just wondering what size crockpot should be used?
Beth Pierce
I use my 3 quart slow cooker. Enjoy!
Candee
Thanks!
Susan Bell
This crock pot cabbage roll casserole was so delicious! The combination of seasoned ground beef, crushed tomatoes, rice, cabbage, and cheeses made it a hearty and satisfying dish.
Willow
Beth, thank you so much for this delicious crock pot cabbage roll casserole recipe! I made it for my family last night, and it was a huge hit – even my picky eaters loved it.
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome, Willow!
Paula
This cabbage roll casserole was beyond delicious!!! Loved every bite and it came together so easily in my crockpot!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Paula! So happy that you liked the casserole.
Karen Lane
Crock pot yesssss….I love how this casserole turned out. It was delicious and easy!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Karen! I am glad that you liked it!
Nayna K
I love one pot meals, they are hearty, delicious easy to put together and perfect as less washing up too. Great recipe.
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Nanya! I am so glad that you liked it!
Brianne
Nice! I’ve always ascribed to the idea that anything that can be made into a casserole SHOULD be made into one. This was absolutely delicious and so much easier than cabbage rolls.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Briane! I agree 100%
Claudia
Oh, yum! I make cabbage rolls all the time, so a casserole version is absolutely up my alley!
Beth Pierce
Thanks. Claudia! Enjoy!
Ben
This is fully awesome. I love cabbage rolls, but I never make them because I just don’t want to mess with all the steps. Not anymore!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Ben! So glad that you liked it!
Janelle
This was sooooooo tasty! My kids devoured it. Thanks!!
Catalina
I tried the Crock Pot Cabbage Roll Casserole and it was fantastic! It had all the comforting flavors of traditional cabbage rolls but was so much easier to make. The slow cooker did all the work, and the result was a hearty, delicious meal.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Catalina!
Sandra Z
This turned out so delicious! Such a very easy meal for busy weeknights! Definitely will be making it again!
Amanda B
What a perfect use of your crock pot. Every one at the table loved it!
Krystle
One of my all time favorite dishes. GENIUS to make this in the crock pot, the house smells amazing while it’s cooking.
Beth Pierce
Thanks you, Krystle! We think it smells amazing too!