Cabbage Roll Casserole is an easy family favorite. It combines all the delicious flavors of stuffed cabbage rolls with much less time and effort. This delectable casserole makes eight healthy servings, and the leftovers heat up perfectly in the microwave.
Tasty Cabbage Roll Casserole
This cabbage roll casserole quickly comes together and tastes just as good or better than the cabbage rolls your grandma used to make. Just think of it as an unstuffed cabbage roll casserole. It is delicious, totally homemade, and does not contain cream of anything soup.
How to Make Cabbage Roll Casserole
Start by browning the ground beef in a large pan or skillet over medium heat. When it is about halfway browned, add the onion and cook until the beef is fully browned. Turn the heat to low and toss in the garlic at the last minute of cooking. Drain any excess fat from the skillet. Stir in the paprika, onion powder, cayenne, brown sugar, tomato sauce, beef broth, and rice. Bring the mixture to a low boil and then turn it to a simmer and cover it with a lid. Simmer until the rice is tender. Season with salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste.
In a separate large skillet, add a little olive oil. Add half of the chopped cabbage and cook until it starts to get tender. Add the cooked cabbage to a casserole dish sprayed with a little nonstick cooking spray. Spread half of the beef mixture on top of the cabbage and top with half of the cheddar and Monterey Jack Cheese. Cook the second half of the cabbage the same way and add it to the casserole dish. Top with the remaining cheese and bake covered for about twenty minutes, then remove the foil and continue cooking until the cheese is lightly browned.
Can Cabbage Roll Casserole be prepared in a skillet?
Of course, with a couple of easy steps, you can prepare this in the same skillet you cooked the cabbage in. You could do it either on the stovetop or in an ovenproof skillet. For the stovetop, after you finish cooking the cabbage, layer cabbage, cooked beef mixture, cheese, and cabbage in the skillet. Then, turn the heat to a low simmer and cover with a lid or foil. Cook until the cabbage is tender and the cheese melts.
To cook it in the oven, ensure your skillet is ovenproof. Layer the cooked cabbage, cooked beef mixture, and cheese. Repeat the layers, ending with the remaining cheese. Cover with foil and bake for twenty minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking until the cheese is lightly browned and melted.
Recipe variations
- Add 1-2 tablespoons of Cajun seasoning added at the same time as the other spices.
- Add 1-2 pinches of crushed red pepper to the tomato sauce and beef broth.
- Stir in a (14.5-ounce) can of fire-roasted tomatoes added at the same time as the tomato sauce.
- Use Pepper Jack Cheese or mozzarella cheese in place of the Monterey Jack.
- Add some minced jalapeno added at the same time as the minced garlic.
This delectable Cabbage Roll Casserole is family-friendly, easy, quick, and adaptable to your taste buds. Put the ingredients on your shopping list today and make this wholesome casserole for your family.
Cabbage Roll Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean 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 15 ounce can tomato sauce
- 1 14.5 ounce can low sodium beef broth
- 1 cup long grain white rice uncooked
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium head green cabbage chopped
- 1 1/2 cups finely shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 1/2 cups finely shredded Monterey Jack Cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 9×13 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray or olive oil spray.
- Brown ground beef. When the ground beef is about halfway browned, add the onion; cook until the beef is fully browned. Reduce the heat to low. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring continuously. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
- Add paprika, onion powder, cayenne, brown sugar, tomato sauce, beef broth, and rice. Bring the mixture to a low boil. Turn to a simmer and cover with a lid. Simmer for 20 minutes until rice is tender. Season with salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1/2 of the chopped cabbage and cook until slightly tender; 5-7 minutes. Spread cabbage over the bottom of the casserole dish. Top with 1/2 of the ground beef mixture. Sprinkle with 1/2 of the cheeses, blending them. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the other 1/2 of the chopped cabbage and cook until slightly tender, 5-7 minutes. Spread the cabbage over the cheese in the casserole dish. Top with the other 1/2 of the beef mixture and then with the remaining cheese.
- Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 20 minutes or until the cheese is lightly browned.
Video
Notes
- Substitute ground turkey, ground chicken, or ground pork for the ground beef.
- Add fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, parsley, or dill.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave at reduced power.
Nutrition
Are you on the hunt for more delicious recipes? Follow Small Town Woman on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.
https://www.smalltownwoman.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Beth-1.pdf
mary
absolutely delicious!!!! the beef was really good. I used cauliflower rice inside of white rice and turned out amazing!
Beth Pierce
Thanks Mary! So glad that you liked it!
Lynn Luallen
I am confused as to why there is cheese included in the ingredients on your recipe as well as most others I have read. Since real rolled cabbage does not include cheese I was wondering if the cheese acts as a binder when its made in a casserole dish or is it just for the flavor.
Beth Pierce
It really does both. It works as a binder and adds great flavor. Everyone who tries it loves it.
Sarag
Prepping this ahead for Monday night dinner with venison. I know it will be good. Thank you for the recipe!
Beth Pierce
My pleasure! Enjoy!!
Sara Price
I made it with bison. So good.
Sally
Can this be frozen for later?
Beth Pierce
Yes it sure can
Lori Witmer
Should you bake it first before freezing??? LOVED IT! Thank you for sharing the recipe!
Beth Pierce
Yes you should bake it first.
Sara Craver
Made this a few times and my family loved it!
Can I prepare it ahead of time and refrigerate or freeze it for the next day or later on the week?
Beth Pierce
Yes you sure can. It is best to freeze prior to baking.
Karen
Wow I’ve made cabbage rolls for years but this is a game changer. I followed the exact recipe but also added a little chilli.
Thankyou for sharing
Beth Pierce
Thanks Karen! So glad that you liked the casserole.
Lori
Love this recipe! My sister and I take turns caring for our 101 year old mother and are always trying new recipes since she still has a good appetite . We all really like this recipe so it is in our rotation for sure.
Thank you so much for posting. Directions were very well written and easy to follow!
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much Lori. That is so cool that your mother still has a good appetite. She is blessed to have daughters that take good care of her. I am sure she appreciates it.
Stephanie Price
Do you know the fiber count on this? It’s delicious!
Beth Pierce
No sorry I do not.
Tess
Takes time to make this and then bake but it is very tasty. I love cabbage rolls so this was easier than those. I will def make again !
Beth Pierce
Thanks Tess! I am glad that you enjoyed it!
Krystal Palm
This recipe is absolutely phenomenal! I made it for the second time last night! I made it exactly as written except I used way less cheese because I found it didn’t need it. I ended up only using a little over a cup of cheddar cheese. I also decided to add a little Worcestershire sauce to the meat mixture and threw in some chili flakes! Super good and definitely a staple recipe in my house.
Beth Pierce
Thanks Krystal! So glad that you liked it and thanks for the tips!
undrgrndgirl
what can you do i your rice doesn’t cook!
usually i cook rice, beans or lentils separately, this time i didn’t – my rice is very hard after 20 minutes.
Beth Pierce
The casserole is cooked for 40 minutes. 20 minutes covered and 20 minutes uncovered. Don’t forget to preheat your oven.
lisa
I’m keto what can i replace rice with? cauliflower rice?
Patty
Can I somehow substitute Minute rice? I’m very new to cooking and still learning. Thank you!!
Beth Pierce
I think minute rice is going to be over cooked in this recipe.
Toni
I use minute rice all the time in this recipe and it’s just fine
I’ve never made regular rice!
undrgrndgirl
i would cook the minute rice separately using the broth.
then just add the rice to the rest of the meat mixture.
Linda Smith
Delicious cassarole… it’s a keeper!
Beth Pierce
Thanks Linda! So glad that you like the casserole.
lyn
I have made this recipe more than once and has become a family favorite, so much easier than making cabbage rolls and very tasty, there is never leftovers
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much Lyn! So glad that the you and the family like it. I agree 100%! So much easier than cabbage rolls!
K
I made this vegan (TVP instead of ground beef, no cheese) and the entire family loved it. Will be making again!
DaiseG
Great recipe, made this tonight for dinner