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.
More Casseroles to Love
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
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Tara
The flavor of this dish is divine. I modified it mostly by omission (I don’t eat rice) and slight step changes. I browned the ground beef without the onion and garlic, transferred it to a saucepan, and added all the seasonings and tomato sauce without the rice and broth. Brought it to a simmer while I did the cabbage mixture. I’m from the south, so bacon grease is a staple, haha. Heated 2 tbsp grease, added cabbage and onions, and sauteed them for about 10 minutes. Then I added the garlic, a little salt and pepper, and stirred it for about a minute before taking it off the heat. I guess I didn’t have as much cabbage as the original recipe called for because I did it in one step, not two. Then I layered and baked as directed, with a short broil at the end. So like I said, no change in ingredients except no rice/broth and the addition of bacon grease for sauteeing. I LOVED the flavor of the beef layer. I have already passed this on to my kids to try. Thank you so much!
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine, Tara! Thanks for the tips, as I have a lot of readers that don’t eat rice.
Tracy G
This was so delicious! I’ve tried about 10 different takes on cabbage rolls, and my husband said this was the best one yet.
I had to make a couple substitutions. I didn’t have white rice or plain tomato sauce. I used saffron rice. I was worried the extra seasonings would change the flavor, but it worked great. I like a lot of sauce, so I added in a jar of pasta sauce, too.
I had some yellow and green bell peppers and Italian sausage, so I cooked the onions, peppers, and garlic together before adding the ground beef and sausage. It had a great flavor.
I know I’ll be making it again, and next time I’ll probably double the amount of cabbage. I cooked half of what I used in oil. It was taking a long time, so I just steamed the other half in the microwave to save time. I couldn’t tell a big difference in flavor or texture.
Beth Pierce
So glad that you liked the casserole, Tracy. Thanks for your great tips!
jupiter hadley
Oh wow, I remember making these cabbage wraps that were very similar, but having to fill and roll all of the cabbage was so challenging. Making it as a casserole is such a better idea.
Tammy
I love a hearty, satisfying meal like that that’s healthy too! Looks like such a delicious meal for the family. Cabbage rolls are so good and I love this casserole idea 😀
Talya Stone
I love the look of this. Do you think I could substitute the white rice for red rice. Looks so tasty I want to try making this!
Beth Pierce
Yes, you can! Enjoy!
Samantha Donnelly
This is something I have never tried, but perfect for this time of year. I use cabbage in a variety of recipes but never thought to use in this way
Annabel Beales
OMG Beth this looks lush and actually your explanation has made it sound so easy! I’ve checked and we have the ingredients so I’m going to do this tomorrow!!
Thank you 🙂
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine! Enjoy!
Sharon
Great recipe! I used ground venison. Turned out delicious. Thanks!
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Sharon! So glad that you liked the cabbage casserole recipe!
Stacy
Thanks for the recipe. I did it for the first time and everything turned out thanks to you. I love it
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Stacy! So glad that you liked it!
Rosa Sotelo
I made it with turkey it was so good. My family loved it.
Beth Pierce
So glad that they enjoyed it!
Carlene
I had to keep rereading the recipe looking for salt & pepper measurement or to taste. Didn’t see any mention except in the comments. Making it today.
Emily
This was like the perfect casserole. Came out so creamy and delicious. Yum. My husband had thirds. Followed the recipe as is, but added salt and pepper to the beef mixture and when cooking the cabbage. Can’t wait for leftovers tomorrow!
Beth Pierce
Thanks Emily! I am so glad that you and your husband enjoyed it! I love cabbage!
Clare
This was delicious. Whole family loved it. We did add some hot sauce, added some nice mild heat.
Beth Pierce
Thanks Clare! So glad that the family loved it. It is an easy tasty dish!
Lorrie A Deese
I used parmesan cheese,it’s not oily.And put some cottage cheese in the dish.
JOAN
CAN YOU TELL ME HOW IT TASTED WITH SUBBING PARMESAN FOR THE HIGH FAT CHEESES? – WOULD YOU GIVE IT 5 STARS AFTER CHANGES?
Tanya
OMG, THIS IS SO GOOD! Better even the next day. we are starting to make 2 at a time to have one to freeze. Leftovers perfect to heat in microwave for Lunch or dinner. Would not change a thing.
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much Tanya! I am so happy that you love them. Have a fabulous day!
Jane
Has anyone tried this with brown rice?
Dar
Hi Jane, I did and it turned out great. I did precook the rice though