Cabbage Roll Casserole

December 10, 2024 by Beth Pierce 259 Comments

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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.

Cabbage roll casserole on a single serving plate with a fork.

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. If you like this recipe, try crock pot cabbage roll casserole, cabbage soup, and fried cabbage.

Ingredients Notes and Substitutions

Ground beef: Use ground beef with a bit of fat in it, like 85/15. Fat gives the beef flavor.
Spices and seasonings: paprika, onion powder, salt, freshly ground black pepper, and a little ground cayenne.
Beef broth: preferably low-sodium
Cheese: shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, or mozzarella

A 9x13 inch glass casserole dish full of cabbage roll casserole.

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. Remove the foil and continue cooking until the cheese is lightly browned.

An overhead view of cabbage roll casserole on a plate with the rest of the casserole in the background.

Preparation Tips and Storage

Traditional cabbage rolls do not have cheese, but trust me when I tell you it is delicious. You can omit it if desired.
You can assemble the casserole up to 24 hours in advance. Cover and store it in the fridge. Remove the casserole 40 minutes before baking to bring it to room temperature. Remove the plastic wrap, cover with aluminum foil, and bake as directed.
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave at reduced power.
To freeze, thoroughly cool, cover with two layers of plastic wrap, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight. Remove the casserole 40 minutes before baking to bring it to room temperature. Remove the plastic wrap, cover with aluminum foil, and bake as directed.

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 simultaneously 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I prepare this on the stovetop?

Of course, with a couple of easy steps, you can prepare this in the same skillet you cooked the cabbage in. After you finish cooking the cabbage, layer cabbage, cooked beef mixture, cheese, and cabbage in the skillet. Turn the heat to a low simmer and cover with a lid or foil. Cook until the cabbage is tender and the cheese melts.

Can I bake this in the skillet?

Yes, 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.

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