Description
A comforting and hearty Stuffed Cabbage Roll Casserole that combines all the classic flavors of traditional stuffed cabbage rolls in a simple, one-dish meal. Featuring ground meat, rice, cabbage, and rich tomato sauce, this casserole is perfect for family dinners, meal prep, and cozy evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef or turkey
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 4 cups cabbage, thinly sliced or chopped
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Ingredients
- 1 cup shredded cheese (mozzarella or cheddar)
- Fresh parsley or dill for garnish
- Chili flakes or diced jalapeños for spicy variation
- Lentils or mushrooms for vegetarian version (substitute for meat)
- Cauliflower rice (substitute for cooked rice in low-carb version)
Instructions
- Prepare the Filling: In a large skillet, cook the ground meat with chopped onion and garlic until browned and fragrant. Stir in cooked rice, season generously with salt, pepper, and paprika, then mix until the flavors meld perfectly.
- Layer the Cabbage: Lightly steam or sauté the cabbage until just tender. Spread half of the cabbage across the bottom of your casserole dish to form a vibrant base layer that will soak up all the tasty juices.
- Add the Meat Mixture: Spoon the meat and rice filling evenly over the cabbage layer, evenly distributing the savory goodness so every bite has a perfect balance of filling and veggies.
- Top with Remaining Cabbage and Sauce: Cover the filling with the remaining cabbage, then pour tomato sauce generously over the entire dish. This layer keeps everything moist and infuses each layer with that classic tomato tang.
- Bake to Perfection: Cover the casserole with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 45 minutes. Remove the foil during the last 10 minutes if desired, to let the top brown slightly or melt cheese if using.
Notes
- Use pre-cooked rice to save time and prevent sogginess.
- Don’t overcook the cabbage; keep it slightly firm to retain texture through baking.
- Let the casserole rest before serving to allow flavors to set and make slicing easier.
- Try mixing pork and beef for a richer flavor profile.
- Use a deep dish casserole to prevent spills and allow perfect layering.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American / Eastern European Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg