Description
A hearty and comforting Cabbage Roll Casserole that combines ground meat, cabbage, rice, and a flavorful tomato sauce, baked to perfection and topped with melted cheese. This dish captures the essence of traditional cabbage rolls in an easy-to-make layered casserole.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef or turkey
- 1 head cabbage, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup cooked rice (white or brown)
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can diced tomatoes (14 oz, with juice)
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook the Ground Meat: In a large skillet, cook the ground beef or turkey over medium heat until it is browned evenly. Drain any excess fat to keep the dish light.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the diced onions and minced garlic to the skillet with the browned meat. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the onions become soft and fragrant, enhancing the flavor of the filling.
- Add Tomato Mixture: Stir in the diced tomatoes with juice, tomato sauce, chicken broth, salt, pepper, and paprika. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for 5 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Assemble Layers: Grease a baking dish and create the casserole layers: start with half of the chopped cabbage, then half of the cooked rice, followed by half of the meat and tomato mixture. Repeat the layering with the remaining ingredients.
- Bake Covered: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 40 minutes in the preheated oven. This allows the cabbage to soften and the flavors to meld.
- Add Cheese and Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil, sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the top, and bake uncovered for another 10 minutes until the cheese melts and bubbles.
- Rest and Serve: Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes after baking to set before serving. Enjoy this comforting and flavorful meal!
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey with ground beef for a leaner option or vice versa based on preference.
- Choose either white or brown rice depending on your texture and nutritional preference.
- To make it vegetarian, omit the meat and increase the amount of vegetables or use a plant-based protein substitute.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Feel free to experiment with different cheeses such as mozzarella, cheddar, or a blend for varied flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Cabbage Roll Casserole, cabbage, ground beef casserole, baked cabbage dish, comfort food, easy family dinner
