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Cabbage Roll Casserole

👏🏻🥬🧀 Take the work out of traditional cabbage rolls and make this EASY comfort food cabbage roll casserole instead! Layers of seasoned ground beef and rice, tender cabbage, and oodles of melted cheese in every bite. A family FAVORITE recipe that’s ready in 1 hour. Can be made in advance and freezes well!

Prep Time
25 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Servings: 10
Calories: 279 kcal
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1 small green cabbage roughly chopped into 2-inch chunks (about 9 cups)
  • 1 pound extra lean ground beef about 90 to 95% lean
  • 1 small white or yellow onion (or red onion) diced small
  • 3 cloves garlic finely minced
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika regular paprika may be substiuted
  • 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper or to taste
  • 15 ounces canned tomato sauce
  • 1 cup beef broth I used reduced sodium
  • 2 cups cooked long grain basmati rice or your favorite rice such as regular white rice, brown rice, cauliflower rice, etc.
  • 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat the oven to 375F and spray a large baking dish generously with cooking spray; set aside.
  2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. I prefer to salt the water but it's up to you. Add the cabbage pieces and boil for about 5 to 7 minutes, or until softened. Drain and set aside when done.
  3. While the cabbage is boiling, separately to a large skillet, add the ground beef, onions, and saute over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes, or until the beef is done and the onions are soft and translucent. Crumble and stir and toss the beef frequently as it cooks to ensure even browning. Note - I don't find the need to drain any excess grease because I use extra-lean ground beef and there's nothing to drain, but if you want to drain yours, do it.
  4. Add the garlic, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and cook for 1 minute; stir nearly constantly.
  5. Add the tomato sauce, beef broth, rice (see Notes below), and stir to combine. Bring it to a simmer and allow the mixture to simmer for about 5 minutes uncovered, allowing some liquid volume to evaporate as steam. The rice will soak up some of the liquid as well, and the flavors will marry.
  6. To the prepared baking dish, add half the cabbage pieces. You can just scatter them over the base of the baking dish.
  7. Then top with HALF the meat and rice mixture, half the cheese.
  8. Repeat by adding the remaining cabbage, the remaining half the meat and rice mixture, and the remaining cheese.
  9. Cover the baking dish tightly with foil - if you're making straight through, carry on. Make Ahead - If you're making this ahead or in advance, stop now, and refrigerate for up to 48 hours before baking it off. When baking it, allow the casserole dish to sit at room temp on your counter for at least 45 minutes as to not unnecessarily lengthen the baking time using a very cold baking dish.
  10. Bake the casserole covered for about 25-30 minutes, or until it's hot and bubbly.
  11. Remove the foil, and return it to the oven uncovered for about 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is as golden browned as desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Storage: Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Reheat them gently in the microwave as desired, or if you prefer, in your oven. 
  • Rice - No time to make rice first? Use a packet of Uncle Ben's Ready Rice. Ready in 90 seconds in your microwave. 

Nutrition Information

Serving 1serving Calories 279kcal (14%) Carbohydrates 18g (6%) Protein 21g (42%) Fat 14g (22%) Saturated Fat 8g (40%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 4g Trans Fat 0.2g Cholesterol 62mg (21%) Sodium 792mg (33%) Potassium 502mg (14%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 5g (10%) Vitamin A 716IU (14%) Vitamin C 37mg (41%) Calcium 297mg (30%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 10Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 279

% Daily Value*

Serving 1serving
Calories 279kcal 14%
Carbohydrates 18g 6%
Protein 21g 42%
Fat 14g 22%
Saturated Fat 8g 40%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 4g 20%
Trans Fat 0.2g 10%
Cholesterol 62mg 21%
Sodium 792mg 33%
Potassium 502mg 11%
Fiber 3g 12%
Sugar 5g 10%
Vitamin A 716IU 14%
Vitamin C 37mg 41%
Calcium 297mg 30%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.