Description
This hearty cabbage casserole is a comforting dish layered with tender cabbage, ground meat, and a savory tomato sauce, all baked under a layer of melted cheese. Perfect for a cozy dinner, this easy recipe is a great way to enjoy the goodness of cabbage in a flavorful way.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Casserole:
- 1 small head of cabbage (about 6 cups), chopped
- 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
- 1 cup beef or chicken broth
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup cooked rice (optional, for added heartiness)
For the Topping:
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Prepare the Cabbage:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the chopped cabbage and cook for 5 minutes, until slightly softened. Drain and set aside.
- Cook the Ground Meat:
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef, onion, and garlic until the meat is browned and the onion is soft, about 5–7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
- Make the Tomato Sauce:
- Add the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, broth, paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper to the skillet with the cooked meat. Stir to combine and simmer for 5 minutes. If using cooked rice, stir it in at this point.
- Assemble the Casserole:
- Spread half of the cooked cabbage in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Top with half of the meat and tomato mixture.
- Repeat with the remaining cabbage and meat mixture to create layers.
- Add the Cheese Topping:
- Sprinkle the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses evenly over the top.
- Bake:
- Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve:
- Let the casserole cool for 5–10 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
Notes
- You can add diced bell peppers or mushrooms to the meat mixture for extra flavor and texture.
- For a low-carb option, skip the rice or substitute cauliflower rice.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 2 months.