Description
This Irresistibly Cozy Stuffed Cabbage Roll Casserole Delight is a comforting, hearty one-dish meal that combines ground beef, cabbage, rice, and savory tomato sauce baked to perfection. It offers all the flavors of traditional stuffed cabbage rolls in a simplified casserole form, perfect for feeding a crowd or enjoying as delicious leftovers.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 lbs lean ground beef
- 3.5 lbs green cabbage, cored and coarsely chopped
- 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped (about 1 cup)
- 1 cup long grain white rice (uncooked)
- 1 tsp fine sea salt
- 28 oz tomato sauce
- 3.5 cups beef broth
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook Beef: In a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until fully browned and crumbly, about 8-10 minutes. Drain any excess fat to keep the dish lean.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, mix together the browned beef, chopped cabbage, chopped onion, uncooked rice, salt, and tomato sauce until evenly combined.
- Assemble Casserole: Transfer the cabbage mixture to a 9 x 13-inch baking dish, spreading evenly. Pour the beef broth over the mixture to keep it moist during baking.
- Initial Bake: Cover the baking dish tightly with foil or a lid, then bake in the preheated oven for 60 minutes to allow the rice and cabbage to begin softening and cooking through.
- Continue Baking: Remove the cover, gently stir the casserole, then cover again and bake for an additional 20-30 minutes until the cabbage is tender and the rice is fully cooked.
- Rest and Serve: Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving hot to allow the flavors to settle.
Notes
- Substitute ground turkey or pork for ground beef for a different flavor.
- Savoy cabbage can be used instead of green cabbage for a sweeter taste.
- Brown rice can be used in place of white rice, but increase the baking time accordingly to ensure rice is fully cooked.
- Vegetable broth can replace beef broth for a lighter, vegetarian-friendly option (remove meat then).
- Make sure to drain excess fat after browning to reduce grease.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat perfectly.
