Description
Cabbage Roll Casserole delivers hearty comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen, combining layers of ground beef, rice, and tender cabbage in a deliciously satisfying meal that brings warmth to your dinner table. Hearty and simple, this one-pan wonder makes weeknight cooking a breeze with minimal prep and maximum flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1.5 pounds lean ground beef or ground turkey
Vegetables:
- 1 medium head of cabbage, chopped
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Liquids:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1.5 teaspoons salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon onion powder
- 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Warm 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Toss in diced onion and sauté for 3 minutes until translucent.
- Add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 30 seconds, releasing their aromatic essence.
- Introduce 1½ pounds ground beef to the skillet. Break apart the meat using a spatula while cooking until completely browned.
- Drain any accumulated fat from the meat to keep the dish lean and clean.
- Fold 1 medium head of chopped cabbage into the skillet. Stir frequently and cook for 5 minutes until cabbage softens slightly.
- Pour in 15-ounce can of diced tomatoes and 8-ounce can of tomato sauce. Sprinkle 1½ teaspoons salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, and optional ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes.
- Thoroughly mix all ingredients to distribute seasonings evenly.
- Cover the skillet and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer for 20-25 minutes until cabbage becomes tender and flavors meld together.
- Serve hot directly from the skillet or atop cauliflower rice for a low-carb alternative.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter protein option that keeps the casserole hearty and satisfying.
- Chop cabbage into consistent, small pieces to ensure even cooking and a tender texture throughout the dish.
- For extra depth, consider deglazing the pan with a splash of red wine after browning the meat to capture those delicious browned bits.
- Make this dish ahead and refrigerate overnight, as the flavors will develop and intensify, creating an even more delicious meal the next day.
- Prep Time: 8 minutes
- Cook Time: 28-33 minutes
- Category: Sautéed
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 260 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg