Easy Cabbage Roll Casserole Recipe
Making traditional cabbage rolls is something I remember my mom and grandma doing. It was a true labor of love. All that rolling, stuffing, and hoping they don’t break. Lots of work those little rolls! I have a few deconstructed cabbage roll recipes on my site including 30-Minute One Pot Cabbage Rolls and Slow Cooker Cabbage Roll Soup. I don’t have the patience or time to mess with the real thing, sorry not sorry. And that’s where these easy cabbage roll casserole recipe comes in as well. Easy, and no-fuss. Just comfort food at its finest thanks to layers of a seasoned ground beef and rice filling, that’s nestled amidst layers of tender green cabbage. There’s also plenty of melted cheese in every bite to make sure everyone leaves the table satisfied, oohing-and-ahhing.
Ingredients in Cabbage Casserole with Ground Beef
Green cabbage: Napa cabbage or Savoy cabbage may be substituted. Ground beef: You can substitute beef with ground turkey, ground pork, lean ground beef, ground chicken, or plant-based ground meat. Onion: I usually use white or yellow onions, but red onions, shallots, green onions, leeks or a teaspoon of onion powder may be used. Garlic: Fresh garlic gives the dish an aromatic flavor but use garlic powder as a substitute. Italian seasoning: Don’t have it on hand? You can mix equal parts of dried basil, oregano, thyme, and rosemary. Smoked paprika: Adds a smoky flavor to the casserole, but you can use regular paprika. Want it spicy? Red chili powder or red pepper flakes can be used to spice things up. Tomato sauce Beef broth: Adds richness to the sauce although you can use vegetable or chicken broth instead. Cooked rice: I used long grain basmati rice. You can also use minute rice or brown rice. If you want to keep this low carb or are keto or watching calories, try cauliflower rice. No time to make rice first? Use a packet of Uncle Ben’s Ready Rice. Ready in 90 seconds in your microwave. I always have these on hand! Salt and pepper Cheddar cheese: You can substitute it with other melting cheeses like mozzarella cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, Pepper Jack, or Swiss.
Note: Scroll down to the recipe card section of the post for the ingredients with amounts included and for more complete directions.
Instructions How To Make Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Casserole
Like any casserole, there are a few steps and things going on, here nothing here is tricky! Here’s an overview of what you do. In the Freezer: This recipe will keep airtight in the freezer for up to 3 months. To Reheat: I use my microwave for quickness and ease and reheat my leftovers for about 30 seconds on high, or as needed. But you can use your oven, whatever is best suited for you. Make-Ahead: You can assemble the casserole to the point of baking it, stop, cover tightly with foil, and refrigerate for up to 48 hours before baking it. When you do decide to bake it, let it sit at room temp on your counter for at least 45 minutes because baking with a very cold casserole straight from the oven will dramatically increase the overall baking time. Tried this recipe? Leave a review! Consider leaving a 5 star rating if you’ve made and loved one of my recipes!
