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Cabbage Roll Casserole
Redondo

Cabbage Roll Casserole

A hearty and comforting one-pan cabbage roll casserole layered with seasoned ground beef, tender cabbage, and melty mozzarella cheese. All the flavor of traditional cabbage rolls, none of the fuss.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 385
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ground beef or mixed ground meat
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 1.5 teaspoons fresh garlic, minced
  • 0.25 teaspoon cajun spice
  • 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
  • 1 tablespoon white sugar or substitute of choice
  • 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce or puree
  • 1 can (15 oz) chopped tomatoes in liquid
  • 1.5 cups cooked brown or white rice
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 6 cups green cabbage, chopped
  • 0.25 cup water
  • 1 cup carrot, grated
  • 1 cup mozzarella, shredded
  • 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
  • dill or parsley for garnish

Equipment

  • skillet for browning meat and cooking cabbage
  • Oven for baking the casserole
  • 8x11-inch baking dish or any 2-quart casserole dish
  • Foil for covering during baking

Method
 

  1. Heat 2 tbsp of olive oil in a large skillet. Sauté diced onion until soft, then add grated carrot and cook for another minute.
  2. Add ground beef to the skillet and cook until no longer pink. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Drain excess liquid if needed.
  3. Add salt, pepper, cajun spice, paprika, sugar, tomato sauce, and chopped tomatoes. Stir well and let simmer for 10 minutes on medium-low.
  4. Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix in cooked rice with beef mixture and adjust seasoning if needed.
  5. In a clean skillet, heat remaining olive oil. Add chopped cabbage and water. Cover and cook until softened and water evaporates.
  6. In a greased 8x11-inch baking dish, layer half the cabbage, then half the meat-rice mix. Repeat. Top with shredded mozzarella.
  7. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake for another 20 minutes until cheese is bubbly. Broil for 1–2 minutes if desired.
  8. Garnish with fresh dill or parsley. Serve warm, optionally with a spoonful of sour cream.

Notes

This casserole is perfect for make-ahead meals and freezer prep. You can swap ground beef for mixed meats like turkey or chicken, and it still turns out delicious. Great for potlucks or cozy family dinners.