Description
“Hearty and comforting, this Cabbage Beef Bake combines tender cabbage, seasoned ground beef, and a rich tomato sauce in an easy, oven-baked casserole. Perfect for a cozy family dinner or meal prep!”
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small head of cabbage, chopped
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1 cup cooked rice (optional)
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook the Beef Mixture:
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onions and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain excess fat if necessary. Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, oregano, basil, paprika, salt, and pepper. Let simmer for 5 minutes.
- Prepare the Cabbage:
- In a separate large pot, bring water to a boil. Add chopped cabbage and cook for 5 minutes to soften slightly. Drain and set aside.
- Assemble the Casserole:
- Spread half of the cabbage in the baking dish. Layer with half of the beef mixture. If using rice, sprinkle half over the beef. Repeat the layers.
- Bake:
- Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. If using cheese, remove foil, sprinkle shredded cheddar on top, and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes or until melted and bubbly.
- Serve:
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy warm!
Notes
- Low-Carb Version: Skip the rice and add extra cabbage for a keto-friendly dish.
- Spicy Twist: Add red pepper flakes or chopped jalapeños for some heat.
- Cheesy Upgrade: Mix shredded cheese into the beef mixture for extra richness.
- Vegetarian Option: Replace ground beef with lentils or plant-based crumbles.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: cabbage casserole, beef and cabbage bake, stuffed cabbage casserole, easy cabbage recipes, ground beef casserole