If you love the flavors of cabbage rolls this hearty casserole has all the flavors of homemade cabbage rolls in an easy Cabbage Roll Casserole. It’s full of delicious flavors and an easy dinner option the whole family will love.
This cabbage roll casserole is the perfect easy weeknight dinner! It’s loaded with tender green cabbage, ground beef, and rice in a flavorful tomato sauce. Top the casserole with gooey melted cheese and it can go straight from the oven to the table!
This cabbage roll casserole is the ultimate comfort food. You get the great flavor of classic cabbage rolls without so much work. It’s a family favorite recipe and an easy one-pot meal.
Cabbage rolls, also known as stuffed cabbage leaves or golabki (in Polish), are a traditional dish in many cultures around the world, including Eastern European, Middle Eastern, and Asian cuisines.
The dish typically consists of cabbage leaves that are blanched or boiled until tender and then stuffed with a mixture of ground meat (usually beef, pork, or a combination), rice, onions, and various seasonings. The stuffed cabbage leaves are then rolled up into neat parcels and cooked in a flavorful sauce, often tomato-based.
Cabbage Roll Casserole retains the delicious essence of cabbage rolls while simplifying the preparation process, making it a practical and tasty choice for a homemade meal.
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Recipe Ingredients Notes
Full ingredient list and amounts can be found in the printable recipe card at the end of the post. All ingredients are available at a regular grocery store.
- Small head of green cabbage. This will be rinsed, core removed and cut the head of cabbage into1-inch pieces. It is lightly cooked when added to the casserole so still has some texture after being baked in the cabbage casserole. Do not use red/purple cabbage or savoy cabbage for this recipe.
- Ground beef. One pound ground beef will be used. We recommend lean ground beef. If using a higher fat content that renders a lot of fat when browning, drain the excess fat before proceeding with the recipe.
- Yellow onion. You’ll need one medium yellow onion. White onion can be substituted.
- Canned diced tomatoes. A 14.5-ounce can of diced tomatoes is added to the sauce. You can use regular or petite diced tomatoes.
- Canned tomato sauce. An 8-ounce can of tomato sauce also gives that classic tomato flavor to the meat sauce.
- Italian seasoning. All the traditional Italian seasonings rolled up into one spice blend! You can use store bought or homemade Italian seasoning. This is not a traditional ingredient but we love the flavor it provides in the lazy cabbage roll casserole.
- Cooked rice. Long grain white rice is most commonly used however any rice (including brown rice) can be used. Be sure to start with cooked rice (not uncooked rice).
- Shredded cheese. Traditional cabbage rolls do not include cheese but it’s delicious as a topping on this easy cabbage roll casserole recipe. Any type of cheese you like can be used: mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese, pepper jack cheese etc. For best melting results shred the cheese yourself. Pre-packaged shredded cheese includes an anti-clumping agent that keeps it from sticking together in the package. But this also keeps it from melting together when it’s cooked. The exception is Tillamook’s ‘Farmstyle’ shredded cheese. I used the triple cheddar on a version of this casserole and it was delicious.
- Optional garnish. Sliced green onions and chopped fresh parsley can be sprinkled on top when serving.
How to Make it
STEP 1. Preparation
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9-inch by 13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. It can also be made in a large oven-proof skillet with high sides (it’s a deep casserole).
STEP 2. Sauté the cabbage
Heat a large high sided skillet or large Dutch oven over medium heat and add the olive oil. When the oil is warm (the surface will ripple), add the chopped cabbage and 1 teaspoon of salt. Sauté the cabbage, stirring occasionally, until it is just crisp-tender– about 8 minutes (photo 1). Remove the cabbage to a plate and set it aside.
STEP 3. Make the meat sauce
Add the ground beef to the skillet and return it to medium-high heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is almost browned– about 5 minutes.
Add the onion and garlic (photo 2). Cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, or until the onion is tender.
Add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, black pepper, and the remaining teaspoon of kosher salt (photo 3).
Remove the pan from the heat and add the rice and cabbage to the meat mixture. Stir to combine (photo 4-5).
STEP 4. Bake
Transfer the casserole to the prepared baking dish and add the cheese to the top of the casserole (photo 6).
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly (photo 7). Garnish with sliced green onions or chopped parsley and enjoy.
Variations
- Like a bit of spicy heat? Add some crushed red pepper flakes to the seasonings. Or use Pepper Jack cheese (or a blend including it) for the cheesy topping.
- Want a leaner version? Substitute ground turkey or ground chicken for the ground beef. Ground turkey browns more similarly to ground beef.
- Mix in some ground pork. To change the meat flavor, substitute ground pork for half of the ground beef or ground Italian sausage instead of ground beef. You can use hot Italian sausage or sweet Italian sausage or blend the two.
- Canned tomatoes. Tomatoes have to be one of the most controversial vegetables (technically they are a fruit). Though canned diced tomatoes are small in size if your crew doesn’t like tomatoes petit diced tomatoes are very small and a great substitute. Crushed tomatoes can also be used.
Storing leftovers
Allow the casserole to cool slightly, cover tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat portions in the microwave for serving. Portions can also be stored in an airtight container.
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Recipe
Cabbage Roll Casserole
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small head green cabbage cored and cut into 1” pieces
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt divided
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic diced
- 1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes
- 1 8- 8-ounce can tomato sauce
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning store bought or homemade
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 cups cooked rice white rice or brown rice
- 2 cups shredded cheese cheddar, mozzarella, pepper jack– anything you have on hand will work!
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9-inch by 13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. It can also be made in a large oven-proof skillet with high sides (it’s a deep casserole).
- Heat a large high sided skillet or large Dutch oven over medium heat and add the olive oil. When the oil is warm (the surface will ripple), add the chopped cabbage and 1 teaspoon of salt. Sauté the cabbage, stirring occasionally, until it is just crisp-tender– about 8 minutes. Remove the cabbage to a plate and set it aside.2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 small head green cabbage, 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- Add the ground beef to the skillet and return it to medium-high heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is almost browned– about 5 minutes.1 pound ground beef
- Add the onion and garlic. Cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, or until the onion is tender.1 medium yellow onion, 2 cloves garlic
- Add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, black pepper, and the remaining teaspoon of kosher salt.1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes, 1 8- 8-ounce can tomato sauce, 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Remove the pan from the heat and add the rice and cabbage to the meat mixture. Stir to combine.2 cups cooked rice
- Transfer the casserole to the prepared baking dish and add the cheese to the top of the casserole.2 cups shredded cheese
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Garnish with sliced green onions or chopped parsley and enjoy.
Notes
- Like a bit of spicy heat? Add some crushed red pepper flakes to the seasonings. Or use Pepper Jack cheese (or a blend including it) for the cheesy topping.
- Want a leaner version? Substitute ground turkey or ground chicken for the ground beef. Ground turkey browns more similarly to ground beef.
- Mix in some ground pork. To change the meat flavor, substitute ground pork for half of the ground beef or ground Italian sausage instead of ground beef. You can use hot Italian sausage or sweet Italian sausage or blend the two.
- Canned tomatoes. Tomatoes have to be one of the most controversial vegetables (technically they are a fruit). Though canned diced tomatoes are small in size if your crew doesn’t like tomatoes petit diced tomatoes are very small and a great substitute. Crushed tomatoes can also be used.
Sha says
Brought this cabbage roll casserole for a potluck and it was one of the crowd’s favorites! It was packed with flavors, super hearty and incredibly delicious. I’m keeping this recipe!
Abby says
This was so yummy! So flavorful and easy to make.
Matt says
This cabbage roll casserole is so yummy and super easy to make. I really like adding that cheese on top! And the leftovers are great.
Jessica says
I had never made this before so I was a newbie but not now! It was so easy to follow and the casserole tasted amazing!
Jessica says
I had never made these before so I was a newbie but not now! It was so easy to follow and it tasted amazing!
Casey says
This was perfect and the cheese took the flavor level over the top. My whole family enjoyed it!
Chenee says
I made this and added a little bit of sriracha because I like things spicy…cabbage has never tasted so good!
Andrea says
What an innovative way to have stuffed cabbage. It’s easy to make and is a perfect meal on a busy weeknight.
Dina and Bruce says
Love cabbage, and this was so easy! Tasty leftovers for lunch now!
Alison Corey says
I absolutely love the flavors of cabbage rolls, and this casserole version sounds fantastic! It’s such a convenient way to enjoy those delicious flavors without all the rolling.