Description
This Cabbage Roll Casserole offers the nostalgic flavors of traditional stuffed cabbage without the labor. Featuring layers of tender sautéed cabbage and a zesty, herb-infused ground beef and rice mixture, this ‘deconstructed’ version is hearty, easy to serve, and perfectly balanced with sweet paprika and a hint of Cajun spice.
Ingredients
The Meat & Rice Filling
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 1/2 cups cooked rice
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 cup carrots, medium grated
- 1 1/2 tsp fresh garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
The Savory Tomato Sauce
- 15 oz tomato sauce
- 15 oz chopped tomatoes (in liquid)
- 1 tbsp sugar (white or brown)
- Spices: 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper, 1 tsp sweet paprika, 1/4 tsp Cajun spice
The Cabbage & Topping
- 6 cups green cabbage, 1-inch cubes
- 1 tbsp olive oil + 1/4 cup water (for steaming)
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, grated
- Garnish: Fresh dill or parsley
Instructions
Aromatics: Sauté onion and carrots in olive oil for 2 mins.
Beef: Brown ground beef with the vegetables; add garlic and cook for 1 min. Drain fat.
Sauce: Stir in spices, tomato sauce, and chopped tomatoes. Simmer for 10 mins, then stir in cooked rice.
Cabbage: In a separate pan, steam cabbage with oil and 1/4 cup water until softened.
Layer: In a greased dish, layer cabbage and meat mixture twice. Top with mozzarella.
Bake: Cover with foil; bake at 350°F for 20 mins. Uncover and bake 20 mins more. Rest for 10 mins before serving.
Notes
Rice Texture: Pre-cooked rice is vital so it doesn’t soak up too much sauce, keeping the casserole moist.
Sweet & Sour Balance: The sugar balances the acidity of the tomatoes, mimicking the traditional European sweet-and-sour profile.
Uniform Cabbage: 1-inch cubes ensure even steaming and a consistent bite that feels like a rolled cabbage leaf.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing / Baking
- Cuisine: Eastern European Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Generous Scoop
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 780
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Unsaturated Fat: 11
- Trans Fat: 0.5
- Carbohydrates: 26
- Fiber: 5
- Protein: 22
- Cholesterol: 55
Keywords: cabbage roll casserole, deconstructed cabbage rolls, lazy cabbage rolls, ground beef and rice casserole, easy weeknight dinners, healthy cabbage recipes