Description
This hearty Cabbage Casserole is the ultimate comfort food for cold winter nights. It has all the savory flavors of traditional stuffed cabbage rolls—tender cabbage, seasoned ground beef, and a rich tomato sauce—but requires a fraction of the effort. Topped with melted bubbly cheese, this ‘unstuffed’ version is naturally gluten-free, low carb, and family-friendly.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 lb lean ground beef (or ground turkey)
1 large onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium head green cabbage, chopped into 1-inch pieces (about 8 cups)
1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes or gluten-free marinara sauce
1 teaspoon dried thyme or Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar or mozzarella cheese
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
1. Preheat: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
2. Brown Meat: In a large deep skillet or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and onion. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until the beef is browned and the onions are soft (about 6-8 minutes). Drain excess fat if necessary.
3. Season & Simmer: Add the minced garlic, thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the chopped cabbage and the crushed tomatoes. Reduce heat to medium, cover, and simmer for 10–15 minutes, or until the cabbage is significantly wilted and tender-crisp.
4. Assemble: Stir in ½ cup of the shredded cheese into the beef and cabbage mixture. Pour the entire mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.
5. Top & Bake: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese over the top. Bake for 20–25 minutes, until the cheese is melted, golden brown, and the casserole is bubbling at the edges.
6. Serve: Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley.
Notes
Add Rice: For a heartier meal, you can stir in 1-2 cups of cooked white or brown rice into the mixture before baking.
Make Ahead: You can assemble the casserole up to a day in advance and store it covered in the fridge. Add 10-15 minutes to the baking time if cooking from cold.
Spice It Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or use fire-roasted tomatoes for a spicy kick.
Dairy Free: To make this dairy-free, simply omit the cheese or use a vegan cheese alternative.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 40
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 7
- Sodium: 680
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Unsaturated Fat: 8
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 14
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 24
- Cholesterol: 65