Description

A hearty and comforting cabbage casserole featuring layers of tender cabbage leaves, savory ground beef or turkey, seasoned rice, and melted cheese. This easy-to-make casserole is perfect for a nutritious family dinner, combining wholesome ingredients with rich flavors in a baked dish that everyone will enjoy.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables

1 medium head cabbage (about 2 pounds)
1 medium onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced

Meat & Protein

1 pound ground beef or turkey

Grains

1 cup cooked white rice

Other Ingredients

1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes with juice
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or Italian blend)
2 tablespoons olive oil or butter

Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
Prepare the Cabbage: Remove the core from the cabbage and carefully peel away the leaves. Blanch the leaves in boiling water for about 5 minutes until softened, then drain and set aside.
Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil or butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing until the onion becomes translucent, about 4-5 minutes.
Cook the Meat: Add the ground beef or turkey to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain excess fat if necessary to reduce greasiness.
Combine Ingredients: Stir in the cooked rice, diced tomatoes with juice, paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes to meld the flavors well.
First Layer: In the casserole dish, layer half of the blanched cabbage leaves at the bottom, then spoon half of the meat and rice mixture evenly over the cabbage.
Second Layer: Add another layer of cabbage leaves, followed by the remaining meat mixture. Top with the remaining cabbage leaves to fully cover the filling.
Add Cheese and Bake: Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top layer of cabbage. Cover the casserole dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
Finish Baking: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese turns bubbly and golden brown.
Cool and Serve: Allow the casserole to cool for a few minutes to set before serving. This will help the layers hold together when sliced.

Notes

You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
Use low-fat cheese to reduce calories and fat content.
For extra flavor, add chopped fresh herbs like parsley or thyme in the meat mixture.
If preferred, brown rice can be used instead of white rice, adjusting the cooking time accordingly.
The casserole can be prepared a day ahead and refrigerated before baking to enhance flavors.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice (approximately 1/6 of casserole)
Calories: 350 kcal
Sugar: 6 g
Sodium: 480 mg
Fat: 15 g
Saturated Fat: 6 g
Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 28 g
Fiber: 5 g
Protein: 22 g
Cholesterol: 65 mg

Keywords: cabbage casserole, ground beef recipe, baked cabbage dish, easy casserole, family dinner, comfort food