Description
A cozy Southern-inspired cabbage roll casserole that delivers all the comfort of traditional cabbage rolls—without the rolling. Layers of beef, rice, cabbage, and tomato sauce baked into a weeknight-friendly classic.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
1 onion, chopped
3 cups chopped green cabbage
2 cups cooked white rice
2 cups tomato sauce
1 tsp garlic powder
Salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 tsp paprika (optional for heat)
Shredded cheese (optional)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a large casserole dish.
2. Cook ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until browned. Add onion and garlic powder; cook until soft. Drain excess fat.
3. Stir in cooked rice, tomato sauce, salt, pepper, and paprika.
4. Layer half of the cabbage in the casserole dish, then half of the meat mixture. Repeat layers.
5. Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes.
6. Uncover, top with shredded cheese (if using), and bake 15 more minutes until golden.
7. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Swap ground beef with turkey or plant-based meat for variety.
Use cauliflower rice for a low-carb version.
Cabbage softens during baking—no need to pre-cook.
Freezes well: assemble unbaked and freeze up to 2 months.
Leftovers store in fridge up to 5 days and reheat beautifully.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 65 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 375
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: cabbage roll casserole, Southern casserole, beef and rice bake, cabbage recipes, freezer friendly casserole