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Easy Cheesy Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Casserole

easy cheesy unstuffed cabbage roll casserole - featured image
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A quick and comforting casserole that captures the classic flavors of cabbage rolls without the fuss of rolling. Perfect for busy weeknights and family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450 grams) ground beef (85% lean recommended)
  • 1 medium head green cabbage (about 2 pounds / 900 grams), shredded or chopped
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup (190 grams) cooked rice (white, brown, or cauliflower rice)
  • 1 can (15 ounces / 425 grams) tomato sauce (no-sugar-added preferred)
  • 1 can (14.5 ounces / 410 grams) diced tomatoes with juices
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (or mix of dried basil, oregano, thyme)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 cups (200 grams) shredded cheddar cheese (sharp or mild)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Remove outer leaves from cabbage, rinse well, then shred or chop into bite-sized pieces (about 6 cups or 450 grams).
  3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion and sauté for about 3 minutes until translucent.
  4. Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Add ground beef, break it up with a wooden spoon, and cook until browned, about 6-7 minutes. Drain excess fat.
  6. Add chopped cabbage to the skillet with the beef mixture. Stir and cook for about 5 minutes until cabbage softens but retains some crunch.
  7. Stir in cooked rice evenly through the beef and cabbage mixture.
  8. Pour in tomato sauce and diced tomatoes with juices. Stir to combine.
  9. Add Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste. Stir and simmer for 3-4 minutes.
  10. Transfer mixture to a 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading evenly.
  11. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
  12. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until cheese is melted, bubbly, and edges are slightly golden.
  13. Let casserole rest for about 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Drain excess fat after browning beef to avoid greasiness. Do not overcook cabbage to prevent watery casserole. Rest casserole after baking to help it set. For extra cheesy crust, broil 1-2 minutes watching carefully. Can prepare mixture a day ahead and refrigerate before baking. Freezes well for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: cabbage roll casserole, unstuffed cabbage rolls, cheesy casserole, quick family dinner, ground beef casserole

Find it online: https://zoeplate.com/easy-cheesy-unstuffed-cabbage-roll-casserole-recipe-for-quick-family-dinners/