Hearty Cabbage & Ground Beef Casserole
Creamy, juicy, and bursting with comforting flavors, this casserole brings together tender cabbage, savory browned beef, and a rich tomato base with a touch of rice for body.
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Servings: 4 servings
Equipment
- Large Skillet
- Casserole Dish
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground beef Lean or 80/20 depending on preference.
- 1 small Onion Chopped (about 1 cup).
- 3 cloves Garlic Minced.
- 1 small head Cabbage Chopped (about 6–7 cups chopped).
- 1 can (15 oz) Diced tomatoes With juice.
- 1 can (8 oz) Tomato sauce
- 1 cup Cooked rice White or brown, cooled.
- 1 tsp Salt Adjust to taste.
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper Adjust to taste.
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish or a similarly sized baking dish with a light coat of oil or nonstick spray.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef. Break it apart with a spatula and cook until no longer pink and starting to brown, about 6–8 minutes.
- Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the beef and continue cooking until the onion is translucent, about 4 minutes. Stir occasionally so the onion softens evenly.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30–60 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Add the chopped cabbage to the skillet and cook, stirring, until it begins to soften and reduce in volume, about 5–7 minutes. The cabbage should be tender but not fully collapsed.
- Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juice and the tomato sauce. Stir well to combine and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer for 2–3 minutes.
- Mix in the cooked rice and season the mixture with salt and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed; a pinch of sugar can balance acidity if desired.
- Transfer the entire mixture to the prepared casserole dish, spreading it into an even layer. Press gently to compact slightly.
- Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and the cabbage to finish softening.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10–15 minutes until the top is bubbly and slightly browned. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Top with cheese during the last 10 minutes of baking for a melty finish. Serve with a crisp green salad or crusty bread.