Stuffed Cabbage Roll Casserole: Your Cozy, Hearty, and Flavorful One-Dish Meal!
Hey there, Jason Griffith here! When the weather calls for a truly comforting and deeply satisfying meal, a classic Stuffed Cabbage Roll Casserole is always a fantastic choice. It captures all the delicious flavors of traditional cabbage rolls – tender cabbage, seasoned ground beef, and fluffy rice, all simmered in a rich tomato sauce – but in an easy, deconstructed casserole form. It’s the ultimate cozy dinner, perfect for feeding a family or a crowd here in Marion, South Carolina!
Why I Love This Recipe
I’m a huge advocate for hearty, flavorful meals that are both convenient and incredibly satisfying, and this casserole absolutely delivers. What I particularly love about this Stuffed Cabbage Roll Casserole is how it provides all the beloved taste and texture of labor-intensive rolled cabbage without the individual rolling fuss! The chopped cabbage becomes wonderfully tender, the ground beef is savory and rich, and the rice soaks up all the delicious tomato and beef broth flavors. It’s a complete meal in one baking dish, making cleanup a breeze, and it tastes even better as leftovers. It’s a true testament to comforting, homestyle cooking!
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to create this cozy and hearty Stuffed Cabbage Roll Casserole:
- 2 pounds ground beef (lean or 80/20 blend)
- 3 ½ pounds chopped cabbage (green cabbage, cored and chopped into about 1-inch pieces)
- 1 (29 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 cup chopped onion (yellow or white onion)
- 1 cup uncooked white rice (long-grain or medium-grain)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 (14 ounce) cans beef broth (low sodium preferred)
Swaps and Notes
- Ground Beef: Lean ground beef works well. You can also use a mix of ground beef and pork, or even ground turkey for a lighter option.
- Cabbage: Green cabbage is classic for this dish. Chop it into roughly 1-inch pieces; it will cook down significantly.
- Tomato Sauce: A large can of plain tomato sauce is the base. You can add a tablespoon or two of tomato paste for deeper flavor if desired.
- Onion: Chopped onion adds essential aromatic flavor.
- Uncooked White Rice: The rice cooks right in the casserole, absorbing the liquid and flavors. Do not pre-cook the rice.
- Beef Broth: Low-sodium beef broth allows you to control the overall saltiness of the casserole.
- Seasoning (Optional): You can add a pinch of black pepper, a teaspoon of dried parsley, or a dash of garlic powder for extra flavor. A touch of brown sugar (1-2 tablespoons) can also be added to balance the tomato’s acidity, if you prefer a slightly sweeter profile.
Directions
Making this Stuffed Cabbage Roll Casserole is straightforward, mostly involving mixing and baking in one dish!
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Brown Ground Beef: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, cook the 2 pounds ground beef over medium heat, breaking it up with a spoon, until it’s browned and cooked through. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
- Combine All Ingredients: Transfer the browned ground beef to a very large mixing bowl (or directly into a large 9×13-inch baking dish if it’s large enough for mixing). Add the 3 ½ pounds chopped cabbage, 1 (29 ounce) can tomato sauce, 1 cup chopped onion, 1 cup uncooked white rice, 1 teaspoon salt, and the 2 (14 ounce) cans beef broth.
- Mix Thoroughly: Stir all the ingredients together thoroughly until they are well combined. Ensure the rice is evenly distributed throughout the mixture, as it will absorb liquid as it bakes.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: If you mixed in a separate bowl, pour the entire mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish and spread it out evenly.
- Bake: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour and 30 minutes.
- Uncover & Continue Bake: After 1 hour and 30 minutes, remove the foil. Continue to bake for another 15-30 minutes, or until the cabbage is very tender, the rice is cooked through, and the casserole is bubbly. If desired, you can sprinkle a little extra black pepper or fresh parsley on top at this stage.
- Rest & Serve: Once it’s out of the oven, let the casserole rest for 10-15 minutes. This allows the liquids to settle and the flavors to meld. Serve hot and enjoy this hearty, comfort-food classic!
Tips for Success
- Chop Cabbage Finely: Chop the cabbage into manageable pieces (about 1-inch squares or strips) so it cooks down easily.
- Drain Beef Well: Removing excess fat from the ground beef helps keep the casserole from being greasy.
- Don’t Pre-Cook Rice: The uncooked rice absorbs the liquid from the sauce and broth as it bakes, cooking right in the casserole.
- Cover Tightly: Covering the casserole for the initial baking period helps the cabbage and rice cook evenly in the steamy environment.
- Taste & Adjust: Taste the finished casserole and adjust salt or pepper as needed. The flavors are rich and hearty.
- Patience: Cabbage rolls (even deconstructed ones) take time to become tender and flavorful. Don’t rush the baking.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
This Stuffed Cabbage Roll Casserole is a complete and incredibly satisfying meal on its own! It’s perfect for a cozy family dinner or a hearty potluck. You really don’t need much else, but a simple side could be:
- Crusty bread or dinner rolls for dipping in the sauce.
- A side of sour cream for serving (a classic pairing with cabbage rolls).
- A light green salad with a simple vinaigrette to cut through the richness.
For other fantastic comforting beef dishes, you might also enjoy my Classic, Hearty Beef Stew or my tender Braised Oxtails.
Storage and Leftover Tips
Leftover Stuffed Cabbage Roll Casserole is fantastic, often tasting even better the next day! Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, cover loosely with foil and warm in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) until heated through and bubbly, or microwave individual portions. This casserole also freezes exceptionally well for up to 3 months; thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
More Recipes You Will Love
If you loved the hearty, comforting, and savory flavors of this casserole, here are a few more fantastic savory recipes that I think you’ll absolutely love:
- For another comforting ground beef and rice dish, check out my Cheesy Ground Beef Rice Casserole.
- If you’re a fan of tender beef from the slow cooker, my Slow Cooker Beef Brisket with BBQ Sauce is a fantastic choice.
- For an incredibly savory and satisfying beef and veggie dish, my Chinese Meat Pies are a unique and delicious option.
- And for another hearty, saucy skillet meal, my This Tomato Skillet with Okra and Sausage Is My Favorite Quick Dinner Packed with Southern Flavor is a great option.
Final Thoughts
This Stuffed Cabbage Roll Casserole is a true gem of homestyle cooking – incredibly flavorful, hearty, and easy to make, delivering all the comfort of classic cabbage rolls without the fuss. It’s perfect for feeding your family and guaranteed to bring smiles to the dinner table. Give it a bake, and enjoy this delicious, cozy classic!
What’s your favorite traditional casserole to make for family dinners? Share your ideas and feedback in the comments below, and don’t forget to follow Chef Maniac for more delightful and inspiring recipes!
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