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Easy Cheesy Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Casserole Recipe Perfect for Weeknights

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A comforting and easy-to-make casserole that captures the flavors of traditional cabbage rolls without the hassle of rolling. Perfect for busy weeknights, this cheesy, savory dish combines tender cabbage, ground beef, rice, and melted cheddar cheese.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb lean ground beef (90% lean preferred)
  • 1 medium head green cabbage (about 4 cups shredded)
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup cooked white rice
  • 15 oz tomato sauce
  • 14.5 oz diced tomatoes, drained
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook for 6-8 minutes, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon until no longer pink and starting to brown. Drain excess fat if needed.
  3. Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  4. Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir well and let the sauce simmer gently for 5 minutes.
  5. While the sauce simmers, shred the cabbage finely into roughly 1-inch wide pieces.
  6. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked rice, shredded cabbage, and beef-tomato sauce mixture thoroughly.
  7. Transfer the mixture evenly into a 9×13-inch baking dish and press lightly to compact the layers.
  8. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the casserole.
  9. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden at the edges.
  10. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

If cheese browns too quickly, cover casserole loosely with foil halfway through baking. For less crunchy cabbage, shred finer or cook mixture a few minutes on stove before baking. Use day-old rice to prevent gluey texture. Drain excess fat from beef to avoid watery casserole. Variations include using ground turkey, plant-based crumbles, cauliflower rice for low-carb, or dairy-free cheese alternatives.

Nutrition

Keywords: cabbage roll casserole, easy casserole, cheesy casserole, weeknight dinner, comfort food, ground beef casserole, unstuffed cabbage rolls

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