Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Casserole: A Hearty One-Pan Comfort Meal

Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Casserole is a warm, filling, and comforting dish inspired by classic stuffed cabbage rolls, but made in a much easier way. Instead of rolling cabbage leaves around a meat and rice filling, everything is cooked together in layers or mixed in one baking dish. The result is the same cozy flavor: tender cabbage, seasoned ground beef, rice, tomato sauce, garlic, onion, and herbs baked into a rich casserole.

This recipe is perfect for family dinners, meal prep, cold evenings, or anytime you want a simple homemade meal that tastes like traditional cabbage rolls without all the extra work.

What Makes Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Casserole Special?

Traditional cabbage rolls can take a long time because the cabbage leaves need to be softened, filled, rolled, and arranged carefully. This casserole keeps the same classic ingredients but removes the difficult steps.

The cabbage becomes soft and slightly sweet as it bakes. The beef and rice make the dish hearty, while the tomato sauce brings everything together with a rich, savory flavor. It is simple, affordable, and satisfying.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 1 medium head green cabbage, chopped
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
• 1 can diced tomatoes, about 14.5 oz
• 1 can tomato sauce, about 15 oz
• 2 cups beef broth or chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon sugar, optional, to balance the tomato acidity

Optional Topping

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Step 1: Prepare the Cabbage

Start by removing any damaged outer leaves from the cabbage. Cut the cabbage in half, remove the hard core, then chop the cabbage into bite-size pieces.

You do not need perfect pieces. The cabbage will soften while cooking, so rough chopping is fine.

Wash the chopped cabbage and drain it well. Too much water can make the casserole thin, so shake off as much moisture as possible.

Step 2: Cook the Ground Beef

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Add the ground beef and break it apart with a spoon. Cook until the beef is browned and no longer pink.

If there is too much grease in the pan, drain some of it. A little fat adds flavor, but too much can make the casserole oily.

Step 3: Add Onion and Garlic

Add the diced onion to the cooked beef. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until the onion becomes soft.

Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.

Garlic burns quickly, so stir it constantly and do not cook it too long.

At this stage, the beef mixture should smell savory and rich.

Step 4: Season the Beef Mixture

Add salt, black pepper, paprika, Italian seasoning, thyme, onion powder, and garlic powder.

Stir well so the seasoning spreads evenly through the meat.

Add the tomato paste and cook it for 1 minute with the beef. This helps deepen the tomato flavor and gives the casserole a richer taste.

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