Rustic Cabbage Roll Casserole Recipe: Family-Friendly Comfort

Comforting and packed with flavor, this incredible cabbage roll casserole delivers a traditional Eastern European dish that brings warmth to any dinner table.

Ground beef and rice nestle between layers of tender cabbage, creating a mouthwatering one-pan meal.

The recipe combines simple ingredients with rich, satisfying textures that remind you of home-cooked goodness.

Seasoned with herbs and spices, each bite tells a story of culinary tradition.

Families have loved this hearty casserole for generations, passing down its delicious secrets.

Generous portions and easy preparation make this a perfect weeknight dinner that everyone will enjoy.

Let’s uncover the magic of this classic comfort food that promises to become a staple in your recipe collection.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 55 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 7

Cabbage Roll Casserole – Ingredients at a Glance

• Ground Beef: Rich protein base that creates hearty flavor and substantial texture for the casserole.
• Onion: Adds deep, sweet undertones and aromatic foundation to the dish.
• Garlic: Provides intense, zesty punch that enhances overall savory profile.

• Tomato Sauce: Creates smooth, rich liquid environment for binding ingredients.
• Diced Tomatoes: Introduces bright, chunky texture and fresh tomato flavor.
• Tomato Paste: Concentrates tangy depth and helps thicken sauce naturally.

• Paprika: Delivers warm, slightly smoky undertone with beautiful reddish color.
• Thyme: Contributes earthy, delicate herbal notes that complement meat perfectly.
• Salt: Balances and amplifies all other ingredient flavors.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle heat and complexity to the overall taste.

• Cabbage: Provides tender, nutritious base layer with mild, slightly sweet crunch.
• Cooked Rice: Serves as hearty filler and absorbs delicious sauce flavors.

• Shredded Cheese: Creates golden, melty topping that adds creamy richness.

Tools That Help You Layer Like a Pro

• Large skillet: Perfect for browning ground beef and onions with even heat distribution.
• 9×13-inch casserole dish: Essential for layering and baking the entire casserole.
• Aluminum foil: Helps trap moisture and steam while cooking the cabbage.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring meat and mixing ingredients smoothly.
• Cheese grater: Useful for shredding cheese if not using pre-shredded variety.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient proportions.

How to Make This Cozy Cabbage Roll Casserole

• Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 375°F and give your baking dish a quick spray of cooking oil to prevent sticking.

• Brown the Meat

Sizzle ground beef and diced onions in a large skillet until they’re beautifully golden and all the excess fat is gone.

• Create the Sauce

Toss in garlic and swirl in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and a dash of tomato paste. Sprinkle in paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper. Let everything bubble and mingle for 5-7 minutes.

• Mix in the Rice

Stir in your cooked rice and pull the skillet off the heat.

• Layer the Casserole

Start with a bed of chopped cabbage, then spread half the meaty rice mixture. Repeat with another layer of cabbage and remaining meat mixture.

• Bake and Bubble

Cover the dish tightly with foil and slide it into the oven. Bake for 40-45 minutes until the cabbage is tender and soft.

• Cheese and Rest

If you’re using cheese, sprinkle it on top and return to the oven for 10 more minutes until it’s melted and golden. Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Tips for More Sauce, Spice, or Protein

• Prepare components ahead of time and assemble the casserole just before baking for a quick weeknight dinner.
• Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or lentils for a delicious vegetarian version that maintains the hearty texture.
• Add red pepper flakes or cayenne for extra heat, or experiment with smoked paprika to boost the smoky flavor profile.
• Substitute rice with cauliflower rice to create a lower-carbohydrate alternative that's equally satisfying and nutritious.

Serving Suggestions for a Hearty Slice

• Hearty Family Feast: Pair this comforting casserole with crusty garlic bread to soak up the delicious tomato sauce and add extra texture to the meal.
• Veggie Companion: Serve alongside a crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette to balance the rich, meaty casserole and add fresh, zesty notes to your plate.
• Creamy Cool Down: Top with a dollop of sour cream or plain Greek yogurt to cut through the warmth of the dish and provide a tangy, cooling contrast.
• Weekend Comfort Combo: Complement the casserole with a glass of robust red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon to enhance the deep, savory flavors of the ground beef and tomato sauce.

Store and Reheat With Flavor Intact

• Keep leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, maintaining delicious flavor and texture.
• Prepare entire casserole, wrap tightly in freezer-safe plastic wrap and aluminum foil, storing for 23 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
• Warm individual portions in microwave for 12 minutes, or restore entire casserole in 350F oven for 1520 minutes, adding splash of water to prevent drying out.
• Divide casserole into single-serving containers immediately after cooling, creating quick grab-and-go meals for busy weekdays or meal prep strategies.

Hearty Cabbage Roll Casserole Recipe

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4.6 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Hearty Polish Cabbage Roll Casserole brings layers of comfort and tradition to your dinner table. Savory ground meat, tender cabbage, and rich tomato sauce meld together in a satisfying one-dish meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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• 1 ½ cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese (optional topping)
• 2 cups cooked white rice
• 1 small head green cabbage, chopped (about 6 cups)
• 1 lb ground beef (or use half ground pork)
• 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) tomato sauce
• 1 can (14.5 oz / 411 g) diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp tomato paste (optional, for richer flavor)
• 1 tsp paprika
• ½ tsp dried thyme
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 375F (190C) and grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish, ensuring an even coating for easy removal.
2. Meat Base: In a large skillet, brown ground beef with onions over medium heat, carefully draining excess fat to maintain a rich, concentrated flavor.
3. Seasoning Fusion: Incorporate garlic, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper into the meat mixture, allowing ingredients to meld together during a gentle 5-7 minute simmer.
4. Rice Integration: Fold cooked rice into the seasoned meat mixture, creating a harmonious blend of textures and flavors.
5. Layering Technique: Create alternating layers in the casserole dish, starting with chopped cabbage, then spreading the meat and rice mixture, repeating to ensure even distribution of ingredients.
6. Baking Process: Cover dish tightly with foil and bake for 40-45 minutes, allowing cabbage to become tender and flavors to intensify.
7. Cheese Finale: Remove foil, sprinkle shredded cheese on top, and return to oven for an additional 10 minutes until cheese melts and develops a golden, bubbling surface.
8. Resting Period: Allow casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving, enabling flavors to settle and making portioning easier.

Notes

• Slice cabbage leaves thinly and evenly to ensure uniform cooking and prevent tough, undercooked sections.
• Remove all excess fat after browning ground beef to prevent a greasy, heavy casserole and maintain a lighter dish.
• Use day-old or slightly cooled rice to prevent mushy texture and help absorb flavors more effectively during baking.
• Add cheese during the last 10 minutes of baking to achieve perfect golden-brown melting without burning or drying out the top layer.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Eastern European

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 15 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg