Stuffed cabbage roll casserole is a cozy, hearty dish that brings all the comforting flavors of traditional cabbage rolls—without the fuss of rolling. With layers of tender cabbage, seasoned ground beef, rice, and a rich tomato sauce, this baked casserole is a one-dish wonder I love making when I want something warm, filling, and family-friendly.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love this recipe because it takes everything I enjoy about classic cabbage rolls and makes it so much easier. No tedious wrapping or rolling—just layer, bake, and dig in. It’s the perfect comfort food for cooler weather, meal prepping, or feeding a crowd, and the leftovers taste even better the next day.
Ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Ground beef
- Onion (chopped)
- Garlic (minced)
- Green cabbage (chopped)
- Cooked white rice
- Crushed tomatoes
- Tomato sauce
- Worcestershire sauce
- Paprika
- Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper
- Olive oil
- Optional: shredded mozzarella or cheddar for topping
- Optional: fresh parsley for garnish
Directions
- I preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a large skillet, I heat olive oil and sauté the onion and garlic until soft, then add the ground beef and cook until browned. I season it with salt, pepper, paprika, and Worcestershire sauce.
- I stir in the cooked rice, tomato sauce, and crushed tomatoes. I simmer the mixture for 5–10 minutes to let the flavors come together.
- In a separate pan, I sauté the chopped cabbage with a pinch of salt until slightly softened (or I steam it briefly in the microwave).
- To assemble, I layer half the cabbage in the baking dish, spoon over half the meat mixture, then repeat with the remaining cabbage and meat.
- I cover the casserole with foil and bake for 40 minutes. If I’m using cheese, I uncover the dish and sprinkle it on top, then bake for another 10–15 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- I let it rest for 10 minutes before serving and garnish with chopped parsley if I want a fresh touch.
Servings and Timing
This recipe makes about 6–8 servings. It takes around 25 minutes to prep and 50–60 minutes to bake, so I usually have it ready in about 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Variations
- I use ground turkey instead of beef..
- A little hot sauce or red pepper flakes adds some heat.
- For a low-carb version, I swap the rice with riced cauliflower.
- I sometimes add a layer of cheese in the middle for extra richness.
Storage/Reheating
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. It reheats well in the microwave or oven. This dish also freezes great—I cool it completely, portion it, and freeze in containers for up to 3 months.
FAQs
Can I use uncooked rice?
I prefer using cooked rice to ensure it bakes evenly and absorbs flavor, but some versions work with parboiled rice—just adjust the liquid and bake time accordingly.
Do I need to pre-cook the cabbage?
I like to sauté or steam it a bit first so it softens up in the oven, but I’ve layered it raw before and it still cooks through—just takes a little longer.
Can I make this ahead?
Yes! I often assemble it the night before, refrigerate it covered, and bake the next day. I add an extra 10–15 minutes to the bake time if starting cold.
Is this gluten-free?
Yes, as long as I use gluten-free Worcestershire sauce and double-check any other ingredients.
What should I serve with it?
It’s great on its own, but I sometimes serve it with a simple green salad, crusty bread, or roasted vegetables.
Conclusion
Stuffed cabbage roll casserole is everything I love about old-fashioned comfort food—warm, hearty, and made to share. With layers of savory meat, rice, cabbage, and tomato goodness, it’s the kind of meal that satisfies every time. I keep it in my recipe rotation because it’s easy to make, great for leftovers, and always gets cleaned off the plate.
Print
Stuffed Cabbage Roll Casserole
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 50–60 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 servings
- Category: Dinner, Casserole
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American, Eastern European
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Stuffed Cabbage Roll Casserole is a cozy, layered comfort food dish with tender cabbage, seasoned ground beef, rice, and tomato sauce—no rolling required. This easy, family-friendly casserole is a hearty spin on classic cabbage rolls.
Ingredients
- Ground beef
- Onion, chopped
- Garlic, minced
- Green cabbage, chopped
- Cooked white rice
- Crushed tomatoes
- Tomato sauce
- Worcestershire sauce
- Paprika
- Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper
- Olive oil
- Optional: shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese (for topping)
- Optional: fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil and sauté onion and garlic until soft. Add ground beef and cook until browned. Season with salt, pepper, paprika, Worcestershire, and Italian seasoning.
- Stir in cooked rice, crushed tomatoes, and tomato sauce. Simmer for 5–10 minutes.
- In a separate pan or microwave, sauté or steam cabbage until slightly softened.
- Layer half the cabbage in the dish, followed by half the meat mixture. Repeat with remaining cabbage and meat.
- Cover with foil and bake for 40 minutes. Remove foil, top with cheese if using, and bake uncovered for 10–15 minutes until bubbly.
- Let rest 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley if desired.
