Cabbage Roll Casserole

This Cabbage Roll Casserole takes everything you love about traditional cabbage rolls and transforms it into an easy, crowd-pleasing casserole that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Imagine layers of tender cabbage, perfectly seasoned ground beef, and melty cheese coming together in one magnificent dish. The best part? You get all the authentic flavors of classic cabbage rolls without the fussy rolling and stuffing. It’s a busy cook’s dream come true!

Ingredients

For the Meat Mixture:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1½ pounds lean ground beef
• ½ cup onion, minced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon dill
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper

For the Sauce and Base:

• 24 ounces marinara sauce
• 14 ounces diced tomatoes, with juices
• 2 cups cooked rice
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 6 cups cabbage, roughly chopped
• 2 cups Colby Jack cheese, shredded

Steps

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Position rack in the center for even heating.
2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and minced onion. Cook for 8-10 minutes, breaking up meat with a wooden spoon until no pink remains and onions are translucent. Drain excess fat if needed.
3. Add garlic, seasonings, salt, and pepper. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant – don’t overcook or garlic will become bitter.
4. Stir in marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, and cooked rice. Simmer for 5 minutes to meld flavors. The mixture should be moist but not soupy.
5. In a separate large pot, melt 2 tablespoons butter over high heat. Add cabbage and cook for 3-4 minutes until just wilted with some brown spots. Don’t overcook – cabbage should retain some texture.
6. Layer in a 9×13 inch baking dish: half the cabbage, half the meat mixture, 1 cup cheese. Repeat layers, finishing with remaining cheese.
7. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until cheese is melted and edges are bubbling. Internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
8. Let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley.

Smart Swaps

• Substitute ground turkey for beef to reduce calories
• Use cauliflower rice instead of regular rice for lower carbs
• Try Swiss or provolone cheese for variety

Make It Diabetes-Friendly

• Replace rice with riced cauliflower (reduces carbs by 30g per serving)
• Use no-sugar-added marinara sauce
• Portion into 8 servings instead of 6 for better glycemic control
• Pair with a side salad to slow carb absorption

Pro Tips

• Prep cabbage ahead and store in fridge to save time
• Use pre-cooked rice for faster assembly
• Line baking dish with parchment for easier cleanup