Hearty Cabbage Casserole - Healthy Recipes Blog (2024)

You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make this casserole. The exact measurements are included in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of what you'll need:

• Olive oil: If you prefer an oil with a higher smoke point, use avocado oil.
• Lean ground beef: I use 85% lean and 15% fat.
• Onion and garlic: Jarred minced garlic is acceptable, but freshly minced will have the best flavor.
• To season: Kosher salt, black pepper, paprika, thyme, and cayenne pepper.
• Diced tomatoes: Drain them well.
• Green cabbage: You want it roughly chopped, so it's best to buy a whole head of cabbage and chop it yourself. Bagged chopped cabbage is usually finely chopped.
• Shredded cheddar: I love the flavor of extra-sharp cheddar in this casserole.

One of the best things about this casserole is how easy it is to make. Scroll down to the recipe card for detailed instructions. Here are the basic steps:

You start by cooking ground beef, onions, garlic, and spices in olive oil.

Add the tomatoes and shredded cabbage and cook until the cabbage is tender.

Turn the heat off and stir in shredded cheddar.

Transfer the mixture to a greased casserole dish. Top with more cheese.

Bake the casserole until the cheese is browned, 20-30 minutes, in a 400°F oven.

Expert Tip

When the casserole is ready, some liquid will be on the bottom. After the casserole has cooled off a little, you can carefully tip the baking dish into the sink and drain some of it off. But it's OK to just leave it in the pan.

Should I add rice to this casserole?

While cabbage rolls are made with rice, there's no need to use it in this casserole. In fact, none of my casseroles contain a starchy ingredient, and we don't miss it in the least.

Should I cook the cabbage before adding it to the casserole?

You could lightly steam it, but it's an unnecessary extra step. It's OK to simply mix it raw into the ground beef and cook it until it's tender.

Can I use red cabbage?

I don't recommend that. It should be fine in terms of flavor and texture, but the color could be off-putting. I prefer using green cabbage.

Serving Suggestions

This tasty casserole is an entire meal, so you don't need to serve it with a side dish.

When I add a vegetable side, I typically add a salad, a steamed vegetable, or a veggie that I can bake in the same 400°F oven as the casserole. Here are a few ideas:

• Roasted asparagus
• Steamed broccoli
• Roasted mini sweet peppers
• Arugula salad
• Cucumber tomato salad
• Roasted carrots
• Steamed asparagus

Storing Leftovers

You can keep the leftovers in the fridge, in an airtight container, for 3-4 days. Reheat them in the microwave, covered, at 50% power. Like many casseroles, it improves after being refrigerated for a day or two. You can also freeze this casserole for up to three months.

Hearty Cabbage Casserole

This hearty cabbage casserole has all the flavors of stuffed cabbage rolls but requires much less work.

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 376kcal

Add Your Own Notes

Nutrition per Serving

Calories: 376kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Sodium: 884mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 8g