Deconstructed Delight: The Easiest Cabbage Roll Casserole You’ll Ever Make

Are you craving the comforting flavors of traditional cabbage rolls but dread the time-consuming rolling process? Look no further! This easy cabbage roll casserole recipe delivers all the deliciousness of the classic dish in a fraction of the time and with minimal effort. It’s the perfect weeknight meal that’s both satisfying and budget-friendly.

## Why You’ll Love This Cabbage Roll Casserole

* **Effortless Preparation:** Forget the tedious task of blanching and rolling cabbage leaves. This casserole layers the ingredients for a simple and straightforward assembly.
* **Comfort Food at Its Best:** This dish combines ground meat, rice, cabbage, and a tangy tomato sauce to create a warm and flavorful meal that’s sure to please everyone.
* **Customizable:** Easily adapt the recipe to your preferences by adding different vegetables, using different types of ground meat, or adjusting the spice level.
* **Budget-Friendly:** Cabbage, rice, and ground meat are all relatively inexpensive ingredients, making this a great option for feeding a crowd on a budget.
* **Freezer-Friendly:** This casserole freezes beautifully, making it a convenient make-ahead meal for busy weeknights.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

Before we dive into the recipe, let’s gather our ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:

* **Ground Meat:** 1.5 pounds ground beef (or a mixture of beef and pork, or ground turkey/chicken for a lighter option). Look for ground beef with a leaner percentage to avoid excess grease.
* **Cabbage:** 1 medium head of cabbage, shredded. Green cabbage is the standard choice, but Savoy cabbage offers a slightly milder flavor.
* **Rice:** 1 cup uncooked long-grain rice. You can also use brown rice for a nuttier flavor and added fiber, but it will require a longer cooking time.
* **Onion:** 1 medium yellow onion, chopped. Adds depth of flavor to the casserole.
* **Garlic:** 2-3 cloves garlic, minced. Essential for adding a savory aroma and flavor.
* **Tomato Sauce:** 28 ounces tomato sauce. Use a plain tomato sauce or one with added herbs for extra flavor.
* **Diced Tomatoes:** 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes, undrained. Provides texture and adds to the tomato flavor.
* **Tomato Paste:** 2 tablespoons tomato paste. Intensifies the tomato flavor and helps thicken the sauce.
* **Beef Broth (or Water):** 1 cup. Helps cook the rice and keeps the casserole moist.
* **Worcestershire Sauce:** 1 tablespoon. Adds a savory umami flavor.
* **Paprika:** 1 teaspoon. Adds a subtle smoky flavor and enhances the color.
* **Dried Thyme:** 1/2 teaspoon. Adds an earthy and aromatic flavor.
* **Dried Oregano:** 1/2 teaspoon. Contributes to the classic Italian flavor profile.
* **Salt and Pepper:** To taste. Season generously to bring out the flavors of the ingredients.
* **Optional Toppings:** Sour cream, fresh parsley, shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or provolone).

## Step-by-Step Instructions

Now that we have our ingredients, let’s get cooking! Follow these simple steps to create your delicious cabbage roll casserole:

**Step 1: Prepare the Ground Meat Mixture**

1. In a large skillet or Dutch oven, brown the ground meat over medium-high heat. Break it up with a spoon as it cooks.
2. Drain off any excess grease. Leaving too much grease will result in a greasy casserole.
3. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. The onions should be translucent and the garlic fragrant.
4. Stir in the tomato paste, paprika, dried thyme, dried oregano, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to toast the spices and enhance their flavor.

**Step 2: Build the Casserole**

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. This will prevent the casserole from sticking.
3. Spread 1/3 of the shredded cabbage evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
4. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of the uncooked rice over the cabbage. Ensure the rice is distributed evenly.
5. Pour half of the ground meat mixture over the rice. Spread it out to cover the rice completely.
6. Pour half of the tomato sauce and diced tomatoes over the meat mixture. Make sure the sauce covers everything evenly.
7. Repeat layers: Add another 1/3 of the shredded cabbage, the remaining 1/2 cup of rice, the remaining ground meat mixture, and the remaining tomato sauce and diced tomatoes.
8. Top with the final 1/3 of the shredded cabbage.
9. Pour the beef broth (or water) evenly over the casserole. This will help cook the rice and keep the casserole moist.

**Step 3: Bake the Casserole**

1. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. This will trap the steam and help cook the rice and cabbage evenly.
2. Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour. The foil prevents the top from burning and allows the ingredients to meld together.
3. Remove the foil and bake for another 20-30 minutes, or until the cabbage is tender and the rice is cooked through. The top should be lightly browned.
4. Let the casserole rest for 10-15 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together even further and makes it easier to slice.

**Step 4: Serve and Enjoy!**

1. Serve hot, topped with sour cream, fresh parsley, and/or shredded cheese, if desired.
2. Enjoy your delicious and easy cabbage roll casserole!

## Tips and Variations

* **Add Vegetables:** Feel free to add other vegetables to the casserole, such as carrots, bell peppers, or mushrooms. Sauté them with the onion and garlic for the best flavor.
* **Use Different Ground Meat:** Ground turkey or chicken can be used in place of ground beef for a leaner option. You can also use a mixture of ground beef and pork for a richer flavor.
* **Spice it Up:** Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the ground meat mixture for a little heat.
* **Add Smoked Sausage:** For a smoky flavor, add some chopped smoked sausage to the casserole. Cook the sausage with the ground meat.
* **Use Brown Rice:** Brown rice can be used in place of white rice, but it will require a longer cooking time. You may also need to add more liquid.
* **Make it Vegetarian:** Replace the ground meat with lentils or crumbled tempeh for a vegetarian version. Use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
* **Add a Creamy Sauce:** For a richer casserole, stir in a cup of sour cream or cream cheese into the tomato sauce mixture before layering the casserole. This adds a wonderful tang and creamy texture.
* **Cheese Topping:** Add shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or provolone) during the last 10 minutes of baking for a cheesy topping. This adds a nice layer of flavor and texture.
* **Seasoning Adjustments:** Taste the tomato sauce mixture before layering and adjust the seasonings (salt, pepper, herbs) to your liking. Everyone has different preferences, so don’t be afraid to customize.
* **Fresh Herbs:** If you have fresh herbs on hand, such as parsley, dill, or chives, chop them and add them to the casserole after baking for a burst of fresh flavor.
* **Layering Variations:** While the described layering method is the easiest, you can experiment with different layering techniques. For example, you could mix all the ingredients (except the cabbage) in a large bowl and then layer the cabbage on top. This ensures that the meat and rice are evenly distributed throughout the casserole.

## Make-Ahead and Freezing Instructions

* **Make-Ahead:** This casserole can be assembled ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. Just be sure to cover it tightly with plastic wrap or foil.
* **Freezing:** To freeze the casserole, let it cool completely after baking. Then, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and then bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through.

## Serving Suggestions

This cabbage roll casserole is a complete meal on its own, but here are some serving suggestions to enhance your dining experience:

* **Side Salad:** Serve with a simple green salad or a cucumber salad for a refreshing contrast to the richness of the casserole.
* **Crusty Bread:** Crusty bread is perfect for soaking up the delicious sauce.
* **Mashed Potatoes:** For an extra comforting meal, serve with a side of mashed potatoes.
* **Steamed Vegetables:** Steamed green beans, broccoli, or carrots make a healthy and colorful side dish.

## Nutritional Information (Approximate)**

(Note: Nutritional information can vary depending on the specific ingredients used.)

* Serving Size: 1/8 of the casserole
* Calories: Approximately 350-450
* Protein: 25-35g
* Fat: 15-25g
* Carbohydrates: 30-40g

## Recipe Card

**Yields:** 8 servings
**Prep Time:** 20 minutes
**Cook Time:** 1 hour 20 minutes

**Ingredients:**

* 1.5 lbs ground beef
* 1 medium head cabbage, shredded
* 1 cup uncooked long-grain rice
* 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
* 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
* 28 oz tomato sauce
* 14.5 oz diced tomatoes, undrained
* 2 tbsp tomato paste
* 1 cup beef broth (or water)
* 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
* 1 tsp paprika
* ½ tsp dried thyme
* ½ tsp dried oregano
* Salt and pepper to taste
* Optional: Sour cream, fresh parsley, shredded cheese

**Instructions:**

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
2. Brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Drain excess grease.
3. Add onion and garlic; cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
4. Stir in tomato paste, paprika, thyme, oregano, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce; cook for 1 minute.
5. Layer in baking dish: 1/3 cabbage, ½ cup rice, ½ meat mixture, ½ tomato sauce & diced tomatoes. Repeat. Top with remaining cabbage.
6. Pour beef broth over casserole.
7. Cover with foil and bake for 1 hour.
8. Remove foil and bake for 20-30 minutes, or until cabbage is tender and rice is cooked through.
9. Let rest for 10-15 minutes before serving.
10. Serve hot with sour cream, parsley, and cheese (optional).

## Conclusion

This easy cabbage roll casserole is a delicious and convenient alternative to traditional cabbage rolls. It’s perfect for busy weeknights or anytime you’re craving comfort food. With its simple preparation, customizable ingredients, and freezer-friendly nature, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite. So, gather your ingredients and get ready to enjoy a deconstructed delight that will have everyone asking for seconds!