Cabbage Roll Casserole

Introduction

Cabbage Roll Casserole is a hearty and delicious dish that combines all the flavors of traditional cabbage rolls without the hassle of rolling each one. This casserole is layered with ground beef, cauliflower rice, and gooey mozzarella cheese, making it a perfect comfort food for any family dinner. It is a simple recipe that offers great taste and nutrition, satisfying everyone at the table.

Why Make This Recipe

There are many reasons to make Cabbage Roll Casserole. Firstly, it is a one-dish meal that saves time on cleanup. Secondly, using cauliflower rice makes it a healthier option, perfect for those who want to reduce carbs or eat more vegetables. Lastly, the layers of beef, cabbage, and cheese create a mouthwatering flavor that will please your family and friends.

How to Make Cabbage Roll Casserole

Making Cabbage Roll Casserole is easy and straightforward. Just follow these simple steps, and you will have a delicious dish ready in no time!

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp avocado oil (or preferred oil)
• 4 minced garlic cloves
• 1 1/2 lb ground beef
• 1 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 4 cups cauliflower rice (or cooked white rice)
• 2 tbsp Italian seasoning
• 3/4 head cabbage, chopped (about 6 cups)
• 3 cups marinara sauce
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (omit for paleo, dairy-free, or Whole30)

Directions

1. Sauté the Aromatics: Heat avocado oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
2. Brown the Beef: Add ground beef to the skillet. Season with sea salt and black pepper, then cook until beef is browned and fully cooked, breaking it up into smaller pieces.
3. Combine with Rice: Stir in cauliflower rice (or cooked white rice) and Italian seasoning. Cook for a few minutes to allow flavors to meld.
4. Layer the Casserole: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large baking dish, layer the ground beef mixture, chopped cabbage, and marinara sauce. Repeat until all ingredients are used, ending with marinara sauce.
5. Add Cheese and Bake: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.

How to Serve Cabbage Roll Casserole

Serve Cabbage Roll Casserole hot from the oven. You can add a side salad or some crusty bread to complete the meal. This dish is great for leftovers, making it perfect for lunch the next day!

How to Store Cabbage Roll Casserole

To store Cabbage Roll Casserole, let it cool to room temperature. Then, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or foil and place it in the refrigerator. It can be kept for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze the casserole for longer storage; just make sure to wrap it well.

Tips to Make Cabbage Roll Casserole

• You can substitute the ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
• For extra veggies, mix in some chopped bell peppers or zucchini with the beef.
• If you want to make it spicy, add some red pepper flakes to the meat mixture.

Variation

If you want to make a vegetarian version of this casserole, you can replace the ground beef with lentils or beans and skip the cheese to make it dairy-free.

How to Make Cabbage Roll Casserole

Step-by-Step Recipe for Cabbage Roll Casserole

Making cabbage roll casserole from scratch is simpler than it might first seem. By breaking down the traditional cabbage roll process into a few easy steps, you can enjoy the rich flavors of the classic dish in no time. Here’s how to prepare this comforting meal:

Preparing the Cabbage

To start, you’ll need fresh cabbage leaves. While some prefer to use raw cabbage, blanching it first helps soften the leaves, making them easier to work with. Blanching also prevents the cabbage from being too tough in the casserole. Here’s how you can prepare the cabbage:

1. Core the cabbage: Cut out the hard stem at the base of the cabbage. This will allow the leaves to peel off more easily.
2. Boil the cabbage: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Gently place the whole cabbage into the water and let it cook for about 2-3 minutes. This will make the outer leaves soft enough to peel off easily. Continue until you’ve removed all the leaves you need for your casserole.
3. Chop the leaves: Once the cabbage is blanched, chop the larger leaves into manageable pieces. You want them to be big enough to layer in your casserole, but small enough for easy serving.

Alternatively, if you don’t want to boil the cabbage, you can skip blanching and use shredded cabbage directly in the casserole. However, the boiled leaves provide a more delicate texture that complements the savory filling.

Cooking the Ground Meat

Now it’s time to cook the meat, which is the heart of any cabbage roll casserole. Most recipes call for ground beef, but you can opt for ground turkey, chicken, or even pork depending on your preference. Here’s how to get the perfect filling:

1. Brown the meat: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add your ground meat and break it up as it cooks. Stir occasionally until it’s browned and cooked through, ensuring no pink remains. This step ensures a flavorful and crumbly texture in the casserole.
2. Season the meat: Season the meat with salt, pepper, and any additional spices. Common seasonings for cabbage rolls include garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and dried oregano. For extra flavor, consider adding a touch of Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce.
3. Optional vegetables: Some recipes call for sautéing onions, garlic, and even bell peppers with the meat for an added layer of flavor. Simply chop them finely and cook with the meat until they are softened and fragrant.

Once the meat is browned and seasoned, it’s ready to be mixed with the rice and other ingredients for the casserole.

Assembling the Cabbage Roll Casserole

Now comes the fun part—assembling your casserole! Layering the ingredients correctly is key to making sure each bite is as flavorful as the last.

1. Layer the cabbage: Start by placing a layer of the prepared cabbage at the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. This creates a nice base for the casserole.
2. Add the meat mixture: Next, spoon half of the cooked ground meat and vegetable mixture over the cabbage. Spread it evenly to ensure every bite has a good amount of filling.
3. Add rice and tomato sauce: Sprinkle cooked rice over the meat mixture. Follow with a generous layer of tomato sauce, which adds moisture and helps everything meld together. If you like extra sauce, don’t hesitate to add more—it makes for a juicy casserole!
4. Repeat the layers: Continue layering cabbage, meat, rice, and tomato sauce until all ingredients are used up. Finish with a top layer of cabbage and sauce. If you want to make it extra creamy, consider adding a sprinkling of cheese between layers.

Baking Instructions

Once the casserole is assembled, it’s time to bake it to perfection:

1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and allow it to fully heat up before placing your casserole inside.
2. Cover and bake: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes. This will help steam the cabbage and blend the flavors together.
3. Finish baking without foil: After 45 minutes, remove the foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until the top is golden and crispy. This final step adds a beautiful texture to the top, giving your casserole that slightly crunchy finish you’ll love.
4. Let it rest: Once out of the oven, let your cabbage roll casserole rest for about 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to settle, making it easier to slice and serve.

Variations and Customization

Ways to Customize Cabbage Roll Casserole

While the classic recipe is delicious on its own, there are countless ways to adapt your cabbage roll casserole to suit different tastes, dietary needs, or to use up ingredients you have on hand.

Vegetarian Cabbage Roll Casserole

If you’re looking to make a vegetarian cabbage roll casserole, it’s easier than you think! Simply swap the ground meat for plant-based proteins such as:

• Lentils: Cooked lentils make a great meat substitute, offering a hearty texture and rich flavor.
• Tofu: Crumbled tofu is another great alternative, providing a protein-packed base for the casserole.
• Veggie mixture: Sauté mushrooms, onions, and bell peppers to create a flavorful and filling vegetable base.

Make sure to season your filling well with herbs and spices to ensure the dish is full of flavor.

Low-Carb Options

For those following a low-carb diet, there are a few tweaks you can make to keep this casserole light and delicious:

• Substitute rice with cauliflower rice: Cauliflower rice is an excellent low-carb option that mimics the texture of regular rice. Simply pulse cauliflower florets in a food processor, then sauté them lightly before adding them to your casserole.
• Use zucchini noodles: For a grain-free alternative, you can use spiralized zucchini noodles in place of rice. This reduces the carb content while adding a fresh, vegetable-based layer.

Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Versions

If you’re sensitive to gluten or dairy, don’t worry! There are plenty of ways to make your cabbage roll casserole suitable for these dietary restrictions:

• Gluten-free: Ensure that the rice you use is gluten-free and opt for a gluten-free tomato sauce. You can also swap breadcrumbs for gluten-free alternatives if you decide to add them as a topping.
• Dairy-free: For a dairy-free casserole, simply omit the cheese or use a plant-based cheese substitute. A dairy-free sour cream or yogurt can also be used for extra creaminess.

Creative Toppings and Add-Ins

The toppings you choose for your cabbage roll casserole can transform the dish, adding layers of flavor and texture. Here are a few creative ideas:

• Sour cream: A dollop of sour cream adds creaminess and tang, balancing out the savory flavors of the casserole.
• Cheese: For an extra cheesy touch, sprinkle shredded mozzarella, cheddar, or even vegan cheese on top before baking. The cheese will melt beautifully, creating a golden crust.
• Chopped fresh herbs: Fresh parsley, dill, or basil can brighten up the casserole and add a burst of fresh flavor right before serving.

FAQs

1. Can I use regular rice instead of cauliflower rice?
   Yes, you can use cooked white rice if you prefer. It will alter the carb count, but it will taste great!
2. How can I make this dish gluten-free?
   This recipe is already gluten-free, but ensure your marinara sauce does not contain gluten. Check the label before using.
3. Can I make this casserole in advance?
   Yes, you can prepare the casserole ahead of time, store it in the refrigerator, and bake it just before serving.

Enjoy making and sharing this tasty Cabbage Roll Casserole with your loved ones!

Conclusion

Cabbage roll casserole is the epitome of comfort food—hearty, flavorful, and easy to make. Whether you’re preparing it for a family dinner, a potluck, or meal prepping for the week, this dish checks all the boxes. By layering cabbage, meat, rice, and tomato sauce, you get all the delicious flavors of traditional cabbage rolls, but without the hassle of rolling individual leaves.

The beauty of this casserole lies in its versatility. You can easily adapt the recipe to suit different tastes, whether you’re craving a vegetarian version, need a low-carb alternative, or are looking for a dairy-free meal. With endless variations, the possibilities are truly limitless. Whether you choose to keep it classic or try new twists with creative toppings, cabbage roll casserole is bound to become a staple in your recipe collection.

The best part is that cabbage roll casserole isn’t just a dish that’s great on the day it’s made; it’s also perfect for leftovers, making it an even more practical option. It’s a filling, nutritious meal that brings together the best of comfort food with healthy ingredients.