Description
Cabbage Beef Bake is a comforting one-dish meal featuring tender cabbage layered with seasoned ground beef and a rich tomato base. This easy-to-make casserole combines savory flavors and wholesome ingredients, baked to perfection for a warm, hearty dish that’s perfect for family dinners or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Mixture
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14–15 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Cabbage Layer
- 1 small head cabbage, chopped
Toppings (Optional)
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook the beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing until fragrant and softened. Add ground beef and cook thoroughly until browned, then drain any excess fat.
- Add seasoning and tomatoes: Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, paprika, dried oregano, salt, and pepper into the beef mixture. Allow it to simmer gently for about 5 minutes to blend flavors.
- Layer the casserole: Grease a baking dish and spread half of the chopped cabbage evenly on the bottom. Pour the beef and tomato mixture over the cabbage, then top with the remaining cabbage.
- Bake: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the cabbage becomes tender and cooked through.
- Add cheese (optional): Remove the foil, sprinkle shredded cheese evenly on top, and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Rest and serve: Allow the bake to rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving to let the layers set for easier portioning.
Notes
- Chop cabbage evenly to ensure consistent cooking throughout the bake.
- Don’t skip the resting time after baking; it helps the casserole set for better slicing.
- Use a deep baking dish to prevent any overflow during baking.
- Variations: add cooked rice for a cabbage roll-style casserole or substitute ground turkey or sausage for beef.
- Enhance flavor by adding red pepper flakes or your favorite hot sauce for some spice.
