Stuffed Cabbage Casserole

This stuffed cabbage casserole is a comforting, oven-baked version of classic cabbage rolls—without all the rolling. Layers of tender cabbage, seasoned meat, rice, and rich tomato sauce bake together into one hearty meal.

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Ingredients

• 1 small cabbage (chopped)
• 500 g ground beef
• 1 small onion (chopped)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 2 cups tomato sauce
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 tsp paprika
• Salt and black pepper
• 1 cup shredded cheese (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. Prepare cabbage
   Boil or steam chopped cabbage for 5 minutes to soften slightly. Drain well.
3. Cook meat mixture
   In a skillet, cook beef and onion until browned. Add garlic, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir in rice.
4. Layer casserole
   • Spread some tomato sauce in the dish
   • Add a layer of cabbage
   • Add meat mixture
   • Add tomatoes and sauce
   • Repeat layers
5. Top
   Finish with remaining sauce and cheese if using.
6. Bake for 35–45 minutes
   Until bubbly and cabbage is tender.
7. Rest before serving

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Tips for Best Results

• Don’t overcook cabbage before baking
• Use cooked rice for best texture
• Add a little brown sugar if you like sweeter tomato sauce

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Storage Tips

• Refrigerate for 4 days
• Freeze up to 2 months

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FAQ

Can I use ground turkey instead?
Yes—it works very well.

Do I need cheese?
No, it’s optional but adds richness.

Can I make it low-carb?
Replace rice with cauliflower rice.

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Final Thought

Warm, hearty, and full of homemade comfort—this casserole delivers all the flavor of stuffed cabbage rolls with half the effort.