Kalyn's Stuffed Cabbage Casserole (2024)

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This Stuffed Cabbage Casserole is basically a deconstructed version of stuffed cabbage layered with shredded cabbage, ground beef and brown rice cooked in tomatoes then topped with melted cheese. It’s SO good!

Stuffed Cabbage Casserole

I’m always looking for ways to use up ground beef and love this stuffed cabbage casserole! I grew up eating stuffed cabbage and always loved when my Mom made it for dinner. This casserole version of the classic is so darn delicious! You may also like this lazy stuffed cabbage bowl! And check out my other ground beef recipes here!

I first tried this back in 2011 browsing other blogs’ Top Dishes for that year (I always love those posts). I came across this recipe on Kalyn’s Kitchen and I knew I HAD to try it!

This turned out great, and easily serves 10 people. Although stuffed cabbage doesn’t usually have cheese, I loved the addition of it in this recipe. Of course you can make it without the cheese if you prefer to keep it dairy free.

Stuffed Cabbage Casserole Tips

Leftover can be frozen and reheated for another day. Freeze up to 3 months. Refrigerate up to 3 to 4 days.
To make it dairy-free omit the cheese.
To make it keto or low-carb, swap the rice out and add more meat.
Freezer directions: Let the casserole cool then freeze in portions in freezer safe containers. To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then either microwave until hot or heat in the oven in an oven-safe dish covered with foil.
Split it among 2 smaller casseroles and freeze one for later, this always comes out great.

More Cabbage Recipes You Will Love

Beef Cabbage and Tomato Soup
Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage
Corned Beef and Cabbage Soup
Ham Bone Soup with Potatoes and Cabbage
Lazy Stuffed Cabbage Bowls

Stuffed Cabbage Casserole

4.87 from 113 votes

Ingredients

▢ 2 tsp olive oil, divided
▢ 1 lb. 95% lean ground beef
▢ 1 large onion, chopped fine
▢ 1 tbsp finely minced garlic
▢ 1/2 tsp. dried thyme
▢ 1 tsp sweet Hungarian Paprika
▢ salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
▢ 1 1/2 heads green cabbage, coarsely chopped
▢ 1 14.5 ounce can petite dice tomatoes with juice
▢ 1 15 ounce can tomato sauce
▢ 1/4 cup water
▢ 2 cups cooked brown rice
▢ 2 cups part skim mozzarella cheese

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a large glass casserole dish with non-stick spray. (My dish was 13" x 10")
Heat a large frying pan on medium heat; add ground beef and cook until it's browned and cooked through, breaking it apart as it cooks. Remove ground beef and set aside.
In the same pan, add 1 tsp olive oil, chopped onion and cook over medium heat until the onion is translucent and starting to brown, about 5 minutes.
Add the minced garlic, dried thyme, and paprika and cook about 2 minutes more. Then add the diced tomatoes with juice, tomato sauce, and ground beef.
Add water to the pan. Simmer until it's hot and slightly thickened, about 15-20 minutes.
While it simmers, cut cabbage in half, cut out the core, and remove any wilted outer leaves; chop the cabbage coarsely into 1 inch pieces.
Heat remaining olive oil in a large frying pan or dutch oven; add the cabbage and cook over medium-high heat until the cabbage is wilted and about half cooked, turning it over several times so it all wilts and cooks. Season with salt and fresh-ground black pepper.
When the meat and tomato sauce mixture has cooked and thickened a bit, stir in the 2 cups of cooked rice and gently combine.
Spray casserole dish with non-stick spray and the layer half the cabbage, half the meat mixture, remaining cabbage, and remaining meat mixture.
Cover tightly with foil and bake 40 minutes, or until the mixture is just starting to bubble on the edges.
Remove foil and sprinkle on cheese (if using.) Bake uncovered an additional 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and starting to slightly brown. Cut into 10 slices and serve hot.

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Notes

Freezer friendly note: if you have leftovers. To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then either microwave until hot or heat in the oven in a glass dish covered with foil.