Description
Polish comfort meets hearty home cooking in this classic Cabbage Roll Casserole, layering ground beef, rice, and tender cabbage with rich tomato sauce. Generations of family memories simmer in each comforting bite you’ll savor.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1.5 pounds (680 grams) ground beef
Vegetables and Base:
- 0.75 head cabbage, chopped (about 6 cups)
- 4 cups cauliflower rice (or cooked white rice)
- 4 minced garlic cloves
Seasonings and Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil (or preferred oil)
- 1.5 teaspoons sea salt
- 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
- 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (omit for paleo, dairy-free, or Whole30)
Instructions
- Warm a skillet with avocado oil over medium heat, introducing minced garlic and allowing it to become aromatic, releasing its delicate fragrance.
- Introduce ground beef into the skillet, seasoning with sea salt and black pepper. Crumble and cook the meat thoroughly until achieving a rich, uniform brown color.
- Incorporate cauliflower rice or traditional white rice into the meat mixture, sprinkling Italian seasoning to enhance the flavor profile. Gently stir and let the ingredients harmonize.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C), preparing a spacious baking dish for assembly. Create strategic layers alternating between seasoned meat mixture, freshly chopped cabbage, and vibrant marinara sauce. Continue layering until all ingredients are elegantly distributed.
- Generously crown the casserole with shredded mozzarella cheese, creating a tempting surface. Shield the dish with aluminum foil and transfer to the preheated oven.
- Bake covered for 30 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and ingredients to soften. Remove the foil and return to the oven for an additional 10-15 minutes, encouraging the cheese to transform into a golden, bubbling masterpiece.
- Once completed, extract from the oven and let the casserole rest briefly, allowing the layers to settle and intensify in flavor before serving.
Notes
- For a lighter version, swap ground beef with ground turkey or chicken, which reduces fat content while maintaining protein levels.
- Cauliflower rice makes this dish low-carb and keto-friendly, offering a nutritious alternative to traditional white rice.
- Add extra vegetables like diced bell peppers or zucchini to boost nutritional value and create more complex flavor profiles.
- Prepare casserole ahead of time and refrigerate overnight, allowing ingredients to marinate and develop deeper, richer tastes.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Eastern European
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg