Try Our Tasty Savory Cabbage Beef Bake Recipe Today

Comfort wrapped in warmth, this cabbage beef bake delivers a hearty meal that promises pure culinary satisfaction.

Tender ground beef nestles perfectly between layers of soft cabbage, creating a delightful harmony of flavors.

Rich, robust seasonings dance across each bite, promising a dining experience that speaks to the soul.

The dish combines rustic ingredients with simple preparation techniques.

You will appreciate how easily this meal comes together in one baking dish.

Packed with protein and vegetables, this bake transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary dinner.

Prepare to savor every delicious forkful of this comforting, nourishing creation.

Why You’ll Love This Cabbage Beef Bake

• Quick Family Comfort: A hearty one-dish meal that brings everyone together with its rich, satisfying flavors and minimal kitchen cleanup.
• Budget-Friendly Cooking: Transforms affordable ingredients like cabbage and ground beef into a delicious, nutritious dinner that won't break the bank.
• Customize with Ease: Offers flexible ingredient swaps like using different cheeses, adding extra spices, or incorporating alternative protein options to suit personal tastes.
• Meal Prep Champion: Perfect for preparing ahead, reheating wonderfully, and providing delicious leftovers that taste even better the next day.

What’s Inside Savory Cabbage Bake

• Ground Beef: A hearty and flavorful meat that forms the core of this comforting dish.
• Cabbage: A crisp and nutritious vegetable that adds texture and wholesome goodness.
• Cheddar Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese: Creamy cheeses that melt into delicious golden layers.
• Onion, Garlic: Fragrant ingredients that bring depth and warmth to the bake.

• Diced Tomatoes, Beef Broth: Juicy components that create a rich and savory sauce.
• Smoked Paprika, Dried Thyme, Salt, Pepper: Spices that add complexity and balanced flavor.

• Panko Breadcrumbs, Butter: A crispy golden topping that provides delightful texture.
• Fresh Parsley, Lemon Juice: Optional bright touches that can elevate the final dish.

Instructions for Hearty Cabbage Beef Bake

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Dish

Warm up your oven to 375°F.

Lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Brown the Meat and Aromatics

In a large skillet, cook ground beef over medium heat.

Break the meat into small crumbles as it cooks.

• Diced onions
• Minced garlic

Sauté until the beef is completely browned and onions turn soft and translucent.

Drain any excess fat from the pan.

Step 3: Create Delicious Layers

Arrange the first layer of sliced cabbage across the bottom of the baking dish.

Spread the cooked beef mixture evenly over the cabbage.

Top with the remaining cabbage slices.

Step 4: Mix the Flavor Boosters

• Diced tomatoes with their juice
• Beef broth
• Smoked paprika
• Dried thyme
• Salt
• Black pepper

Stir the ingredients until well blended.

Pour this liquid mixture evenly over the cabbage and beef layers.

Step 5: Add Cheesy Crunch Topping

• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Mozzarella cheese

In a separate small bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs with melted butter.

Distribute this buttery breadcrumb mixture over the cheese layer for a crispy golden finish.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Place the casserole in the preheated oven.

Bake for 35-40 minutes until the cabbage becomes tender, the sauce starts bubbling, and the breadcrumb topping turns a beautiful golden brown.

Step 7: Rest and Garnish

Allow the casserole to cool for 5-10 minutes after removing from the oven.

Optionally, garnish with freshly chopped parsley or add a splash of lemon juice for extra zesty flavor before serving.

Tips for Cabbage and Beef Perfection

• Remove fat from ground beef to prevent a greasy dish and ensure a cleaner, healthier meal.
• Distribute cabbage and beef evenly to create balanced flavors and textures in every bite.
• Experiment with different cheese combinations like gruyère or pepper jack for unique taste profiles.
• Substitute ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based alternatives for dietary preferences.
• Toast panko breadcrumbs before adding butter to enhance crunchiness and develop deeper golden color.

Store and Reheat Cabbage Bake Easily

• Transfer leftover portions to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep the bake sealed tightly to maintain moisture and prevent absorption of other food odors.
• Wrap individual servings or the entire dish in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty aluminum foil. Frozen cabbage beef bake stays fresh for 2-3 months. Label with the date to track storage time.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Place leftovers in a baking dish, cover with aluminum foil to prevent drying, and warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through. Remove foil during the last 5 minutes to crisp up the breadcrumb topping.
• Place a single serving on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel to retain moisture, and heat in 30-second intervals until thoroughly warm. Stir between intervals to distribute heat evenly.

Great Sides for Beef Casseroles

• Pair Perfectly with Robust Red Wine: Choose a bold Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec to complement the rich beef and smoky paprika flavors, cutting through the dish's hearty profile.
• Create Cooling Contrast with Fresh Salad: Prepare a crisp green salad with tangy vinaigrette to balance the warm, savory bake, bringing lightness and acidity to the meal.
• Enhance with Crusty Bread Sidekick: Serve warm, rustic sourdough or garlic bread to soak up the delicious tomato and beef sauce, providing a delightful textural complement.
• Match with Bright Herb Garnish: Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or chives over the dish to add a fresh, zesty note that lifts the entire flavor profile and provides visual appeal.

Ways to Switch Up Cabbage Beef Bake

• Low-Carb Cauliflower Creation: Replace cabbage with cauliflower florets for a keto-friendly version that maintains the hearty beef and cheese profile while reducing carbohydrate content.
• Vegetarian Protein Swap: Substitute ground beef with plant-based crumbles or lentils, using vegetable broth instead of beef broth to create a meatless alternative packed with protein and flavor.
• Mediterranean-Inspired Edition: Incorporate Mediterranean spices like oregano and cumin, swap mozzarella for feta cheese, and add kalamata olives for a zesty regional transformation of the original recipe.
• Gluten-Free Comfort Bowl: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed pork rinds for the topping, ensuring those with gluten sensitivities can enjoy the same crunchy texture and rich taste.

FAQs

• Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?

Yes, this Savory Cabbage Beef Bake can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated before baking. You can assemble the entire dish, cover it, and store in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before cooking.

• Can I use a different type of ground meat?

Absolutely! Ground turkey or ground chicken work perfectly as substitutes for beef. The recipe’s flavor profile will remain similar, offering flexibility for different protein preferences.

• How can I make this recipe more low-carb friendly?

Replace the panko breadcrumbs with crushed pork rinds or almond flour for a low-carb topping. This modification maintains the crispy texture while reducing carbohydrate content.

• Is this dish considered budget-friendly?

Definitely. With affordable ingredients like ground beef, cabbage, and basic pantry spices, this recipe provides a cost-effective meal that feeds multiple people without breaking the bank.

Savory Cabbage Beef Bake Recipe

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4.8 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty “savory cabbage beef bake” brings comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen, blending rustic European flavors with home-style warmth. Layers of tender cabbage and seasoned ground beef promise a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein and Vegetables:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef (80/20 blend for juiciness)
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small head green cabbage, thinly sliced (about 6 cups)

Liquid and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 1 can (15 ounces/425 grams) diced tomatoes (undrained)
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) beef broth
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste

Cheese and Topping Ingredients:

• 1 cup (100 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup (50 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup (60 grams) panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) unsalted butter, melted

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 375°F and coat a 9×13-inch baking vessel with a light layer of cooking spray to prevent sticking.
2. Sauté ground beef in a skillet, crumbling the meat while cooking. Incorporate diced onions and crushed garlic, allowing them to soften and release their aromatic flavors. Eliminate any excess fat from the meat.
3. Create a foundational layer of cabbage slices within the prepared baking dish, spreading the seasoned beef mixture uniformly across the vegetable base. Top this with remaining cabbage slices to create a hearty, multilayered composition.
4. Whisk together diced tomatoes, beef broth, smoked paprika, dried thyme, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl. Carefully pour this flavorful liquid mixture over the cabbage and beef layers, ensuring even distribution.
5. Generously shower shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses across the surface. Combine panko breadcrumbs with melted butter, then scatter this golden topping evenly to create a crisp, textured crown.
6. Transfer the assembled dish to the preheated oven, allowing it to bake for 35-40 minutes. Look for tender cabbage, bubbling sauce, and a richly bronzed breadcrumb layer as indicators of perfect doneness.
7. Allow the bake to rest and settle for several minutes before serving. Enhance the final presentation with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or a bright squeeze of lemon juice to elevate the dish’s complexity.

Notes

• Boost the flavor profile by using smoked or spicy ground beef for an extra kick of taste.
• Swap regular cabbage with savoy or napa cabbage to create a more delicate texture and slightly different flavor dimension.
• For a low-carb version, eliminate breadcrumbs and replace with crushed pork rinds or almond flour for a crispy topping that maintains the dish’s essence.
• Create a vegetarian alternative by substituting ground beef with lentils, mushrooms, or plant-based meat crumbles while keeping all other ingredients consistent.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg