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Easy Cheesy Cabbage Roll Casserole Recipe Perfect for Quick Weeknight Dinners

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A quick and easy casserole that captures the comforting flavors of traditional cabbage rolls without the hassle of rolling each leaf. This cheesy, tangy, and hearty dish is perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey (80/20 preferred)
  • 1 small head green cabbage, shredded
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 14.5 oz canned diced tomatoes
  • 8 oz tomato sauce
  • 1 cup cooked rice
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef or turkey and cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, until browned and no longer pink, about 7-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  3. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the browned meat. Cook for another 3-4 minutes until the onions soften and smell fragrant.
  4. Toss in the shredded cabbage, stirring well to combine. Cook for about 5 minutes until the cabbage begins to soften but still holds a bit of crunch.
  5. Pour in the canned diced tomatoes and tomato sauce. Stir to coat the mixture evenly. Season with salt, pepper, oregano, and optional red pepper flakes. Let simmer gently for 5 minutes.
  6. Remove the skillet from heat. In a large bowl, mix the meat and cabbage mixture with 1 cup of cooked rice.
  7. Transfer half of the mixture into a prepared 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the layer.
  8. Add the remaining meat mixture on top, spreading it out evenly.
  9. Top with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella and the grated Parmesan cheese.
  10. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned and the sauce is thickened.
  11. Let the casserole sit for 5-10 minutes before serving to set up for cleaner slices and enhanced flavors.

Notes

Do not overcook the cabbage to avoid mushiness; it should be tender but still have a slight crunch. Drain fat after browning meat to reduce greasiness or leave a tablespoon for richer flavor. If cheese browns too quickly, cover casserole loosely with foil halfway through baking. Use cooked leftover rice to save time. Variations include swapping meat for lentils or mushrooms for vegetarian, using cauliflower rice for low-carb, or changing cheese types.

Nutrition

Keywords: cabbage roll casserole, cheesy casserole, quick dinner, weeknight meal, comfort food, easy casserole, ground beef casserole

Find it online: https://tempotaste.com/easy-cheesy-cabbage-roll-casserole-recipe-perfect-for-quick-weeknight-dinners/