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Cozy Cabbage Roll Casserole Recipe with Easy Cheesy Tomato Sauce

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A warm, cozy cabbage roll casserole layered with seasoned ground beef, tender cabbage, and a cheesy tomato sauce, perfect for a comforting weeknight meal without the fuss of traditional cabbage rolls.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20 preferred)
  • 1 medium head green cabbage (about 1.5 lbs)
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup cooked rice (white, brown, or cauliflower rice)
  • 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 ½ cups shredded cheese (sharp cheddar or cheddar-mozzarella blend)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Optional: pinch of smoked paprika or dried thyme

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Separate the cabbage into large leaves and blanch them for about 2 minutes until pliable but not mushy. Transfer to a colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking.
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  4. Add ground beef to the skillet. Break it up with a spoon, season with salt, pepper, and optional smoked paprika. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 7-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  5. Transfer the beef mixture to a bowl. Stir in cooked rice, egg, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix well to combine and set aside.
  6. In the same skillet, pour in the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste. Simmer on low for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat and stir in half of the shredded cheese until melted and creamy.
  7. Spread a thin layer of cheesy tomato sauce on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  8. Layer half of the blanched cabbage leaves, overlapping slightly, over the sauce.
  9. Spoon half the beef and rice filling evenly over the cabbage.
  10. Add the remaining cabbage leaves on top of the filling, followed by the rest of the beef mixture.
  11. Pour the remaining cheesy tomato sauce evenly over the top.
  12. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese over the casserole for a golden, bubbly finish.
  13. Cover loosely with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
  14. Remove foil and bake another 10-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
  15. Let the casserole cool for 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle and make slicing easier.

Notes

If the sauce seems too thick before baking, add a splash of water or broth to loosen it. Avoid over-blanching cabbage to prevent mushiness. Drain excess fat from cooked beef to avoid a greasy casserole. Let the casserole rest after baking for better slicing and flavor melding.

Nutrition

Keywords: cabbage roll casserole, cheesy tomato sauce, comfort food, easy casserole, ground beef recipe, weeknight dinner, cozy meal

Find it online: https://tessierecipes.com/cozy-cabbage-roll-casserole-recipe-with-easy-cheesy-tomato-sauce/