Hearty Cabbage and Beef Casserole Recipe: Cozy Comfort in Minutes
Comfort food reaches new heights with this hearty cabbage and beef casserole that promises to warm every corner of your soul.
Layers of tender cabbage and seasoned ground beef create a symphony of flavors that dance across your palate.
Home cooks have long treasured this classic dish for its simplicity and rich, satisfying taste.
The casserole melds robust ingredients into a single skillet, delivering a meal that’s both nutritious and deeply comforting.
Packed with protein and vegetables, this recipe stands as a testament to rustic, no-nonsense cooking.
Each bite tells a story of tradition and homestyle goodness.
Dive into this delectable casserole and experience a true culinary embrace that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Serving Suggestions for Cabbage and Beef Casserole
Cozy Family Dinner Companion: Pair this hearty casserole with a crisp green salad dressed in a light vinaigrette to balance the rich, savory flavors of the beef and cabbage.
Bread Basket Buddy: Serve warm garlic bread or crusty dinner rolls alongside the casserole to soak up the delicious tomato and beef broth, creating a complete and satisfying meal.
Veggie Side Kick: Add a side of roasted vegetables like carrots or Brussels sprouts to complement the casserole's robust taste and provide extra nutrition and color to the plate.
Wine Pairing Wonder: Enhance the dining experience with a medium-bodied red wine like Pinot Noir or Zinfandel, which will beautifully match the casserole's deep, meaty notes and bring out the dish's subtle flavors.
Storing Cabbage and Beef Casserole the Right Way
Fridge Fresh Tactics: Store leftovers in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the casserole refrigerated for 3-4 days. The dish maintains its robust flavors and texture when sealed properly.
Freezer Smart Storage: Wrap individual portions or the entire casserole tightly in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty aluminum foil. Frozen casserole stays delicious for up to 3 months, making meal prep a breeze for busy weeks.
Reheating Magic: Thaw refrigerated or frozen casserole in the microwave or oven. For oven reheating, cover with foil at 350°F for 20-25 minutes, ensuring even warming and preventing dried-out edges. Add a splash of beef broth to maintain moisture.
Portion Control Hack: Divide the casserole into single-serving containers before refrigerating. This strategy supports easy grab-and-go lunches, helps track nutritional intake, and reduces food waste while providing convenient meal options throughout the week.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 60 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Calories: 370 kcal
Servings: 7
Ingredients List for Cabbage and Beef Casserole
For Meat and Aromatics:
Ground Beef: Provides hearty protein and rich flavor base for the casserole, selecting lean cuts helps reduce excess grease.
Onion: Adds depth and sweetness, choose fresh firm onions with no soft spots for best results.
Cheddar Cheese: Provides creamy, melty topping with sharp flavor, sharp varieties offer more taste intensity.
Salt and Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and elevate entire dish's flavor profile.
Kitchen Gear for Cabbage and Beef Casserole
Large skillet: Essential for browning beef and onions with even heat distribution.
9×13 inch baking dish: Perfect for layering casserole ingredients and creating a complete meal.
Measuring cups: Helpful for accurately portioning rice and broth.
Aluminum foil: Crucial for covering the casserole during initial baking to retain moisture.
Cheese grater: Useful for shredding fresh cheddar cheese for topping.
Cutting board: Needed for chopping cabbage and onions safely.
Chef's knife: Sharp tool for precise vegetable and ingredient preparation.
Directions for Cabbage and Beef Casserole
Oven Preparation Warm up the oven to a cozy 350°F, creating the perfect environment for a delicious meal.
Meat Base Set a skillet dancing with heat and introduce ground beef and onions. Let them sizzle and mingle until the beef turns a rich, deep brown. Season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper for a flavor explosion.
Cabbage Foundation Start building your culinary masterpiece by spreading a lush bed of cabbage in a baking dish. Nestle the seasoned beef on top, then blanket it with rice and a splash of juicy tomatoes.
Final Symphony Crown the dish with another layer of cabbage, then baptize it with beef broth. Wrap the creation in a foil cloak and let it transform in the oven for 45 magical minutes. For the grand finale, unveil the casserole, sprinkle a waterfall of cheddar cheese, and return it to the oven. Watch as the cheese melts into a golden, bubbly masterpiece that signals your culinary triumph.
Smart Tips for Cabbage and Beef Casserole
Cabbage Crunch Control: For a softer cabbage texture, slice it thinner or briefly sauté before layering. Prefer a crispier bite? Chop into larger chunks and reduce cooking time slightly.
Protein Power Swap: Ground turkey or chicken can replace beef for a leaner dish. Plant-based eaters might try crumbled tofu or meat substitute for a hearty vegetarian version.
Spice Adventure: Kick up the flavor by adding red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, or a dash of Worcestershire sauce to the beef mixture. Mediterranean lovers can incorporate oregano or basil for an herbal twist.
Cheese Garden: Experiment with different cheese varieties like pepper jack for heat, Swiss for nuttiness, or mozzarella for extra meltiness. Mix cheeses for a more complex flavor profile.
One-Pot Wonder: Transform this casserole into a skillet meal by cooking everything in a large cast-iron pan, reducing dishes and maintaining deep, rich flavors throughout the cooking process.
Polish comfort classic beef and cabbage casserole blends hearty ingredients from Eastern European kitchens. Savory layers meld tender meat, sweet cabbage, and rich seasonings that welcome diners to a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
1 lb (454 g) ground beef
3 cups (681 g) cabbage, chopped
1 cup (195 g) cooked rice
1 cup (113 g) cheddar cheese, shredded
1 can (14.5 oz/411 g) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 medium onion, chopped
½ cup (120 ml) beef broth
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
Instructions
Preparation: Warm the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish to prevent ingredient adhesion.
Meat Foundation: Sizzle ground beef and onions in a skillet, breaking the meat into delicate crumbles until achieving a rich caramel-brown color. Strain excess fat and infuse with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
Layering Base: Construct the first stratum by spreading half the cabbage across the baking dish, creating an even vegetable carpet. Nestle the seasoned beef mixture uniformly atop the cabbage, establishing a robust protein foundation.
Grain and Tomato Integration: Disperse cooked rice evenly, then cascade undrained diced tomatoes across the surface, allowing liquid to permeate and enhance overall moisture.
Vegetable Culmination: Crown the casserole with remaining cabbage, completely concealing underlying ingredients. Delicately cascade beef broth over the entire composition to promote steaming and ingredient tenderness.
Initial Baking Phase: Encase the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes, ensuring ingredients meld and develop complex flavors.
Cheese Finalization: Unveil the casserole, liberally sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese, and return to the oven for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese transforms into a bubbling, golden-kissed crust.
Notes
Cabbage Preparation: Chop cabbage uniformly for even cooking and better texture distribution throughout the casserole.
Fat Draining Technique: Thoroughly drain beef fat to prevent a greasy final dish and ensure a cleaner, more appetizing flavor profile.
Moisture Management: The beef broth and undrained tomatoes are crucial for keeping the casserole moist and preventing dry edges during baking.
Cheese Melting Tip: Allow cheese to bubble and slightly golden for maximum flavor development and an appealing visual finish.
Recipe Development, Food Styling and Photography, Seasonal and Local Ingredients, Vegetarian and Vegan Cuisine, Culinary Education
Education
Portland Community College
Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Comprehensive training in culinary techniques, kitchen management, and food safety. Gained hands-on experience in preparing diverse cuisines and understanding flavor profiles
Oregon Culinary Institute
Program: Baking and Pastry Certificate
Focus: Specialized education in baking fundamentals, pastry arts, and dessert presentation. Emphasized creativity and precision in crafting baked goods.
Jessica Martin is a talented food writer and recipe creator who specializes in seasonal cooking and approachable home baking.
Educated at Portland Community College with additional pastry training from Oregon Culinary Institute, Jessica’s culinary journey spans nearly a decade of creating and sharing flavorful recipes.
Her deep appreciation for local ingredients shapes each of her recipes, making them both accessible and inspiring. At Beard and Bonnet, Jessica uses her cheerful, down-to-earth writing to help readers effortlessly bring new tastes and creative dishes into their daily routines.
Jessica Martin
Recipe Developer & Food Writer
Expertise
Recipe Development, Food Styling and Photography, Seasonal and Local Ingredients, Vegetarian and Vegan Cuisine, Culinary Education
Education
Portland Community College
Oregon Culinary Institute
Jessica Martin is a talented food writer and recipe creator who specializes in seasonal cooking and approachable home baking.
Educated at Portland Community College with additional pastry training from Oregon Culinary Institute, Jessica’s culinary journey spans nearly a decade of creating and sharing flavorful recipes.
Her deep appreciation for local ingredients shapes each of her recipes, making them both accessible and inspiring. At Beard and Bonnet, Jessica uses her cheerful, down-to-earth writing to help readers effortlessly bring new tastes and creative dishes into their daily routines.