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You love my cabbage rolls, and I know you guys love a casserole. So obviously, this cabbage roll casserole is the perfect match. All the delicious flavor with less work!
A Reader’s Review
Had cabbage and was looking for a cabbage recipe. This was delicious.
– Jane
Why This Cabbage Roll Casserole Crushes the Rest
- Easy Casserole Version: This is everything you love about cabbage rolls, layered into a casserole, no rolling or stuffing required.
- Sneaky veggie win: The mix of flavors in this is so delicious, your kids won’t even realize they’re eating veggies (yes, even the cabbage).
- Hearty, cheesy, and totally satisfying: Loaded with seasoned beef, rice, marinara, and melty cheese, it keeps everyone full and happy.
Cabbage Casserole Ingredients
- Beef: I love using lean ground beef to make this meal healthier for my family. You can also use ground turkey, sausage, or a combination.
- Rice: I prefer long-grain white rice in this recipe. Using premade packaged rice makes the prep even easier. Feel free to use brown rice or cauliflower rice as a gluten-free option.
- Cheese: Our family loves melty Colby-Jack, but you can use cheddar instead. If you prefer, you can also skip the cheese altogether.
How to Make Easy Cabbage Roll Casserole
What I love about this cabbage roll bake is that I don’t have to roll the cabbage. I just throw everything together and still get all the amazing flavor, minus the work.
- Cook Meat Mixture: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. In a large skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil, ground beef, and minced onion. Cook until the meat is no longer pink and the onion is softened. Add the garlic, Italian seasoning, dill, salt, and pepper. Stir and cook for 30 seconds. Add the marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, and cooked rice.
- Simmer: Stir until combined and continue to cook until warmed through.
- Precook the Cabbage: In a large pot, add the butter and cabbage. Cook on high heat until the cabbage is barely wilted and browned.
- Assemble the Casserole: To assemble the casserole, layer half of the cooked cabbage in the bottom of the casserole dish.
- Next Layer: Evenly layer half of the beef mixture on top of the cabbage, followed by 1 cup of shredded cheese. Repeat the layers one more time.
- Bake and Enjoy: Bake for 20-25 minutes until hot and bubbly. Garnish cabbage roll casserole with fresh parsley and enjoy!
Alyssa’s Pro Tip
Cabbage: Don’t skip precooking the cabbage. It releases excess water so your cabbage roll casserole isn’t soupy. Drain it well and blot with paper towels if needed.
How to Enjoy Leftovers
Leftovers are the gift that keeps on giving, and this cabbage roll casserole is even tastier the next day for lunch!
- In the Refrigerator: Store your casserole in the fridge for up to 3-4 days in an airtight container for the best freshness.
- In the Freezer: Freeze in an airtight container for up to 2 months, thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
- To Reheat: Microwave with a damp paper towel in 1-2 minute intervals, stirring until heated through. For a crispy topping, cover with foil and bake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes. Enjoy! You can take the foil off to brown the cheese if you prefer.
More Tasty Cabbage Recipes
Let’s be real, cabbage is cheap, and with how crazy prices are these days, I’m trying to use it as much as possible. Here are a few more recipes to help your budget go further.
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Cabbage Roll Casserole Recipe
My Cabbage Roll Casserole is a quick, veggie-packed dinner with all the flavors your family will love, no rolling required!
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds lean ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup minced onion
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon dill
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 24 ounces marinara sauce, homemade or store-bought
- 1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes with juice
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 6 cups roughly chopped cabbage
- 2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly spray a 9×13-inch casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 ½ pounds lean ground beef, and ½ cup minced onion. Cook until the meat is no longer pink and the onion is softened.
- Add 2 cloves minced garlic, 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon dill, 1 teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Stir and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add 24 ounces marinara sauce, 1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes with juice, and 2 cups cooked rice. Stir until combined and continue to cook until warmed through.
- In a large pot, add 2 tablespoons butter and 6 cups roughly chopped cabbage. Cook on high heat until the cabbage is barely wilted and browned.
- To assemble the casserole, layer half of the cooked cabbage in the bottom of the casserole dish. Evenly layer half of the beef mixture on top of the cabbage, followed by HALF of the 2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese.
- Repeat the layers one more time, finishing with the remaining cheese on top of the casserole.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until hot and bubbly. Garnish with fresh parsley and enjoy!
Notes
Updated May 8, 2025
Nutrition
Calories: 516kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 39gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 14gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 122mgSodium: 1310mgPotassium: 1013mgFiber: 4gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 1127IUVitamin C: 37mgCalcium: 387mgIron: 5mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!
Thank you, for your unstuffed cabbage casserole. I have been looking for this.
Had cabbage and was looking for a cabbage recipe. This was delicious.
I undercooked my rice so I omitted it turned it still tasted really good. Topped it with mozzarella cheese
THANKS!!!!
You have a tater tot casserole made with ground beef and I can’t find it in your casserole recipes that I have. will you please send it to me. Thank you.
That sounds like cowboy casserole! ?
Can you make this in a slow cooker?
Yes! In a large skillet over medium-heat, add the olive oil, ground beef, and minced onion. Cook until the meat is no longer pink and the onion is softened. Add the garlic, Italian seasoning, dill, salt, and pepper. Stir and cook for 30 seconds. Add the marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, and *UNCOOKED* rice and 1/3 cup of water. Stir until combined. Spray the bottom and sides of a crockpot with pan spray before layering the meat mixture with the chopped cabbage in it. Cover and cook on low heat for 4 hours. Before serving, top with cheese and cover for 5-10 minutes, until the cheese is melted. Top with parsley