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If you love classic cabbage rolls but don’t love all the rolling, this cabbage casserole has your name written all over it. It’s hearty, cheesy, loaded with ground beef and tender cabbage, and comes together with a whole lot less effort.
This easy cabbage casserole delivers all the cozy, comforting flavours of traditional cabbage rolls in one simple baking dish. Made with ground beef, cabbage, tomatoes, and plenty of melty cheese, it’s a satisfying weeknight dinner that’s naturally low carb, keto friendly, and just as freezer friendly as it is family friendly.
Serve it with a fresh garden salad with creamy balsamic vinaigrette for a lighter meal or pair it with my cabbage steak recipe if you can’t get enough cabbage on your plate.
What You’ll Need to Make This Cabbage Casserole
This easy cabbage casserole comes together with simple, everyday ingredients you may already have on hand. Here’s what you’ll need and a few tips before you get started.
- Ground Beef: The main protein in this cabbage casserole. I usually use lean ground beef, but ground turkey, ground pork, or ground chicken all work well if you want to switch things up.
- Green Cabbage: You can’t have a cabbage casserole without it! Green cabbage softens beautifully as it cooks while still holding a little texture. It’s also naturally low carb, making it a great choice for this recipe.
- Bell Pepper: Adds colour, flavour, and a little extra crunch. Feel free to use any colour bell pepper you have on hand.
- Onion: Adds sweetness and savoury flavour as it cooks. Yellow or white onion both work well.
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic adds the best flavour.
- Diced Tomatoes: I use canned diced tomatoes with Italian seasonings for convenience, but fresh diced tomatoes work too if you have them.
- Italian Seasoning: A simple blend of herbs that ties everything together. If you like making your own spice blends, try my homemade Italian seasoning.
- Salt and Pepper: Simple but essential for bringing all the flavours together.
- Cheese: I love using a blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack for a cheesy, melty topping, but mozzarella or another favourite melting cheese works just as well.
- Olive Oil: Helps brown the ground beef and adds a little extra flavour. Avocado oil is another great option.
- Fresh Parsley: Optional, but a sprinkle over top adds freshness and a nice pop of colour before serving.
Find the full ingredient list and exact measurements in the recipe card below.
Helpful Tips for the Best Cabbage Casserole
You can find the full recipe in the recipe card below, but here are a few simple tips to help your unstuffed cabbage casserole turn out its best every time.
- Prep everything before you start. The stovetop portion of this recipe comes together quickly, so having your cabbage chopped, vegetables diced, and cheese grated will make the cooking process much smoother.
- Brown the ground beef first. Let it develop a little colour before adding the vegetables for the best flavour. If there’s a lot of excess grease, drain it before moving on.
- Cook the cabbage to your liking. For a little texture, cook it for about 10 minutes. If you prefer softer cabbage, let it cook closer to 20 minutes before transferring everything to the baking dish.
- Drain the tomatoes if you prefer a thicker casserole. I don’t mind a little extra liquid, but draining the canned tomatoes before adding them will help reduce the moisture.
- Taste before it goes in the oven. Once the cheese is melted on top, it’s much harder to adjust the seasoning. Give the mixture a quick taste and add more salt or pepper if needed.
- Grate your own cheese if you can. Freshly grated cheese melts much better than pre-shredded varieties, which often contain anti-caking agents that can affect the texture.
- Don’t overbake it. The casserole is ready once the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden. Baking it longer than necessary can dry it out.
- Let it rest before serving. Give the casserole about 5 minutes to cool after baking. It’ll hold together better when serving, and the flavours have a chance to settle.
Andrea Says
Feeding a smaller crowd? Divide the mixture between two smaller baking dishes and freeze one for an easy dinner another day.
Frequently Asked Questions
more favourite casserole recipes
If you’re anything like me, you can never have too many easy casserole recipes on hand. Here are a few more family favourites to add to your dinner rotation.
- Philly Cheesesteak Casserole. Rich, cheesy, and packed with bold flavour.
- Cheesy Sausage Casserole with Zucchini. An easy weeknight dinner everyone will love.
- Taco Casserole. Everything you love about taco night in one cozy casserole.
Quick Favour ⭐️ If you make this recipe, I’d love it if you left a quick rating + review. It’s the easiest way to support Hip Hip Gourmet, and I read every one.
Easy Cheesy Cabbage Casserole
Video
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 small green cabbage (chopped, about 8 cups)
- 1 green bell pepper (seeded and diced)
- 1 small white or yellow onion (diced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 (26-ounce) can Italian-style diced tomatoes (see Note)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper (or to taste)
- 2 cups freshly shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese
- fresh parsley (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks.
- Stir in the onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened.
- Stir in the chopped cabbage and cook, stirring frequently, until it softens to your liking, about 10 to 20 minutes.
- Add the diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix well and let it simmer for a few minutes.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and sprinkle evenly with the shredded cheese.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Don’t skip the good stuff —
scroll up above the recipe card for ingredient notes, tips & tricks, and easy swaps/variations.Made it? Tell me everything.
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