This hearty and savory cabbage roll casserole combines the flavors of rich tomato sauce with cabbage, beef, and cheese. Without the hassle of making traditional cabbage rolls, the casserole version is perfect for any weeknight dinner!
Cabbage rolls are absolutely delicious, but it takes a lot of effort to stuff and roll them. When you're short on time but want to enjoy the flavors of stuffed cabbage rolls, make this cabbage roll casserole. Similar to homemade lasagna, this recipe is layered with seasoned ground beef, tomato sauce, rice, and cabbage topped with melted mozzarella cheese. And just like my beef enchilada casserole, this is one of the most delicious and comforting casseroles you'll ever eat!
Traditional cabbage rolls require you to boil the cabbage leaves and then fill them with meat, rice, tomato sauce, and cheese. They are then rolled and baked. While delicious, it's messy and can be a hassle if the cabbage leaves rip. That's why I love this version so much. This is more of an unstuffed cabbage casserole version that is made in the crock pot.
This dish is made with simple ingredients that can be found at any local grocery store. This is a budget friendly meal and you'll enjoy the flavors of classic cabbage rolls in every bite! And, it pairs amazingly well with this romaine lettuce salad, this homemade garlic and rosemary flatbread, or these oven baked roasted potatoes!
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✔️ Quick Recipe Overview
Why This Is The Best Cabbage Roll Casserole: Slow cooked in the crock pot, you'll love the satisfying flavors with each layer of beef, cabbage, rice, tomato sauce, and mozzarella cheese!
How Long It Takes: 4 hours
Equipment You'll Need: crock pot, skillet
ℹ️ Why This Recipe Works
1. With only 20 minutes to prepare, layer all the ingredients and let the crock pot do all the work!
2. You don't have to cook the cabbage leaves ahead of time. The cabbage is chopped instead and layered with simple ingredients.
3. There's no need to double the recipe. This cabbage roll casserole makes a lot and is great for leftovers!
🛒 Ingredients You'll Need
- Ground Beef - adds flavor and protein to the dish.
- Cabbage - use fresh cabbage, not frozen. The cabbage will turn to mush if frozen.
- Onion - use a small yellow or white onion to ensure the flavor is balanced and not overbearing.
- Garlic - for the best flavor, use fresh cloves of garlic instead of the jarred version or garlic pasta.
- Tomato Sauce - helps add flavor and helps cook the rice.
- Diced Tomatoes - use cans instead of fresh diced tomatoes. It adds the perfect amount of flavor and texture.
- Tomato Soup - used as a thickening agent and adds additional flavor.
- Rice - helps thicken the casserole and adds carbs.
- Seasonings - salt, thyme, and paprika are used to provide a balanced flavor in every bite.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
📋 Variations
It's easy to make modifications without changing the incredible taste of this comforting dish.
- Instead of ground beef, try using ground turkey meat, pork, or any plant based meat.
- To keep this dish lean, use 92% or 96% ground beef.
- Substitute brown rice for white rice.
- To make a low carb version, leave out the rice completely.
- Add some heat by adding ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes or a freshly chopped jalapeno pepper.
- Try using pepper jack or Monterey jack cheese instead of mozzarella.
- For a Mexican flavor, add in a small can of chopped green chiles.
🔪 How To Make Cabbage Roll Casserole
Step 1: Start by chopping the onion. Put the ground beef in a large skillet. Add the chopped onion, fresh garlic, paprika, thyme, and salt to the skillet and cook over medium heat until no longer pink. Drain the fat in a colander and then set aside.
Step 2: Next, add 1 cup of the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, 1 cup water, and ½ can of tomato soup to the skillet with the cooked ground beef.
Step 3: Add the rice to the skillet and mix well until heated through, about 10 minutes. Set aside.
Step 4: While the beef and cabbage roll sauce is heating in the skillet on the stove top, go ahead and cut the cabbage into 4 wedges and remove the core. Chop the cabbage into large bite sized pieces.
Step 5: From there, layer ½ of the beef and cabbage roll sauce mixture in the crock pot. Then, layer ½ of the freshly chopped cabbage.
Step 6: Repeat the layers again.
👩🍳 Chef's Note: If you love cheese, add some mozzarella into the layering process! Simply add an extra ½ cup of shredded mozzarella on top of the chopped cabbage before adding on the last layer of sauce mixture.
Step 7: After the layering is complete, combine the remaining tomato soup, remaining tomato sauce, and ⅓ cup water into a large bowl.
Step 8: Stir to combine and then pour the mixture over the top layer of cabbage. Put the lid on the crock pot and cook on low for 4 hours.
Step 9: Once done, turn the crock pot off and top with shredded mozzarella cheese. Allow the cheese to melt before serving. Add salt and pepper to taste.
This easy family favorite combines all the delicious flavors of stuffed cabbage rolls with a lot less work. These are lazy man cabbage rolls in casserole form that is cooked to savory perfection!
🙋 Recipe FAQs
Store any leftovers in a container with a lid in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. To reheat, place a serving in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, until warmed all the way through.
I don't recommend freezing this recipe. When thawed and reheated, it tends to turn out mushy.
💭 Expert Tips
- While pre-shredded cheese works fine in this recipe, use freshly grated cheese for best results.
- Don't use cauliflower rice. It will change the texture and make it mushy.
- Make sure to follow the instructions on the divided ingredients in the recipe card. It makes a difference taste wise.
- Don't overcook. When the rice is fully cooked, it's done.
- While a leaner % of ground meat will keep this dish healthier, using a higher fat ground meat will provide more flavor.
🥗 Serving Suggestions
If you tried this cabbage roll casserole or any other recipes on my website, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below. I love hearing from you! And, please leave a 🌟 rating while you're there!
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Cabbage Roll Casserole
Equipment
- crock pot
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 15 ounce can tomato sauce, divided
- 1⅓ cup water, divided
- 1 can condensed tomato soup, divided
- 1 28 ounce can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon thyme
- ¾ cup white rice, uncooked
- 1 head cabbage
- 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Start by chopping the onion. Put the 2 lbs. of ground beef in a large skillet. Add the chopped onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon of paprika, ½ teaspoon thyme, and 1½ teaspoons of salt to the skillet and cook over medium heat until no longer pink. Drain the fat in a colander and set aside.
- Next, add ½ of the can of tomato sauce, the 28 ounce can of diced tomatoes, 1 cup water, and ½ can of tomato soup to the skillet with the cooked ground beef.
- Add the ¾ cup of uncooked rice to the skillet and mix well until heated through, about 10 minutes. Set aside.
- Cut the cabbage into 4 wedges and remove the core. Chop the cabbage into large bite sized pieces.
- From there, layer ½ of the beef and cabbage roll sauce mixture in the crock pot. Then layer ½ of the freshly chopped cabbage.
- Repeat the layers again.
- After the layering is complete, combine the remaining ½ can of tomato soup, remaining ½ can of tomato sauce, and ⅓ cup water into a large bowl.
- Stir to combine and then pour the mixture over the top layer of cabbage. Put the lid on the crock pot.
- Cook on low for 4 hours or just until rice is done. Once done, turn Crock Pot off, sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top and let sit 10 minutes to set and melt cheese. Add additional salt and pepper to taste.
Video
Notes
- If you love cheese, add some mozzarella into the layering process! Simply add ½ cup of shredded mozzarella on top of the chopped cabbage before adding on the last layer of sauce mixture.
- While pre-shredded cheese works fine in this recipe, use freshly grated cheese for best results.
- Don't use cauliflower rice. It will change the texture and make it mushy.
- Make sure to follow the instructions on the divided ingredients in the recipe card. It actually does make a difference taste wise.
- Don't overcook. When the rice is fully cooked, it's done.
- While a leaner % of ground meat will keep this dish healthier, using a higher fat ground beef will provide more flavor.
Randy
Amanda, I made this recipe in my "Instant Pot" tonight for Sunday Dinner. My wife said that this is a definite "Keeper" She calls me ("Chef Randy") since I love to cook and bake. Since there is only the two of us, I only used 1-Pound of ground chuck, 3 heaping spoons of minced garlic in lieu of the cloves, used 1 can of roasted red pepper cooking soup in lieu of tomato sauce, 1 -1/2 cup of water, 2 heaping cups of mozzarella, and 1-1/2 (8oz) blocks of cream cheese.
I kept most of your steps the same except for these few changes: I browned the meat (Virtually no grease) placed 1/2 on the bottom of the pot, added the uncooked rice, added half of the cabbage, added I/2 of the ingredients, layered the second half the same. Closed the (6Qt) lid and put it on pressure for 35 minutes. Walked away until it had finished cooking, let it naturally release pressure, came back in 10 minutes, released what pressure that was left, opened the lid, added the cheeses, closed the lid and set it to keep warm for 10 minutes. Reopened the lid, stirred it and my wife was already standing next to me with 2 big ole bowls. ("Delicious!!!)
Amanda, This dish is really a 10 star dish.
Amanda Mason
Randy - WOW! What an amazing flavor combo you made!!! I love that you added 2 types of cheese and made this in the instant pot!! I know - this one is absolutely one of our favorites, too!! Thank you so much for letting me know you loved my recipe! I cant wait to hear what other recipes of mine you like!!!
TamaraFleury
This is the best crockpot cabbage casserole recipe, we love it..I mix cream cheese in it just before adding the mozzarella to melt.. it's delicious..
Amanda Mason
Tamara - I'm SO glad you guys love it!! It's one of my all time favorite crockpot recipes!! Love the idea on adding cream cheese!!!
Alan
Thanks for posting this great-looking recipe. I use my slow-cooker almost exclusively. I was wondering if it would be okay to add pre-shredded cabbage (ie, for Cole slaw) instead of chopping the cabbage as you've directed?
Amanda Mason
Absolutely!! Cut corners where you can to save time! Using a bag of pre-shredded cabbage (like coleslaw) should totally work! I would look for bigger chunks in your pre-cut bag. Let me know how it turns out!
Holly
do you think I could use brown rice in place of the white?
Amanda Mason
Absolutely!! Brown rice would be great to use in this recipe!!
Kevin
Very tasty!! I read the recipe and sounded so yummy and we wanted to have something different to try and this one was it!! I love it and shared it with my kitty cat and she loved it as well!!😁
Amanda Mason
Hi Kevin! I'm SO glad you liked it...and your kitty, too!! Thanks so much for writing in and leaving a comment!
Jackie
Thoughts on using riced cauliflower instead of traditional rice? What modifications should I make before I attempt making this?
Amanda Mason
I don't recommend using cauliflower rice in this recipe. It will fall apart and become all mushy.
Jessica Pinney
Mmm...love me some cabbage rolls! I'll definitely be adding this to my list of low carb dinner recipes.
Amanda Mason
I hope you enjoy!!
Kristina
What's funny is that I HATED casseroles when I was younger, but now that I've grown older (and hopefully wiser) I can't get enough. This looks like the perfect late winter easy recipe!
Amanda Mason
Yes! It's a great winter recipe! Enjoy!!
Monica | Nourish & Fete
I had to smile reading about how you grew up with casseroles, because this recipe reminds me a lot of something my own Mom used to make! Unfortunately for her I'm pretty sure I turned up my nose at it at the time, but of course now it sounds really tasty to me! I can't wait to try it and tell her - she'll laugh and be glad I've evolved, I am sure!
Amanda Mason
HA HA!! yes - she sure will be proud! I hope you enjoy this one!
Jennifer
Love that it’s made in a crock pot, aka my BFF. Love that the ingredient list is simple. Love how yummy it looks. Love, love, love this recipe!
Amanda Mason
So funny...my slow cooker is my BFF, too! My Instant Pot is my 2nd BFF!!