Introduction
fill, roll, and tuck everything into a pan. This casserole gives you the same comforting flavors—tender cabbage, savory ground meat, rice,
and a rich tomato sauce—layered or stirred together in a simple bake that’s weeknight-friendly and meal-prep perfect.
It’s hearty, budget-friendly, and one of those dishes that tastes even better the next day.
Traditional cabbage rolls are delicious, but they can feel like a weekend project. This “lazy” version keeps the soul of the dish while cutting
the effort down to something realistic. You brown the meat, soften the cabbage, stir in sauce and seasonings, and bake until everything is tender
and cozy. The “regulations” that make it great are straightforward: slice cabbage into bite-size pieces so it cooks evenly, season the meat well,
don’t drown the casserole in watery liquid, and let it bake long enough for the flavors to blend.
Another reason this recipe is a keeper: it’s flexible. Use beef, turkey, pork, or sausage. Add extra garlic, make it spicy, swap rice for cauliflower
rice, or top it with cheese if you like a baked casserole finish. Whether you’re feeding a family, meal-prepping lunches, or bringing comfort food
to a potluck, this casserole always delivers.
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 1 1/2–2 lb (680–900 g) green cabbage, chopped (about 6–8 cups)
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (or ground turkey/pork)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3–4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup cooked rice (white or brown) or 1/2 cup uncooked rice (see notes)
Tomato sauce layer
- 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) tomato sauce
- 1 can (14.5 oz / 410 g) diced tomatoes (with juices)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste (optional, thickens and deepens flavor)
- 1–1 1/2 cups beef broth (or chicken broth)
Seasoning
- 1 1/2 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1–2 tbsp brown sugar (optional, classic cabbage-roll sweetness)
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (optional)
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
Optional toppings
- 1–2 cups shredded mozzarella (or cheddar)
- Fresh parsley for garnish
- Sour cream for serving
Ingredient notes: Cooked rice makes this truly easy and prevents texture issues.
If you want to use uncooked rice, you’ll need a longer covered bake time and enough broth so it cooks through.
Tomato paste helps avoid a watery casserole.
