Lazy Cabbage Roll Casserole is a delicious and easy dinner choice for busy days. A quick casserole that can be made ahead of time, freezer friendly, and great for meal prep.
Tender cabbage, beef, and white rice in a tangy tomato sauce seasoned with Hungarian paprika make a hearty comfort food meal that your whole family will love.
This lazy unstuffed cabbage roll casserole is one of my favorite ways to save time in the kitchen and have a flavorful meal on the table. Not only is it full of delicious flavors, but it's great for busy days or even special occasions. You won't regret making this simple recipe.
Looking for specifics on the recipe? Use the table of contents to click on sections of the recipe.
Jump to:
Why you'll love this recipe
- Lazy casserole means lots of flavor without a lot of fussing in the kitchen. No precooking the cabbage.
- This deconstructed cabbage roll casserole is all the flavors of a traditional stuffed cabbage meal without the extra prep of stuffing the cabbage.
- Not only is the cabbage roll casserole full of delicious flavors, it's great for busy days or special occasions, great for a crowd.
- Family-friendly and picky eaters will love this lazy man cabbage casserole.
Ingredient List
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
- ground beef
- salt
- black pepper
- Hungarian paprika
- tomato sauce
- beef broth
- green cabbage
- yellow onion
- uncooked long-grain white rice
- parsley, optional garnish
- non-stick cooking spray
Equipment
- 9x13 inch casserole dish
- Cast Iron Skillet
- Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
- Measuring Spoons and Cups
- Wooden Spoon
- knife
- Cutting Board
Instructions
This is an overview of the recipe. The full instructions are below in the recipe card.
Step 1: In a large skillet, brown the beef and drain excess grease.
Step 2: Stir together the beef broth and tomato sauce. Then mix in the remaining ingredients.
Step 3: Once the ingredients are combined, transfer them to a 9x13 casserole dish.
Step 4: Bake covered in the preheated oven for an hour. Then uncover and bake for an additional 30 minutes.
Eileen's Tips for Success
- I use an 80/20 beef mixture for this casserole. If you want to use lean ground beef, adding a small amount of vegetable oil to the skillet will prevent the meat from sticking.
- This is a lazy cabbage casserole which means we have made it so simple and there is no need to precook the cabbage .
- Garnish this casserole with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a pop of color.
Variations
Want to change up this recipe?
- Protein: Ground pork or ground turkey will also work in this casserole.
- Low Carb version: Use cauliflower rice instead. Reduce the broth by half so that your casserole isn't watery.
- Make it spicy: Add hot sauce, red pepper flakes, or chili powder to increase the heat.
- Vegetables: Amp up the veggies by adding ½ cup shredded carrots or diced.
- Make it cheesy: If your family loves cheese, add mozzarella cheese or Colby-Jack cheese to this recipe.
- Spices: Add Italian seasoning, garlic powder, or onion powder to the cabbage mixture.
Make-ahead, storage, and freezer tips
Storage - Store leftover casserole in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Make ahead - You can assemble the casserole a day ahead of time and store it in the fridge. When you're ready to bake, just take it out and pop it in the oven!
Freezing - This casserole also freezes well. Let the cooked casserole cool before transferring it to an airtight container or freezer-safe bag. Store in the freezer for up to three months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
Reheating - Reheat the entire casserole in the oven at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until warm. Or reheat single servings in the microwave until warm.
I love any comments or questions, please feel free to leave them below.
Keep up to date with recipes by following me on:
FACEBOOK INSTAGRAM PINTEREST TWITTER
Thank you for your continued support. I am forever grateful.
Eileen xo
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card, you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.
📖 Recipe
Save the Recipe?
Enter your email below and we'll send the recipe straight to your inbox to view anytime. Plus the bonus of regular recipes to you for inspiration!
Cabbage Roll Casserole
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases
Equipment Needed:
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon avocado oil to grease the casserole pan Note 1
- 2 pounds ground beef 80/20 ground beef mix works best
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon Hungarian paprika
- 1 (29) ounce can, tomato sauce
- 3 ½ cups beef broth
- 3 ½ pounds green cabbage, cored and chopped
- 1 cup yellow onion, diced Note 1
- 1 cup long grain white rice, uncooked
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F/177°C. Prepare a 9"x 13" casserole dish with 1 Tablespoon avocado oil or nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown 2 pounds ground beef, breaking up the meat as it browns. Remove and discard excess grease from the pan. Season the ground beef with 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, and ½ teaspoon Hungarian paprika . Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together 1 (29) ounce can, tomato sauce 3 ½ cups beef broth.
- To the bowl, stir in 3 ½ pounds green cabbage, cored and chopped, 1 cup yellow onion, diced ,1 cup long grain white rice, uncooked, and the browned ground beef mixture.
- Transfer the ingredients to the prepared casserole dish.
- Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake for 1 hour in the preheated oven.
- Uncover the casserole and carefully stir the contents in the casserole dish. Taste the casserole for seasoning; if needed, adjust seasonings. Re-cover and continue baking for an additional 30 minutes.
- Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to rest for 10 minutes prior to serving.
