Name: Cabbage Roll Casserole
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 120 min
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 kosher 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

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.

Lazy cabbage roll casserole in a large pan with rice.

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.

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Why you'll love this recipe
Ingredient List
Equipment
Instructions
Eileen's Tips for Success
Variations
Make-ahead, storage, and freezer tips
Serving Suggestions
Similar recipes
📖 Recipe
💬 Comments

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

The ingredients to make lazy cabbage casserole with text overlay.

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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.

Ground beef in a large pan being browned for cabbage roll casserole.

Step 1: In a large skillet, brown the beef and drain excess grease.

A large saute pan with cooked ground beef, rice, and chopped cabbage.

Step 2: Stir together the beef broth and tomato sauce. Then mix in the remaining ingredients.

A saute pan with cooked ground beef and cabbage for a lazy cabbage casserole.

Step 3: Once the ingredients are combined, transfer them to a 9x13 casserole dish.

A cabbage roll casserole ready to go in the oven.

Step 4: Bake covered in the preheated oven for an hour. Then uncover and bake for an additional 30 minutes.

A cooked lazy cabbage roll casserole on a large baking pan.

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.