Description
A hearty and comforting Cabbage Beef Bake that combines savory ground beef, tender cabbage, juicy diced tomatoes, and melted cheddar cheese. This easy baked casserole layers fresh ingredients and cooked rice for a complete, delicious meal perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cups cabbage, chopped
Other Ingredients
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ cup beef broth
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking during baking.
- Cook Beef and Onion: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and chopped onion together until the beef is browned and the onion has softened.
- Drain Fat: Carefully drain off the excess fat from the skillet to reduce greasiness.
- Season Beef Mixture: Stir in garlic powder, salt, and black pepper into the cooked beef and onion mixture to infuse flavor.
- Layer Cabbage: Place half of the chopped cabbage evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking dish as the base layer.
- Add Beef Mixture: Spread the seasoned beef and onion mixture evenly over the cabbage layer.
- Top with Rice: Evenly sprinkle the cooked rice over the beef mixture for texture and heartiness.
- Add Tomatoes: Pour the diced tomatoes along with their juice over the rice layer to add moisture and tang.
- Layer Remaining Cabbage: Add the remaining chopped cabbage evenly on top of the casserole layers.
- Add Broth: Gently pour the beef broth over the entire dish to keep the bake moist during cooking.
- Cover and Bake: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes to meld flavors and soften the cabbage.
- Remove Foil: Carefully remove the foil to prepare for the final cheese topping.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Bake Uncovered: Return the dish to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Cool Slightly: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool slightly to set and make serving easier.
- Serve: Serve warm and enjoy this cheesy, comforting baked meal.
Notes
- You can substitute cooked quinoa or cauliflower rice for regular rice for a lower-carb option.
- Feel free to add extra spices like smoked paprika or chili flakes for added flavor.
- Make sure to drain beef fat well to avoid excess grease in the dish.
- This casserole can be prepared in advance and refrigerated; just increase baking time by about 10 minutes when baking from cold.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated easily.
