Cabbage Roll Casserole Recipe
A hearty Cabbage Roll Casserole Recipe made with layers of seasoned ground beef, rice, shredded cabbage, marinara sauce, bacon, and melted mozzarella for a comforting family-style dish.
8 Servings
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 1 white onion chopped
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 2 jars 24 oz each marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried dill
- ½ teaspoon dried sage
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 cups cooked white rice
- 4 bacon strips cooked and crumbled
- 1 medium head cabbage approx. 2 lbs, shredded
- 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese grated
- Butter or nonstick spray for greasing the baking dish
Instructions
Preheat Oven
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray and set aside.
Cook the Beef and Aromatics
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and onion until the beef is fully browned. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 additional minute. Drain excess grease.
Season the Meat Mixture
- Stir in one jar of marinara sauce, along with the thyme, dill, sage, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Bring to a gentle boil, cover, reduce the heat, and allow to simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in the cooked bacon and rice, then remove from heat.
Layer the Casserole
- Place one-third of the shredded cabbage evenly on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Spread half of the meat and rice mixture over the cabbage. Repeat with another third of cabbage, the remaining meat mixture, and top with the final third of cabbage.
Add the Sauce
- Pour the second jar of marinara sauce evenly over the top layer of cabbage. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil.
Bake the Casserole
- Transfer to the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes, or until the cabbage is tender.
Finish with Cheese
- Remove the foil and sprinkle the grated mozzarella evenly across the top. Return to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 10–12 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Rest and Serve
- Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
To make this casserole gluten-free, ensure that the marinara sauce you use is certified gluten-free, as some brands may contain hidden gluten. Replace the white rice with certified gluten-free rice if needed, and confirm all seasonings and spices are free from gluten-containing additives.