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savory cabbage beef bake
Lily Brooks

Savory Cabbage Beef Bake

This comforting casserole combines tender cabbage, seasoned ground beef, and a rich tomato sauce topped with melted cheese. It's a hearty, budget-friendly meal that transforms an underappreciated vegetable into a family favorite.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 320

Ingredients
  

  • 1 medium head cabbage about 2 pounds, cored and roughly chopped
  • 1 pound lean ground beef 90/10 recommended
  • 1 medium yellow onion finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 can 15 oz tomato sauce
  • 1 can 14.5 oz diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese cheddar, mozzarella, or a blend
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Core and chop the cabbage into 1-inch pieces.
  2. Boil cabbage in salted water for 5 minutes. Drain thoroughly and press out excess moisture.
  3. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high. Sauté onions for 2-3 minutes, add garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add ground beef and brown completely, about 5-7 minutes.
  4. Drain excess fat. Stir in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, paprika, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
  5. In a greased 9x13 inch baking dish, layer half the cabbage, half the beef mixture. Repeat with remaining cabbage and beef.
  6. Top with shredded cheese. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10-15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and browned.
  7. Let casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving to set layers and retain moisture.

Nutrition

Serving: 1portion (1/6 of casserole)Calories: 320kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 24gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 65mgSodium: 580mgFiber: 4gSugar: 6g

Notes

You can substitute ground turkey or a plant-based meat alternative. Pre-shredded cabbage or fire-roasted tomatoes can be used for convenience and flavor. Letting the dish rest ensures clean slices and deeper flavor.

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