Description
A hearty and comforting stuffed cabbage casserole, perfect for a family meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 T olive oil, divided
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped small
- 1 T finely minced garlic
- 1/2 tsp. dried thyme
- 1 tsp. sweet Hungarian Paprika
- 1/2 tsp. sharp Hungarian Paprika (optional)
- Salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
- 1 1/2 heads green cabbage, coarsely chopped
- 1 14 oz. can petite diced tomatoes with juice
- 1 15 oz. can tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 2 cups cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F/180C. Spray a large glass or crockery casserole dish with non-stick spray.
- Heat 1-2 tsp. olive oil in a large frying pan; add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking apart as it cooks. Remove ground beef to a bowl.
- In the same pan, add more olive oil if needed, then add chopped onion and cook over medium heat until translucent and starting to brown, about 5 minutes.
- Add minced garlic, dried thyme, and paprika; cook for about 2 minutes more.
- Add diced tomatoes with juice, tomato sauce, and ground beef. Rinse cans with about 1/4 cup water and add to the pan. Let mixture simmer until hot and slightly thickened, about 15-20 minutes.
- While the meat mixture simmers, cut cabbage in half, remove core, and chop coarsely.
- Heat about 2 tsp. olive oil in a large frying pan, add cabbage, and cook over medium-high heat until wilted and half cooked, turning several times. Season with salt and black pepper.
- When meat mixture has cooked for 15-20 minutes, stir in cooked rice and gently combine.
- Layer half the cabbage, half the meat mixture, the other half of cabbage, and the other half of meat mixture in the casserole dish.
- Cover tightly with foil and bake about 40 minutes, until mixture is just bubbling on the edges.
- Remove foil, sprinkle on cheese if using, and bake uncovered for an additional 20 minutes, until cheese is melted and slightly browned. Serve hot.
- To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and either microwave until hot or heat in the oven covered with foil.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of olive oil based on your pan’s needs.
- Cheese is optional based on preference or dietary needs.
- Consider the paprika’s spiciness for children; it can be omitted if desired.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Main Dishes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 70mg