Unstuffed Ground Beef Cabbage Roll Casserole One-Pan

I was a mom of three teens, and dinner was already chaos. School, sports, music lessons. I made this unstuffed cabbage casserole because my husband loves traditional cabbage rolls, but honestly? I refused to spend an afternoon blanching and rolling. One pan, thirty minutes, same delicious, rich flavor… and the kids actually ate the cabbage. No fuss, no fight, just dinner.

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Why I’ll Never Make Traditional Cabbage Rolls Again

As a modern twist on the traditional cabbage rolls, this casserole skips the labor-intensive rolling and opts for a layered approach with one pan. Whether you’re committed to a keto diet or just looking for an easy cabbage dish that keeps carbs in check.

My husband and I grew up loving cabbage rolls, but let’s be honest, all that blanching, stuffing, and rolling takes most of your afternoon. I made them once when we were first married. Everyone loved them, but it was so much work. I never made them again.

When I started watching my carbs, I knew there had to be a better way to get that same cozy, satisfying flavor without spending hours in the kitchen. This one-pan casserole gives you everything you love about the original in about 30 minutes flat.

This ground meat dish will prove that healthy, easy recipes can also be incredibly satisfying. So why wait? Let’s dive into how to create this crowd-pleaser that is sure to become a staple in your collection of casserole recipes.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

This ground beef casserole skillfully blends the comforting flavors of traditional cabbage rolls with the convenience of a one-pan casserole recipe. The one-pan recipe makes it an ideal meal for any busy evening. It offers a delicious recipe that pleases the taste buds without complicating your busy schedule, ensuring a tasty and efficient dining experience.

This easy cabbage recipe uses simple ingredients to whip up a delicious casserole that will impress every cabbage fan. By deconstructing the classic, we preserve all the rich flavors of ground meat and cabbage, yet significantly reduce prep and cook time, ideal for busy weeknights.

Plus, this dish is versatile enough to meet the dietary preferences of the whole family, ensuring that the entire family can enjoy a nourishing meal together.

I know your family will love this recipe. It is so easy to make and delicious. Jim and I had it for dinner and then finished all of the leftovers for lunch the next day. You are going to love that you can make a healthy dinner in no time, and everyone will enjoy it. They may not even notice all the veggies.

5 Ways to Change Up This Unstuffed Cabbage Casserole Dinner:

• If you do not have a lot of the seasonings, you can substitute Italian seasoning. 
• If you would like it to be spicy and add some extra flavor, you can add red pepper flakes, chili powder, or Cajun seasoning.
• Use a green cabbage or napa cabbage.
• You can substitute the lean ground beef with ground chicken or lean ground turkey. 
• You can add any cheese you like, such as mozzarella cheese or a hearty sprinkling of parmesan cheese. 

You Probably Already Have These Cabbage Casserole Ingredients

• 2 small Onions diced
• 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
• 1 teaspoon minced Garlic (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
• 1 Green Bell Pepper (can use red or yellow)
• 1 pound of Lean Ground Beef (I use Butcher Box Ground Beef)
• 1/2 Onion Powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon of smoked or sweet Paprika
• 1 can Diced Tomatoes (14 oz can)
• Salt and Pepper to taste (I do not add any salt when cooking, just the pepper for heart health)
• 1/2 a large head of cabbage
• 1 to 2 cups of Shredded Cheddar Cheese (can use Monterey Jack cheese)

How to Make this Cabbage Casserole Recipe

1. Before you start to cook, prepare your vegetables. Dice the onions and bell peppers and mince the garlic. Cut a large cabbage in half, remove the outer cabbage leaves, and remove the cabbage’s hard middle core. Chop half of the cabbage into bite-sized pieces. 
2. In a large deep-sided large skillet or Dutch oven, heat over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil, onions, and minced garlic. When the onions start to cook, add the diced bell pepper. When the onion, garlic, and peppers are soft, remove them from the pan and set aside. 
3. Add the second tablespoon of olive oil to the pan and add the ground beef. Brown the ground beef and separate it into small pieces until cooked through. 
4. To the ground beef mixture, add the onion powder, oregano, paprika, diced tomatoes, salt, and pepper, and mix well. 
5. Add the chopped cabbage, cover, and cook on medium heat for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, stir and cook another 15 minutes. 
6. When the cabbage is wilted and cooked to tenderness, and add the shredded cheese on top and let it melt. Serve warm.

I know your family will love this recipe. It is so easy to make and delicious. Jim and I had it for dinner and then finished all of the leftovers for lunch the next day. You are going to love that you can make a healthy dinner in no time, and everyone will enjoy it. They may not even notice all the veggies.

Can You Make Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Casserole Ahead or Freeze It?

Can You Make Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Casserole Ahead or Freeze It?

Make Ahead:

• Make the full casserole up to 2 days ahead
• Store covered in the refrigerator
• Reheat on the stovetop or microwave when ready
• Flavors actually get better overnight

To Freeze:

• Cool completely before freezing
• Store in an airtight freezer-safe container
• Freeze for up to 3 months
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator
• Reheat gently on the stove, adding a splash of broth if needed

Frequently Asked Questions: Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Casserole

More Easy & Delicious Beef Recipes You Will Love

• Tender Sirloin Cap CrockPot Recipe
• How to Make the Best Healthy Sloppy Joes Recipe
• Cheeseburger Mac and Cheese Casserole – no tomato sauce

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