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A large casserole dish filled with baked stuffed cabbage roll casserole

Deconstructed Stuffed Cabbage Roll Casserole

This Deconstructed Stuffed Cabbage Roll Casserole offers all the comforting flavors of traditional cabbage rolls in an easy-to-make casserole format, perfect for a hearty family meal.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Large oven-safe pot or Dutch oven
  • Large skillet (optional)

Ingredients
  

Ground Meat Mixture

  • 1.5 lbs Ground Meat (can be beef, pork, or a mix)

Vegetables & Aromatics

  • 1 Cabbage large head (about 2-3 lbs), cored and chopped
  • 1 medium Onion chopped
  • 3-4 cloves Garlic minced

Sauce & Seasoning

  • 1 cup Rice uncooked, long-grain white rice (such as Basmati or Jasmine)
  • 1 Crushed Tomatoes (28-ounce) can
  • 1 Tomato Sauce (15-ounce) can
  • 1 cup Beef Broth
  • 2 tablespoons Brown Sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Paprika
  • Salt & Black Pepper to taste
  • 1-2 tablespoons Olive Oil for sautéing

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large oven-safe pot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.
  • Sauté the chopped onion for about 5 minutes until softened, then add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  • Add the ground meat, break it up, and cook until browned, then drain any excess fat.

Assembly & Baking

  • Stir in the uncooked rice, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and paprika.
  • Season generously with salt and pepper and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
  • Add half of the chopped cabbage to the pot and gently stir it into the meat and rice mixture.
  • Cover the pot tightly and bake for 60-75 minutes, or until the rice is tender and most liquid is absorbed.

Finishing Touches

  • Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest, covered, for 10-15 minutes.
  • Stir gently before serving to meld flavors and ensure full liquid absorption by the rice.

Notes

For even browning, ensure the ground meat is well broken up during cooking. If you don't have a Dutch oven, you can prepare the mixture in a large skillet and then transfer it to a 9x13 inch casserole dish to bake, covering tightly with foil.