Prepare to be blown away by the ultimate comfort food that will transform your dinner table: the Layered Beef Cabbage Casserole! Imagine a mouthwatering dish that combines the hearty richness of ground beef, the tender sweetness of cabbage, and a melty cheese topping that will make your taste buds dance with joy. This isn't just another casserole - it's a culinary masterpiece that promises to become your family's new favorite meal. Whether you're looking for a budget-friendly dinner or a crowd-pleasing recipe that screams home-cooked comfort, this dish is about to become your kitchen superhero!
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 60 mins
Total Time: 80 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 head of cabbage
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Begin by preparing the cabbage. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Carefully remove the core from the head of cabbage and place the whole head into the boiling water. Blanch the cabbage for about 5-7 minutes, or until the outer leaves are tender. Use tongs to carefully remove the cabbage from the pot and let it cool slightly. Once cool enough to handle, peel off the outer leaves and set them aside. You will need about 12-15 leaves for layering.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef and chopped onion. Cook until the beef is browned and the onion is translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
- Add the tomato sauce to the skillet with the beef and onion mixture. Stir to combine and let it simmer for about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- In a 9x13 inch baking dish, start layering the casserole. Begin with a layer of cabbage leaves at the bottom. Use enough leaves to cover the bottom completely.
- Add half of the beef and tomato sauce mixture over the cabbage layer, spreading it evenly.
- Sprinkle half of the shredded cheese over the beef layer.
- Repeat the layering process: add another layer of cabbage leaves, followed by the remaining beef and tomato sauce mixture, and top it off with the remaining cabbage leaves.
- Finish by sprinkling the remaining shredded cheese on top of the final layer of cabbage leaves.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil, ensuring it is tightly sealed to keep moisture in. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
- After 30 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Once done, remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for about 10 minutes before serving. This will help the layers set and make it easier to cut into portions.
- Serve warm, garnished with fresh herbs if desired, and enjoy your delicious Layered Beef Cabbage Casserole!
Tips
- For the most tender cabbage leaves, make sure to blanch them carefully and remove them gently to prevent tearing.
- Drain the ground beef thoroughly to prevent excess grease in your casserole. A leaner beef (90/10) works best for this recipe.
- Don't skip the resting time after baking - it helps the layers set and makes serving much easier.
- For extra flavor, consider adding garlic to your beef mixture or sprinkling some dried herbs like oregano or thyme between layers.
- If you want to make this dish ahead of time, you can assemble the casserole and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add an extra 10-15 minutes to the cooking time.
- To make this recipe even more nutritious, you can add diced bell peppers or mushrooms to the beef mixture.
- For a low-carb version, you can substitute the cabbage leaves with zucchini or eggplant slices.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 280kcal
Carbohydrates: 15g
Protein: 22g
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Cholesterol: 70mg
