Cabbage Roll Casserole

This Cabbage Roll Casserole is a hearty and comforting dish that transforms the classic flavors of stuffed cabbage rolls into an easy, layered casserole. It’s perfect for a cozy family dinner, combining seasoned ground beef, tender cabbage, cooked rice, and crispy bacon, all topped with melted mozzarella cheese. The result is a savory, satisfying meal that’s sure to please.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs ground beef
• 1 white onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 (24 oz) jars marinara sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon dried dill
• 1/2 teaspoon dried sage
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2 cups cooked white rice
• 4 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
• 1 medium head (2 lbs) cabbage, shredded
• 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, grated

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven:

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.

1. Cook Beef Mixture:

• In a large skillet, cook the ground beef and chopped onion over medium heat until the meat is browned and the onion is soft. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.

1. Add Seasonings:

• Drain any excess grease from the skillet. Stir in one jar of marinara sauce, along with the thyme, dill, sage, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in the crumbled bacon and cooked rice. Remove from heat.

1. Layer Casserole:

• Line the greased baking dish with a third of the shredded cabbage. Evenly spread half of the meat and rice mixture over the cabbage layer. Repeat with another third of the cabbage and the remaining meat mixture. Top with the final third of the cabbage.

1. Add Sauce:

• Pour the second jar of marinara sauce evenly over the top layer of cabbage. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil.

1. Bake:

• Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. Remove the foil, sprinkle the grated mozzarella cheese over the top, and return to the oven. Bake for an additional 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and melted.

1. Serve:

• Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your delicious, hearty cabbage roll casserole!

Tips:

• Make-Ahead: You can assemble the casserole a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Just increase the baking time by 10-15 minutes if baking straight from the fridge.
• Variations: For a different flavor, try using Italian sausage instead of ground beef or add a layer of sauerkraut for extra tang.
• Cheese: Feel free to experiment with different cheeses. Cheddar or provolone can be great substitutes for mozzarella.
• Vegetarian Option: To make this dish vegetarian, substitute the ground beef with lentils or a plant-based ground meat alternative.

This Cabbage Roll Casserole brings together all the comforting flavors of traditional cabbage rolls in a simplified, easy-to-make format that’s perfect for any weeknight dinner.