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A cozy and comforting meal made with a few simple ingredients! This foolproof, time-saving recipe delivers all the flavor of traditional cabbage rolls without the extra work.
This lazy cabbage roll casserole has become a lifesaver on busy weeknights. It combines all the hearty, comforting flavors of classic cabbage rolls but skips the rolling and stuffing. My kids love how cheesy and flavorful it is, and I love how quick and easy it is to prepare!
How to makeCabbage Roll Casserole
Ingredients:
- olive oil (vegetable oil can be used)
- ground beef (or a combination of ground pork and beef)
- sea salt
- ground black pepper
- garlic powder (or fresh garlic)
- smoked paprika
- oregano
- red pepper flakes (or to taste)
- medium bell peppers (diced)
- cooked rice
- chopped cabbage (about 450–500 g)
- marinara sauce (tomato sauce or any red pasta sauce from a jar could work)
- shredded mozzarella cheese (optional), Gouda or cheddar will work
- Fresh parsley or any other fresh herbs(for garnishing)
Instructions:
1. Cook the ground beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until halfway done, breaking it apart. Add diced bell peppers, dried garlic, smoked paprika, oregano, sea salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook until the beef is fully cooked and the peppers are soft (8–10 minutes).
2. Cook rice and chop cabbage: Cook the rice and chop the cabbage while the beef is browning.
3. Prepare the baking dish: In a 9×13 in (23×33 cm) baking dish, mix the cooked rice and chopped cabbage.
4. Add the beef: Transfer the cooked beef mixture to the baking dish on top of the rice and cabbage.
5. Add the sauce: Pour marinara sauce over the mixture in the baking dish. Stir everything together until evenly combined and smooth out the top.
6. First bake: Cover the dish with foil and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (180°C) for 30 minutes.
7. Add cheese and second bake: Remove the foil, sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese (if using) on top, and return to the oven. Bake for another 10–15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and golden brown.
8. Serve: Let the casserole cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.
Recipe Tips
Cut cabbage into larger strips, so its texture is preserved.
Store any leftovers in an air-tight contained in the fridge for up to 5 days. Freeze for up to 2 months. Defrost in the fridge, then reheat in the oven, on the stove top or in the microwave. Add some water to the dish before reheating, so it doesn’t dry out too much.
Make ahead lazy cabbage roll casserole: This casserole could be made ahead (1 day in advance) and assembled than baked. You can also prepare all ingredients and assemble the dish prior to baking it.
Substitutions: You can use brown rice to add more fiber to the dish or Switch mozzarella for cheddar if you prefer. Any ground meat works in the recipe, but I usually use ground beef. For best results use green cabbage, but Savoy or red cabbage could be substituted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I swap the ground beef for other ground meat? Yes, ground chicken, turkey, pork or mix of ground beef and pork can be used.
Can I add any other seasonings to the casserole? You can add any seasonings of your choice like thyme, cumin or any other fresh or frozen herbs. For a Mediterranean twist, try basil and thyme.
There is some liquid at the bottom of the baking dish, is this normal? This casserole is baked in the oven covered, so there might be some cooking liquid left. You can leave it or tilt the dish carefully over the sink to drain the juice.
Can I use red (purple) cabbage? While, if you don’t have any white cabbage, you can use purple, this cabbage is not my #1 choice is casseroles or soups. It is going to leach color to the whole dish and make it look weird.
More Cabbage Recipes
- Cabbage and Rice – A simple and satisfying side dish that pairs beautifully with grilled meats.
- Keto Cabbage Soup– A low-carb, hearty soup perfect for chilly days.
- Cabbage Casserole – another cabbage recipe, but without any meat and rice.
Did you make this Quick and Easy Cabbage Roll Casserole?
We’d love to hear how it turned out! Share your tips, substitutions, or any creative twists you made in the comments below. Don’t forget to tag us on social media @cookinglsl if you share a photo—nothing makes us happier than seeing your delicious creations!
Lazy Cabbage Roll Casserole Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 1/2 lbs ground beef
- 1 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, or to taste
- 2 medium bell peppers, diced
- 4 cups cooked rice
- 6 cups chopped cabbage, about 450–500 g
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, optional
- Fresh parsley, for serving
Instructions
- Cook the ground beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until halfway done, breaking it apart. Add diced bell peppers, dried garlic, smoked paprika, oregano, sea salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook until the beef is fully cooked and the peppers are soft (8–10 minutes).
- Prepare the baking dish: In a 9×13 in (23×33 cm) baking dish, mix the cooked rice and chopped cabbage.
- Add the beef: Transfer the cooked beef mixture to the baking dish on top of the rice and cabbage.
- Add the sauce: Pour marinara sauce over the mixture in the baking dish. Stir everything together until evenly combined and smooth out the top.
- First bake: Cover the dish with foil and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (180°C) for 30 minutes.
- Add cheese and second bake: Remove the foil, sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese (if using) on top, and return to the oven. Bake for another 10–15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and golden brown.
- Serve: Let the casserole cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.
