What is unstuffed cabbage roll casserole made of?

It's made with ground beef, rice, cabbage, and a seasoned tomato sauce, layered in a baking dish instead of rolled into individual cabbage rolls.

Can I make unstuffed cabbage roll casserole ahead of time?

Yes. Assemble it up to a day ahead and refrigerate unbaked, or freeze it for up to 3 months before or after baking.

Do I need to cook the cabbage before layering it?

Yes, softening the cabbage for 6 to 8 minutes first prevents excess water from pooling in the casserole as it bakes.

Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Yes, ground turkey or a beef-and-turkey blend both work well and make for a leaner version of the dish.

Is this recipe halal?

Yes, as written. Unlike many traditional versions that mix beef with pork, this recipe uses beef on its own, so make sure to choose halal-certified ground beef for a fully compliant version.

Why is my casserole watery?

This usually means the cabbage wasn't pre-cooked enough, or the beef fat wasn't drained before layering. Both steps matter for keeping the texture right.

Can I freeze unstuffed cabbage roll casserole?

Yes, it freezes well for up to 3 months either before or after baking. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before cooking or reheating.

Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Casserole: Easy One-Pan Dinner

Name: Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Casserole (All the Flavor, None of the Rolling)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1½ lbs ground beef (halal-certified); 1 medium yellow onion, diced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 2 cups cooked white rice (day-old works best); 1 tsp smoked paprika; Salt and black pepper, to taste; 28 oz canned diced tomatoes, with juices; 8 oz tomato sauce; 2 tbsp tomato paste; 1 tbsp brown sugar; 1 tsp apple cider vinegar; 1 tsp dried dill or parsley; 1 medium head green cabbage, chopped (about 8 cups); 1 tbsp olive oil, for softening the cabbage

Description

All the cozy flavor of classic cabbage rolls, layered in one baking dish with no rolling required.

Ingredients

Scale

1½ lbs ground beef (halal-certified)
1 medium yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups cooked white rice (day-old works best)
1 tsp smoked paprika
Salt and black pepper, to taste
28 oz canned diced tomatoes, with juices
8 oz tomato sauce
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp dried dill or parsley
1 medium head green cabbage, chopped (about 8 cups)
1 tbsp olive oil, for softening the cabbage

Instructions

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, diced onion, and garlic. Cook until the beef is fully browned and no pink remains, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks.
Drain any excess fat. Stir in the cooked rice, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper into the beef mixture. Set aside.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, or use a skillet with the olive oil. Add the chopped cabbage and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, until tender but not mushy.
In a bowl, stir together the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and dill until combined.
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Spread half the softened cabbage across the bottom of the dish. Top with half the meat-and-rice mixture, then half the tomato sauce.
Repeat the layers once more, finishing with tomato sauce on top.
Cover tightly with foil and bake for 45 minutes, until bubbling and the cabbage is fully tender.
Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Make-ahead: Assemble up to 1 day in advance and refrigerate unbaked. Let sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before baking, adding 10 extra minutes to the bake time. Freezer: Freeze assembled (before or after baking) for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking or reheating. For a leaner version, swap half or all of the ground beef for ground turkey.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Oven
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 310
Sugar: 9g
Sodium: 520mg
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Carbohydrates: 26g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 21g

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