Description
This hearty Cabbage Beef Bake combines ground beef, fresh cabbage, diced tomatoes, and cooked rice into a warm, comforting casserole topped with melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for a family dinner, this easy-to-make dish is baked to perfection with layers of flavor and tender textures in just over an hour.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cups cabbage, chopped
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ cup beef broth
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the casserole.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and to help with even cooking.
- Cook Beef and Onion: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and chopped onion together until the beef is browned and the onions are soft and translucent.
- Drain Fat: Carefully drain any excess fat from the skillet to reduce greasiness in the bake.
- Season Beef Mixture: Stir in garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to the cooked beef and onion mixture, mixing well to evenly distribute the flavors.
- Layer Cabbage: Place half of the chopped cabbage evenly in the bottom of the greased baking dish to create the first layer.
- Add Beef Mixture: Spread the seasoned ground beef and onion mixture evenly over the cabbage layer.
- Add Rice: Sprinkle the cooked rice evenly on top of the beef layer for added texture and substance.
- Pour Tomatoes: Distribute the undrained diced tomatoes over the rice layer, adding moisture and tangy flavor.
- Top with Cabbage: Layer the remaining chopped cabbage on top of the tomato layer to complete the stacking.
- Add Broth: Gently pour beef broth over the casserole layers to keep the bake moist during cooking.
- Cover and Bake: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes to allow flavors to meld and vegetables to soften.
- Remove Foil: Carefully take off the foil to prepare the dish for the final cheese topping.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top layer of the casserole.
- Bake Uncovered: Return the bake uncovered to the oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Cool Slightly: Remove from the oven and let the casserole cool briefly before serving to allow it to set.
- Serve and Enjoy: Dish out warm servings of this cheesy, hearty cabbage beef bake and enjoy its comforting flavors.
Notes
- You can substitute cooked rice with quinoa or cauliflower rice for a different texture or dietary preference.
- Use low-sodium beef broth to reduce sodium content if desired.
- For a spicier variation, add crushed red pepper flakes or diced jalapeño during the beef cooking step.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- This dish can be made ahead and refrigerated before baking; just add an extra 5-10 minutes to baking time if baking from cold.
