Cheesy Cabbage Casseole Recipe

This hearty cabbage casserole takes me back to cozy dinners with family, combining the rich flavors of browned beef, savory tomatoes, and layers of melty cheddar and mozzarella cheese. It’s a satisfying dish that warms the soul and fills the kitchen with the comforting aroma of home-cooked goodness.

My Cheesy Cabbage Casserole is a comforting dish packed with nutritious ingredients. I love how the base is a healthy, crunchy chopped cabbage, and ground beef and onions make it hearty.

Plenty of minced garlic and Italian seasoning give a bold flavor. And it’s topped with cheesy goodness, the kind of cheesy goodness that actually makes me want to eat more veggies.

Cheesy Cabbage Casseole Recipe Ingredients

• Cabbage: Low in calories, high in fiber, rich in vitamins K and C for immune support.
• Ground Beef: Great source of protein and iron, adds hearty flavor and satisfying texture.
• Cheddar Cheese: Rich in calcium, provides a creamy, tangy taste and smooth consistency.
• Onion: Adds aromatic flavor and natural sweetness; contains antioxidants.
• Garlic: Enhances dish with bold flavor, known for antibacterial properties.
• Diced Tomatoes: Provides lycopene, antioxidants and a juicy, slightly tangy base.

Cheesy Cabbage Casseole Recipe Ingredient Quantities

• 1 medium head of cabbage, chopped
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes
• 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

How to Make this Cheesy Cabbage Casseole Recipe

1. Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to heat up.

2. In a big frying pan over medium heat, pour the olive oil. When it is hot, throw in the diced onion and minced garlic. Stir and cook until they are translucent, about 3-4 minutes.

3. Place the ground beef in a skillet. Cook it, stirring now and then, until it’s browned and completely done. If there’s a lot of fat left, drain it off.

4. Incorporate the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Allow the mixture to simmer for about 5 minutes so that the flavors can meld.

5. At the same time, put a big pot of water on to boil. Add the cut cabbage and cook for 5 minutes, then drain well.

6. In a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, the bottom half of which is cooked cabbage, layer the other half of the cooked cabbage.

7. Spoon half of the mixture of meat and over the layer of cabbage in the baking dish. Sprinkle half of the cheese cheddar over the meat mixture.

8. Continue layering with the leftover cabbage and the meat-cheese mixture. Finish layering with the last of the cheddar cheese. Repeat with the other half of the ingredients.

9. Spread the mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.

10. In the preheated oven, place the baking dish covered with aluminum foil. Let it bake for 20 minutes. After that, remove the foil and let the dish continue to bake for another 10 to 15 minutes. You want to let it bake until the cheese has reached the perfect moment of doneness: golden, bubbly, and almost toasty all the way through. Let cool for a few moments before serving.

Cheesy Cabbage Casseole Recipe Equipment Needed

1. Oven
2. Large frying pan
3. Wooden spoon or spatula
4. Large pot
5. Colander or strainer
6. 9×13 inch baking dish
7. Aluminum foil
8. Cutting board
9. Knife
10. Measuring spoons
11. Cheese grater (if not using pre-shredded cheese)

FAQ

• Can I use a different type of meat instead of ground beef?Substituting ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option works well, or even using a plant-based ground meat alternative, makes this a good recipe for a vegetarian version.
• Can this dish be made ahead of time?Certainly! You can put the casserole together a day ahead of time and then bake it when you want to serve it. Just store it in the refrigerator until you need it.
• What kind of cabbage works best for this recipe?This recipe calls for green cabbage. You can also use Savoy cabbage, which has a slightly different texture and flavor.
• How do I store leftovers?Keep any remaining casserole in an air-tight container in the fridge for no longer than 3 days. Baked in an oven at 350 degrees (F) or 175 degrees (C), the casserole should seem warm all the way through before you serve it. It might take 2 hours.
• Can I add other vegetables to the casserole?Yes, you can add any number of vegetables, such as bell peppers, carrots, or zucchini, for even more nutrition and better flavor.
• Is it possible to make this casserole spicy?For sure! Toss in some red pepper flakes or some chopped-up jalapeños to the mix to really heat things up as much as you like.
• Can I use a different type of cheese?Certainly, any melty cheese you favor can be used, such as Monterey Jack, Colby, or even a spicy pepper jack, for an extra flavor boost.

Cheesy Cabbage Casseole Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Ground beef: Use ground turkey or ground chicken for a lighter alternative.
Diced tomatoes: Use tomatoes that are fresh and diced, or if you prefer, use canned, crushed tomatoes.
Monterey Jack or Colby cheese: If you want flavor swapped in for Cheddar cheese, try these instead.
Mozzarella cheese: Change to provolone or fontina cheese to transform the texture.
Dried oregano and basil make a good substitute for Italian seasoning. If you don’t have Italian seasoning on hand, use that combination instead.

Pro Tips

1. Caramelize the Onions For extra flavor, cook the onions longer at a lower temperature to caramelize them before adding the garlic and ground beef. This step will enhance the depth of flavor in the entire dish.

2. Season the Cabbage After boiling and draining the cabbage, toss it with a little bit of olive oil, salt, and pepper before layering it into the baking dish. This will add an extra layer of seasoning to the dish.

3. Use Ground Beef with a Little Fat Choose ground beef that is 80/20 or 85/15 fat content. While it’s important to drain excess fat after browning, a small amount of fat will contribute flavor to the dish.

4. Add Heat with Spices For a little kick, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the meat mixture. This will give the casserole an extra layer of spicy flavor without overpowering it.

5. Customize with Additional Veggies Add some finely chopped bell peppers or mushrooms to the onion and garlic step for extra nutrition and flavor complexity. These veggies will blend well with the existing ingredients and can make the dish more robust.