Description
Polish comfort shines through this hearty cabbage roll casserole, blending traditional flavors with modern convenience. Layers of tender cabbage, seasoned ground meat, and rich tomato sauce create a satisfying meal that connects families around the dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound ground pork
Vegetables and Spices:
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small head green cabbage, chopped (about 6 cups)
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Tomato and Rice Base:
- 1 can (15 ounces / 425 grams) tomato sauce
- 1 can (14.5 ounces / 411 grams) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste (optional, for richer flavor)
- 2 cups cooked white rice
Optional Topping:
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to a moderate temperature and prepare a rectangular baking dish with a light coating of cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- In a spacious skillet, brown the ground beef alongside finely chopped onions, ensuring to eliminate any excess grease for a cleaner flavor profile.
- Incorporate minced garlic and aromatic seasonings into the meat mixture, creating a rich base of flavors.
- Pour in tomato products, blending tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and a touch of tomato paste to develop a robust, tangy sauce.
- Sprinkle paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper into the simmering mixture, allowing the spices to meld together for 5-7 minutes.
- Fold in the pre-cooked rice, stirring thoroughly to distribute evenly, then remove the skillet from heat.
- Create alternating layers in the prepared baking dish, starting with a generous spread of chopped cabbage, followed by an even distribution of the meat and rice combination.
- Repeat the layering process, ensuring complete coverage of cabbage and meat mixture.
- Securely cover the dish with aluminum foil, creating a tight seal to trap moisture and steam.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, allowing the cabbage to become tender and fully cooked.
- Remove the foil and optionally sprinkle shredded cheese across the top of the casserole.
- Return to the oven for an additional 10 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt and develop a golden, bubbly crust.
- Allow the casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving, which helps the layers set and makes portioning easier.
Notes
- Opt for lean ground beef to reduce overall fat content and create a healthier version of the casserole.
- Swap ground beef with plant-based alternatives like lentils or crumbled tofu for a vegetarian-friendly option.
- Use cauliflower rice instead of traditional rice to make the dish lower in carbohydrates and suitable for keto diets.
- If watching sodium intake, choose low-sodium tomato sauce and reduce added salt, using herbs and spices for extra flavor instead.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Eastern European
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg