Description
Comforting midwestern cabbage casserole brings hearty warmth to family dinner tables with its savory blend of ground beef, tender cabbage, and creamy sauce. Rich layers of flavor meld perfectly, inviting you to savor each delicious, homestyle bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound ground turkey
Vegetables:
- 1 small head of cabbage (about 6 cups), chopped
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce and Seasonings:
- 1 14.5 ounces can diced tomatoes
- 1 6 ounces can tomato paste
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Cheese Topping:
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Optional Add-in:
- 1 cup cooked rice
Instructions
- Prepare a steaming hot water bath in a large pot, generously seasoned with salt. Immerse the finely chopped cabbage, allowing it to soften for approximately 5 minutes. Carefully drain and set aside the tender cabbage leaves.
- Select a robust skillet and place it over medium flame. Introduce ground beef, diced onions, and minced garlic, orchestrating their culinary dance until the meat achieves a rich golden-brown hue and onions become translucent. Eliminate any lingering excess fat.
- Enhance the skillet’s contents with diced tomatoes, concentrated tomato paste, savory broth, aromatic paprika, delicate thyme, and a harmonious blend of salt and pepper. Gently incorporate cooked rice if using, letting the mixture simmer and meld flavors for 5 minutes.
- Orchestrate the casserole’s architecture by creating alternating layers in a prepared baking vessel. Distribute half the cabbage as the foundational layer, followed by a generous portion of the meat and tomato mixture. Repeat the layering process, ensuring even coverage.
- Crown the casserole with a luxurious blanket of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, spreading them evenly across the surface to create a tantalizing golden topping.
- Encase the dish in aluminum foil, then slide into a preheated oven calibrated to 375°F (190°C). Allow the casserole to bake for 20 minutes, then unveil by removing the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese transforms into a bubbling, molten masterpiece.
- Once removed from the oven, permit the casserole a brief moment of repose for 5-10 minutes. If desired, scatter freshly chopped parsley across the top for a vibrant finishing touch before serving.
Notes
- Choose lean ground beef to reduce overall fat content and create a healthier version of the casserole.
- For a gluten-free option, ensure all ingredients like broth and tomato paste are certified gluten-free.
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based meat alternatives for lighter protein options that maintain the dish’s hearty texture.
- Consider adding extra vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini to boost nutritional value and create more complex flavor profiles.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg