Description
A hearty and comforting Cabbage Beef Bake featuring layers of seasoned ground beef, chopped cabbage, tomatoes, cooked rice, and melted cheddar cheese all baked to perfection in the oven. This casserole-style dish is easy to prepare and perfect for a satisfying family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Vegetables and Other Ingredients
- 3 cups cabbage, chopped
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare baking dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Cook the ground beef and onions: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef with the chopped onion until the beef is fully cooked. Drain excess fat to reduce greasiness.
- Season the beef mixture: Stir in the garlic powder, salt, and black pepper with the cooked beef and onions to evenly distribute the seasoning.
- Layer the cabbage: Place half of the chopped cabbage evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking dish to create the first layer.
- Add the beef and rice layers: Spread the seasoned beef mixture over the cabbage, then sprinkle the cooked rice evenly on top of the beef layer.
- Add tomatoes: Pour the undrained diced tomatoes over the rice layer, spreading them out evenly for balanced flavor and moisture.
- Top with remaining cabbage and broth: Layer the remaining cabbage over the tomatoes, then pour beef broth evenly over the entire dish to keep it moist during baking.
- Bake covered: Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes to blend the flavors and tenderize the cabbage.
- Add cheese and finish baking: Remove the foil and sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top. Return the bake to the oven uncovered and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can add some Worcestershire sauce or a dash of smoked paprika to the beef mixture.
- Using fresh cabbage is preferable, but frozen cabbage can be substituted if needed; just drain excess water well before layering.
- To make this recipe gluten-free, ensure the beef broth and seasoning do not contain gluten.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- You can substitute cooked quinoa or cauliflower rice for the cooked rice for a different texture or dietary preferences.
