Unstuffed Lazy Cabbage Roll Casserole Recipe
This lazy cabbage roll casserole features layers of shredded cabbage, seasoned ground beef and rice in a casserole dish, simply mixed together with classic cabbage roll seasonings, tomato sauce, and baked until everything is soft and juicy. The lazy man cabbage roll casserole recipe come together quickly and stores well for days! It's comfort food simplified!
Servings 6 (Total~12–14 cups)
Calories 315kcal
Ingredients
- 775 g shredded cabbage ~ 27 ounces
- 1 lb ground beef or turkey or a mix of both
- 1 cup Jasmine rice 7 ounces (uncooked)
- 1 can tomato sauce 15 oz or crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 cup water or stock
- 2 large onions chopped
- 2 medium carrots chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tbsp oil or ghee for sauteeing
Seasonings
- ½ tsp black pepper ground
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 bay leaf
- 1½ tsp sea salt or adjust to your taste
Instructions
Prepare The Rice
- Rince the rice (1 cup) and cook covered with water (about 1½ cup) until it comes to a boil, then remove from heat and rinse with cold water through a colander. Set aside. The partially cooked rice will ensure it softens adequately during oven baking.
Stove Top Cooking
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Then continue by cooking in a deep pan (on medium heat) the chopped onion (2 large), garlic (4 cloves) and 2 medium carrots until soft.
- Then add ground beef (1 lb) along with seasonings: black pepper, papprika and salt. Just until no longer red.
- Then add the partially cooked rice, tomato sauce (15 oz) and (2 tbsp) ketchup (for a more intense flavor) - all in the same skillet. Mix to combine and remove the pan from heat.
Assemble The Casserole And Bake In The Oven
- Next, layer 1/3 of the shredded cabbage at the bottom of a casserole dish ( I used a 9×13 inch), followed by 1/3 of the ground beef and rice mixture.
- Repeat layering with remaining cabbage, beef mixture, and finish with cabbage layer on top.
- Pour the water (or stock) uniformly over the prepared casserole, cover and bake for 45 minutes at 375 degrees F. Remove the foil, give it a mix and bake the casserole an additional 15 minutes to brown the top.
- At this time you can shred some cheese if you like. But it’s still delicious without cheese.The total cook time is about 1 hour. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and dill. Dinner is served!
Notes
- If using uncooked white rice: bake longer (+ 10 min), and more liquid +½–1 cup; stir once mid-bake.
- Low carb: If using cauliflower rice: fold in for last 10–12 min of bake.
- Brown rice: pre-cook 15 minutes first (or use fully cooked).
- Make-ahead: assemble, cover, refrigerate 24 h; add ~5–10 min to bake time.
- Freezer: cool fully; freeze flat in bags or in a pan; reheat covered at 350°F.
- Servings (as a main): 6–8 people (about 1½–2 cups per serving)
- Servings (as a side): 10–12 people (about 1–1¼ cups per serving)
Nutrition
Serving: 2cups | Calories: 315kcal
