Cabbage Beef Bake Recipe

Introduction

Cabbage Beef Bake is a comforting and hearty dish that combines tender cabbage with savory ground beef and a creamy tomato sauce. This easy-to-make casserole is perfect for a family dinner and offers a delicious way to enjoy familiar ingredients in a warm, baked meal.

Ingredients

• 1 small cabbage (shredded)
• 1½ lbs ground beef (or turkey)
• 1 large onion (chopped)
• ½ cup red bell pepper (chopped)
• 1 15 oz can diced tomatoes, undrained
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp pepper
• ¼ tsp sugar
• 1 tsp caraway seeds (optional)
• 1 8 oz can tomato sauce
• 1 cup reduced-fat sour cream
• 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese (or preferred cheese)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Step 2: Spread the shredded cabbage evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
3. Step 3: In a skillet, brown the ground beef with the chopped onion and red bell pepper until fully cooked. Drain any excess fat.
4. Step 4: Stir in the diced tomatoes (with juice), salt, pepper, sugar, and caraway seeds if using. Mix well and cook briefly to combine flavors.
5. Step 5: Spoon the beef mixture evenly over the layer of cabbage in the baking dish.
6. Step 6: In a separate bowl, mix together the tomato sauce and sour cream until smooth, then spread this mixture over the beef layer.
7. Step 7: Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour.
8. Step 8: Remove the foil, sprinkle the shredded Swiss cheese on top, and bake uncovered for an additional 15 to 20 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
9. Step 9: Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle.

Tips & Variations

• Substitute ground turkey for beef to reduce fat content.
• Try adding chopped garlic or smoked paprika to the beef mixture for extra flavor.
• Use your favorite cheese like mozzarella or cheddar for a different taste.
• Add a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like a bit of heat.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through, or microwave in short intervals stirring occasionally. This dish does not freeze well due to the sour cream layer.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen cabbage instead of fresh?

Fresh cabbage is preferred for texture, but you can use thawed, drained frozen cabbage. Make sure to squeeze out excess moisture to avoid a soggy bake.

Is there a vegetarian version of this recipe?

Yes, you can replace ground beef with cooked lentils, mushrooms, or a plant-based ground meat substitute to create a vegetarian-friendly version.

Cabbage Beef Bake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 84 reviews

• Author: Ella
• Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Diet: Low Fat

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Description

A comforting and hearty cabbage beef bake featuring layers of shredded cabbage, seasoned ground beef with vegetables, and a creamy tomato sauce, topped with melted Swiss cheese. This casserole is baked to perfection, delivering a delicious, satisfying meal perfect for family dinners.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients

• 1 small cabbage, shredded
• 1½ lbs ground beef (or turkey)
• 1 large onion, chopped
• ½ cup red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 15 oz can diced tomatoes, undrained
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ¼ tsp sugar
• 1 tsp caraway seeds (optional)
• 1 8 oz can tomato sauce
• 1 cup reduced-fat sour cream
• 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese (or preferred cheese)

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Instructions

1. Preheat and prepare baking dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
2. Layer cabbage: Spread the shredded cabbage evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish, creating the base layer.
3. Brown beef mixture: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef along with chopped onion and red bell pepper until the beef is browned and vegetables are softened. Drain excess fat.
4. Add seasonings: Stir the diced tomatoes (with juice), salt, black pepper, sugar, and caraway seeds into the cooked beef mixture; combine well.
5. Assemble layers: Spoon the beef and tomato mixture evenly over the cabbage layer in the baking dish.
6. Mix sauce: In a separate bowl, mix the tomato sauce and reduced-fat sour cream until smooth, then spread this mixture over the beef layer.
7. Bake while covered: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour to let flavors meld and cook through.
8. Add cheese topping: Remove the foil and sprinkle the shredded Swiss cheese evenly over the top. Return to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 15 to 20 minutes until the cheese is melted and slightly golden.
9. Rest and serve: Let the cabbage beef bake rest for about 10 minutes before serving to allow it to set and cool slightly for better slicing and flavor.

Notes

• You can substitute ground turkey for ground beef for a leaner option.
• Caraway seeds add a subtle nutty flavor but can be omitted if unavailable or undesired.
• Use any preferred cheese variety if Swiss is not available, such as mozzarella or cheddar.
• This dish can be reheated well and makes excellent leftovers.
• Consider adding a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes if you prefer a little heat.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Category: Casserole
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: cabbage beef bake, casserole recipe, baked ground beef, healthy casserole, comfort food, layered casserole