Cabbage Roll Casserole with Ground Beef and Rice

This cabbage roll casserole is an easy, one-pan dinner with ground beef, cabbage, and rice, ready in just 55 minutes. It gives you all the cozy taste of classic cabbage rolls without the rolling and fuss.

In Romania, we call this "sarmale sparte" - or "broken cabbage rolls" - a quick, comforting version of the traditional dish perfect for busy weeknights. Serve it with a dollop of Greek yogurt or sour cream and some spicy pickled peppers for a little extra kick.

💗 Why You'll Love This Recipe

• One-pan meal: less cleanup, more convenience.
• Weeknight-friendly: simple prep and easy to plan.
• Hearty and filling: cabbage, beef, and rice in every bite.
• Easy to customize: top with cheese, sour cream, or pickled peppers.

🥘 Ingredients

*See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

• Cabbage: Use a firm, fresh green cabbage. Peel off any outer leaves that look wilted or tough. Chop it into roughly 1-inch pieces - they don't need to be perfect, but try to keep them similar in size so everything cooks at the same time. A quick time-saver: grab a bag of pre-shredded coleslaw mix from the store instead of cutting your own.
• Ground Beef: Go for 95% lean ground beef for the best results. It gives you great taste without making the casserole too greasy. Ground pork works just as well if that's what you have on hand. If you use an 80/20 blend, just drain the extra fat after browning.
• Rice: Use regular long-grain or round white rice here. It soaks up all that brothy, tomatoey goodness while it cooks. Do not use instant rice - it will turn mushy and fall apart.
• Stock: Beef stock pairs beautifully with the ground beef, but vegetable stock works great, too.

♻️ Substitutes & Variations

• Protein Options: This cabbage roll casserole recipe is easily adapted for ground pork, turkey, beef or even a chicken cabbage roll casserole for a leaner meal. If you're looking for meat-free meals, I also share plenty of easy vegan recipes for beginners on the site.
• Hungarian Style: To make a Hungarian cabbage roll casserole, add extra smoked paprika and a splash of vinegar to the sauce for that signature tang.
• Sauerkraut Twist: If you love a sour kick, try making a cabbage roll casserole with sauerkraut by replacing half of the fresh cabbage with rinsed sauerkraut.
• Grain Alternatives: If you do not want to use white rice, brown rice, or quinoa works great too. For those looking for low-carb rice substitutes, cauliflower rice is a perfect way to keep that "unstuffed" texture while keeping the meal light.
• Vegetable Swaps: Add bell peppers, mushrooms or celery along with the carrots for more crunch. If you have extra cabbage, you can also try making an easy cabbage and eggs recipe for a quick breakfast the next morning.
• Spice It Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes if you want a little heat in your bowl.

👩‍🍳 How To Make Lazy Cabbage Beef Casserole

Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics: I start by preheating the oven and heating a bit of oil in a large skillet. You'll want to cook your chopped onion and diced carrot here until they soften and turn a nice golden color.

Step 2: Brown the Protein: Next, you'll add the ground meat, garlic, and spices. I make sure to break the meat into small pieces while it browns so the spices get into every bite.

Step 3: Prepare the Cabbage: While the meat is on the stove, you can prep the cabbage. I usually remove the core and any tough outer leaves before chopping the rest into bite-sized pieces.

Step 4: Soften the Cabbage: I add the cabbage and half of the stock to the pan at this stage. You should cover it and simmer for a few minutes; this helps the cabbage wilt down, making it easier to stir.

Step 5: Season and Add Rice: Now, you can stir in the tomatoes and washed rice. I recommend seasoning well with salt and pepper now. The rice cooks right in the sauce and absorbs the liquid as it bakes.

Step 6: Bake the Dish: Put the lid on and slide your pan into the oven. I leave it for about 30 minutes, but if you like a bit of a charred texture on top, you can take the lid off and use the grill setting for the last few minutes.

Step 7: Keep the lid on until you're ready to serve to hold in the heat and moisture. Finish with a sprinkle of freshly chopped dill or parsley for a fresh touch. Add melted mozzarella or cheddar on top (add in the last 5 minutes of baking). A quick broil for 1-3 minutes to brown the cheese.

*See the recipe card for detailed instructions. 

💭 Expert Tips

• Sauté vegetables first for a deeper aroma and flavor.
• Simmer the cabbage with stock to prevent it from drying out in the oven.
• Wash rice before adding to remove excess starch and avoid clumping.
• Cover the skillet while baking to trap moisture, then uncover at the end for a golden top.

🥗 Serving Suggestions

• Serve with a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt, a simple green salad with vinaigrette, or homemade crusty house bread.
• For a classic Eastern European touch, try freshly made Romanian polenta with spicy pickled peppers.
• Other easy sides include roasted seasonal vegetables, creamy mashed potatoes, warm garlic bread, or an easy potato soup recipe.

Leftover Ideas:
• Turn leftover casserole into a breakfast hash - top with a fried egg.
• Stir the meat and rice filling into an omelet or scramble for a protein‑packed breakfast.
• Add extra broth and reheat as a quick soup on chilly days.

❓ Lazy Cabbage Roll Casserole FAQs 

More Cabbage Recipes You'll Love

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📖 Recipe

Lazy Cabbage Roll Casserole (with Ground Beef and Rice)

Claudia Ciorteanu

One-pan cabbage roll casserole with ground beef, rice, and cabbage - hearty, cozy, and done in 55 minutes.

5 from 14 votes

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Calories 399 kcal

Video

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• ▢ 2 teaspoons olive oil (10 ml)
• ▢ 1 pound lean ground beef 95% (450 g)
• ▢ 1 large onion finely chopped (150 g)
• ▢ 1 large carrot diced
• ▢ 1 tablespoon garlic finely minced from 5 cloves (15 g)
• ▢ ½ teaspoon dried thyme 1 g
• ▢ 1 teaspoon sweet smoked paprika 2 g
• ▢ 1 medium green cabbage coarsely chopped (800 g)
• ▢ 1 can diced tomatoes 14.5 oz / 410 g
• ▢ 1 litre stock vegetable or beef
• ▢ 1 cup uncooked rice 200 g
• ▢ Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil, chopped onion, and diced carrot. Cook until the onion is translucent and lightly browned, about 3-5 minutes.
  2 teaspoons olive oil, 1 large onion, 1 large carrot
• Add the ground beef meat to the pan with the minced garlic, dried thyme, and smoked paprika. Cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks, about 5-10 minutes.
  1 pound lean ground beef, 1 tablespoon garlic, ½ teaspoon dried thyme, 1 teaspoon sweet smoked paprika
• While the meat mixture simmers, cut the cabbage in half, remove the core and any wilted outer leaves, and chop into roughly 1-inch (2.5 cm) pieces.
• Add the cabbage to the pan with half of the stock (500 ml). Cover and simmer for 5 minutes.
  1 medium green cabbage, 1 litre stock
• Stir in the diced tomatoes and washed rice. Season with salt and pepper. Simmer for another 5 minutes.
  1 can diced tomatoes, 1 cup uncooked rice, Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Transfer the pan to the preheated oven with the lid on and cook for 30 minutes. For a slightly charred top, remove the lid in the last 3 minutes and switch to the grilling setting if available.
• Serve hot with Greek yogurt or sour cream, freshly made polenta(mamaliga), and some spicy pickled peppers. One-pan, hearty, and full of flavor!

Notes

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Freezes well for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat with a splash of broth.
• For a slow cooker version, brown the meat first in a skillet, then cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. Stir in the rice during the last hour.
• Swap ground beef for ground turkey or ground pork if you prefer.
• Add shredded cheddar or mozzarella on top during the last 5 minutes of baking for a melty finish.
• For a low-carb version, skip the rice and add an extra cup of chopped cabbage.

Nutrition

Calories: 399kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 18gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 54mgSodium: 750mgPotassium: 727mgFiber: 6gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 2759IUVitamin C: 65mgCalcium: 115mgIron: 3mg

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