Description
Hearty Cabbage Beef Bake invites comfort with its rich layers of ground beef, tender cabbage, and melted cheese. Robust flavors and simple ingredients promise a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound ground pork
Vegetables:
- 1 medium head cabbage
- 1 large onion
- 1/2 cup chopped celery
- 1/2 cup chopped bell pepper
Seasonings and Binding Ingredients:
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Warm a large skillet over medium heat, drizzling olive oil to coat the bottom of the pan.
- Gently sauté chopped onions until translucent and softened, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 30-45 seconds, releasing its aromatic essence.
- Introduce ground beef to the skillet, crumbling with a wooden spoon and browning thoroughly until no pink remains.
- Season the meat mixture with salt, pepper, thyme, and oregano, creating a robust flavor profile.
- Pour in diced tomatoes with their juices and beef broth, allowing the mixture to simmer and meld flavors for 5 minutes.
- Optional: Sprinkle red pepper flakes for a subtle spicy undertone.
- In a separate bowl, massage shredded cabbage with olive oil and a pinch of salt to tenderize and enhance its natural taste.
- Prepare a 9×9-inch casserole dish by lightly greasing the surface.
- Create an even base layer of seasoned cabbage across the bottom of the dish.
- Carefully distribute the beef mixture over the cabbage, ensuring complete coverage.
- If desired, generously scatter shredded cheese across the top for a golden, melted finish.
- Slide the casserole into a preheated 375°F (190°C) oven and bake for 25-30 minutes.
- Verify doneness by checking cabbage tenderness and cheese’s bubbly, golden appearance.
- Allow the bake to rest for 3-5 minutes before serving, accompanying with a crisp salad or crusty bread.
Notes
- Drain ground beef thoroughly to prevent excess liquid from making the casserole soggy and ensure a rich, concentrated flavor.
- Choose fresh, crisp cabbage for the best texture and slice it uniformly to guarantee even cooking throughout the dish.
- Customize the spice level by adjusting red pepper flakes or adding smoked paprika for deeper flavor complexity without overwhelming heat.
- Make it low-carb friendly by substituting regular tomatoes with fire-roasted varieties and using full-fat cheese for added richness and protein.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 365
- Sugar: 5.2 g
- Sodium: 460 mg
- Fat: 23.8 g
- Saturated Fat: 8.4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14.8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 13.8 g
- Fiber: 3.1 g
- Protein: 25.7 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg