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Cozy Crockpot Cabbage Roll Casserole

cozy crockpot cabbage roll casserole - featured image
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A comforting and easy crockpot casserole that captures all the flavors of traditional cabbage rolls without the fuss of rolling. Perfect for busy family dinners with minimal hands-on time.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20 preferred)
  • 1 medium head green cabbage (about 2–3 lbs), roughly chopped
  • 1 cup cooked white rice
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 14 oz canned diced tomatoes (no added salt preferred)
  • 15 oz tomato sauce
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Optional: red pepper flakes for heat
  • Optional: fresh parsley or dill, chopped for garnish

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add ground beef and cook until mostly browned but still slightly pink, about 6-8 minutes.
  2. Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook until onion is translucent and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Drain excess fat.
  3. Transfer beef mixture to a large bowl. Add cooked rice, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, dried thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
  4. Roughly chop cabbage into bite-sized pieces (about 1 inch).
  5. Layer the casserole in the crockpot: spoon a thin layer of tomato sauce and diced tomatoes on the bottom to prevent sticking. Add half the cabbage, then half the beef and rice mixture. Repeat layers with remaining cabbage and beef mixture.
  6. Pour beef broth over the top and drizzle remaining tomato sauce on top.
  7. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours until cabbage is tender but not mushy. Alternatively, cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours (texture will be less silky).
  8. Before serving, taste and adjust salt and pepper. Stir gently to combine layers slightly. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or dill if desired.
  9. If casserole is too liquidy, remove lid and cook on HIGH for an additional 15-30 minutes to reduce moisture.

Notes

Brown the beef and sauté onions and garlic to add rich flavor. Use cooked rice to avoid uneven texture. Chop cabbage into bite-sized pieces to prevent mushiness. Layer tomato sauce at the bottom to prevent sticking. Monitor cooking time to avoid overcooking cabbage. If too watery, cook uncovered on HIGH for 15-30 minutes to thicken.

Nutrition

Keywords: crockpot, cabbage roll casserole, comfort food, slow cooker, easy dinner, family meal, ground beef, cabbage, casserole

Find it online: https://evabake.com/cozy-crockpot-cabbage-roll-casserole-recipe-easy-perfect-family-dinner/