Cabbage Roll Casserole
You've probably heard of 'lazy-man cabbage rolls' and this is exactly it! When you're not feeling the energy to roll all those cabbage leaves up, try this instead. All the same flavors, but way less work. Plus, if you make a big batch, you can freeze a few pans for those busy nights, you just don't want to cook.
Equipment
- knife (and cutting board)
- Large frying pan
- Rice cooker (or medium pot)
- Medium pot
- 2 Mixing Bowls
- 9x13 pan (or if cooking for 1-2 people, use 3-4 loaf pans instead!)
Ingredients
Cabbage Layer
- 1 Head of cabbage, shredded (small to medium sized)
- 1 Tbsp Oil (canola, sunflower, etc.)
- 2 Tbsp Vinegar (white, or apple cider)
- Salt & Pepper to taste
- 1 Tbsp Balsamic Vinegar (optional)
Meat & Rice Layer
- 1 lb Ground meat (beef, wild game, turkey, etc.)
- 1 Onion, diced
- 3 Cups Rice
- 2 tsp Oregano
- 2 tsp Garlic Powder
- Salt & Pepper to taste
Sauce Layer
- 1 can Tomato soup
- 2 cans Tomato sauce (no salt added)
Instructions
- Start rice cooking, either on the stove-top or in a rice cooker.
- While rice is cooking, heat large frying pan and add remaining ingredients for the 'Meat and Rice Layer', cooking the meat thoroughly on low-medium heat, stirring occasionally. Turn off heat once cooked.
- While the meat and the rice are cooking, shred cabbage.
- Sautee cabbage in a medium pot/sauce pan, with remaining ingredients in the 'Cabbage' layer. Stir occasionally so that cabbage cooks evenly. Don't worry about cooking all the way through, just heat to soften the cabbage. It will finish cooking in the oven.
- Mix the tomato sauce and soup in a mixing bowl and stir well to combine.
- Once the rice and meat are cooked, mix together in a bowl to combine.
- In your baking dish (or loaf pan if you're cooking for one or two), start with the meat layer, about 1-2 inches thick, pressing down slightly. Then add a layer of cabbage, then tomato sauce. Repeat until all ingredients are used. Top off with a layer of tomato sauce and, if you wish, sprinkle with some pepper & oregano.
- Bake in 350 degree F oven for about 30 minutes. If you wish, make in large batch and freeze extras for quick & easy freezer meals on busy week-nights!