Cabbage Beef Casserole: A Simple and Satisfying (and Healthy!) Comfort Food
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n the world of comforting and hearty meals, a Cabbage Beef Casserole takes center stage. This dish is a fusion of tender cabbage leaves, flavorful ground beef, and a savory tomato sauce, all layered together to create a delightful culinary experience. It's a perfect way to incorporate more vegetables into your diet while indulging in a delicious, homey, healthy and most importantly, easy to make dish. Let's dive into this easy-to-follow recipe for a Cabbage Beef Casserole that's bound to become a favorite.
Ingredients
Here's What You Need
– 1 CABBAGE (A HALF OF A LARGE CABBAGE CAN ALSO WORK)
– 1 CUP TOMATO SAUCE
– 1 POUND GROUND BEEF
– SALT AND PEPPER TO TASTE
– 1 CUP COOKED RICE
– 2 CLOVES MINCED GARLIC
– 1 CUP THINLY CHOPPED CARROTS
– CHOPPED MUSHROOMS (OPTIONAL)
– COOKING OIL FOR GREASING
Instructions
Let's Get Right Into It!
1. PREPARE THE CABBAGE:
BEGIN BY CAREFULLY REMOVING and separating THE fresh CABBAGE LEAVES.
2. PREHEAT THE OVEN:
PREHEAT YOUR OVEN TO 375°F (190°C).
3. LAYER THE BAKING DISH:
GREASE A BAKING DISH WITH COOKING OIL. NOW, IT’S TIME TO START LAYERING. TAKE the separated CABBAGE LEAVES AND ARRANGE THEM AT THE BOTTOM OF THE BAKING DISH. ENSURE THEY FORM A THICK, EVEN LAYER. They may resist a little and tear a little but that’s ok.
4. PREPARE THE BEEF FILLING:
IN A LARGE BOWL, MIX TOGETHER THE GROUND BEEF, COOKED RICE, MINCED GARLIC, CHOPPED CARROTS, marinera sauce, AND MUSHROOMS (IF USING). SEASON THE MIXTURE GENEROUSLY WITH SALT AND PEPPER TO TASTE.
5. LAYER THE FILLING:
SPOON A PORTION OF THE BEEF MIXTURE ONTO THE CABBAGE LEAVES IN THE BAKING DISH. SPREAD IT EVENLY TO CREATE A SMOOTH LAYER.
6. REPEAT THE LAYERS:
ADD ANOTHER LAYER OF BLANCHED CABBAGE LEAVES ON TOP OF THE BEEF MIXTURE. CONTINUE LAYERING BY ADDING MORE OF THE BEEF MIXTURE, FOLLOWED BY CABBAGE LEAVES, UNTIL YOU’VE USED UP ALL THE INGREDIENTS. AIM FOR A NICE, SMOOTH TOP LAYER OF CABBAGE.
7. POUR THE TOMATO SAUCE:
POUR a little bit of THE marinera SAUCE EVENLY OVER THE TOP LAYER OF CABBAGE. THIS WILL INFUSE THE CASSEROLE WITH A RICH, TOMATOEY FLAVOR.
8. BAKE TO PERFECTION:
COVER THE BAKING DISH WITH ALUMINUM FOIL TO KEEP THE MOISTURE IN AND PREVENT THE TOP FROM BURNING. PLACE IT IN THE PREHEATED OVEN AND BAKE FOR ABOUT 40-60 MINUTES OR UNTIL THE CABBAGE IS TENDER AND THE FLAVORS HAVE MELDED TOGETHER.
9. SERVE AND ENJOY:
ONCE THE CASSEROLE IS DONE, REMOVE IT FROM THE OVEN AND LET IT COOL SLIGHTLY BEFORE SERVING. CUT INTO SQUARES OR SCOOP OUT SERVINGS (This could get messy – so just know you’ve been warned), AND SAVOR THE DELIGHTFUL BLEND OF FLAVORS AND TEXTURES.
