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Savory Lazy Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Casserole Recipe with Ground Beef: Slow Cooker Option
Discover the ultimate comfort food with this Lazy Cabbage Roll Casserole. A convenient spin on traditional cabbage rolls, this is a recipe you'll love: it includes all the basic components you use to make stuffed cabbage.
Ground beef, cooked cabbage, zesty tomato sauce, garlic, spices, and melty cheese all combine to get the flavors you crave without all the work!
If you love cabbage rolls, you'll love this casserole!
Oh, and this recipe doesn't use rice of any kind, making this a low-carb cabbage roll casserole.

What Makes Cabbage Roll Casserole a Must-Try Dish?
Cabbage roll casserole combines the flavors of traditional stuffed cabbage rolls without the fuss. It's a hearty casserole that's easy to prepare and perfect for a comforting family meal.
This dish is not just delicious but also versatile, allowing for various ingredient substitutions and making it a great recipe for a weeknight dinner.
Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls: A Lazy Time-Saving Hack
For a lazy version, the unstuffed cabbage roll casserole is a great alternative. It delivers the same flavors as cabbage rolls but saves time and effort.
Mixing all ingredients and baking them offers a similar taste experience with less work. (And no, this doesn't mean you are lazy - it just means you work smarter, not harder!)
Slow Cooker Magic: Tips for a Perfect Cabbage Casserole
Using a slow cooker can transform the casserole-making experience. It allows the flavors to meld beautifully and the cabbage to become perfectly tender.
Mixing the ingredients as per the recipe and cooking on low heat ensures a delicious outcome.
How to Make Cabbage Roll Casserole in the Slow Cooker
Go ahead and follow steps 2-4 in the recipe card below, but instead of placing the meat and cabbage mixture in the oven, pour it all into a slow cooker and cook on low for 2-3 hours, or until the cabbage has cooked through and everything is hot and bubbly.
Making Cabbage Casserole
To start, preheat your oven to 375 degrees and ensure your 9x13 casserole dish is well-greased with nonstick cooking spray.
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and onion until the beef is browned and crumbled, then introduce the garlic and proceed to drain the beef before returning it to the skillet.
While the meat is browning, go ahead and chop cabbage.
Next, incorporate one can of tomato sauce along with your chosen dry seasonings, stirring and letting the mixture simmer for 2 to 3 minutes over medium-high heat.
In a spacious mixing bowl (this is my favorite), combine the ground beef sauce with the cabbage, ensuring the cabbage is thoroughly coated.
Transfer to your prepared baking dish and cover it with the remaining can of tomato sauce. Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes.
Remove the foil, generously sprinkle an even layer of cheese over the top, and return the casserole to the oven for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese has melted to perfection. Your mouthwatering cabbage roll casserole is now ready to be enjoyed!
What can I add to my Cabbage Hot Dish for variations?
Cabbage casserole is a versatile dish that can be customized to suit your tastes and preferences. Here are some ideas for variations and additional ingredients you can add:
Vegetable Additions:
- Bell Peppers: Sautéed or roasted bell peppers can add color and flavor.
- Mushrooms: Sliced mushrooms can provide an earthy, umami taste.
- Spinach: Wilted spinach can be stirred in for added greens.
- Tomatoes: Diced tomatoes can bring a fresh, juicy element.
Cheese Options:
- Parmesan: Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top for a nutty and salty kick.
- Feta: Crumbled feta cheese can offer a tangy Mediterranean touch.
Herbs and Seasonings:
- Red Pepper Flakes: For some heat and spice.
- Basil or Oregano: Add dried or fresh herbs for extra flavor.
- Paprika: A pinch of paprika can enhance the smokiness.
Sauces and Condiments:
- Marinara Sauce: Use marinara sauce instead of plain tomato sauce for added depth.
- Worcestershire Sauce: A dash can bring a savory, umami note.
- Hot Sauce: Spice it up with your favorite hot sauce.
Tips for the best Cabbage Casserole Recipe
Choosing the Right Cabbage
The choice of cabbage can impact the texture and flavor of your casserole. Green cabbage is classic, offering a sweet yet peppery flavor, while savoy cabbage adds a more delicate touch. Green cabbage is the easiest to find, which makes it a natural choice.
Purple cabbage could also be used, but will likely provide an awkward color when combined with the other ingredients.
The Perfect Ground Beef for Your Casserole
You really can use any type of ground meat for this dish. While the recipe below calls for simple ground beef, you can use ground pork, ground turkey, or ground chicken if you like.
You can also use lean ground beef, providing rich flavor without excess fat. Cooking the beef on medium heat until it's no longer pink is crucial for the best texture
The Role of Rice in Cabbage Casserole
Rice is a traditional ingredient in cabbage rolls, adding texture and substance to the dish. Long-grain rice is preferred for its ability to hold shape and not become mushy.
But since this is a low-carb hot dish, we are omitting the rice entirely, and the focus is on the savory meat mixture and cabbage.
Serving and Storing: Best Practices for Cabbage Roll Casserole
What to serve with Cabbage Roll Casserole
For storage, refrigerate in an airtight container. The casserole often tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop.
Serve the casserole hot, possibly with one of the side dishes below or just a simple salad.
Easy Cheesy Peas
Simple Wedge Salad
Cheesy Cauliflower Rice
Smoky Deviled Eggs
Serve the casserole hot, possibly with one of the side dishes below or just a simple salad.
For storage, refrigerate in an airtight container. The casserole often tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop.
Other low-carb cabbage recipes you may like to try:
Italian Cabbage Casserole
- This simple yet indulgent keto cabbage casserole melds together cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, savory ground beef, and an array of flavorful spices to create a delightful all-in-one meal.
Creamy Cajun Chicken & Cabbage
- Prepare yourself for a quick and delicious meal with this easy chicken and cabbage skillet that's ready in just 10 minutes! It's made with creamy ingredients like whipping cream and Parmesan cheese, giving it a delectable Alfredo-inspired flavor.
Cheesy Sausage & Cabbage Skillet
- A simple, one-skillet low-carb dish featuring cabbage and sausages. You'll be surprised by the cheesy taste, but it's completely dairy-free!
Pizza Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
- This delicious cabbage recipe is packed with the delicious flavors of pizza, offering a lower carb alternative without the need for any special ingredients.
Bacon Ranch Cabbage Steaks
- Have an extra large head of cabbage? Use ½ of the cabbage to make these succulent roasted cabbage steaks, garnished with ranch dressing and crispy bacon.
Low Carb Cabbage Roll Casserole
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 Pounds Ground Beef
- 1 Onion , diced
- 3 Cloves Garlic , minced
- 23 Ounces Tomato Sauce , 1 15oz can + 1 8oz can
- 1 Teaspoon Dried Thyme Leaves
- ½ Teaspoon Dried Dill
- ¼ Teaspoon Ground Sage
- ½ Teaspoon Salt
- ½ Teaspoon Black Pepper
- ¼ Teaspoon Ground Cayenne
- 1 Head Cabbage , cored and coarsely chopped
- 1 Cup Mozzarella Cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Prepare a 9x13 casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef with the onion, crumbling the beef as it cooks. When the beef is no longer pink, stir in the garlic. Drain the beef well and return to the skillet.
- Add the 15oz can of tomato sauce to the skillet with the dry seasonings. Stir and simmer over medium-high heat for 2 to 3 minutes.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef sauce and cabbage, stirring until the cabbage is coated in the sauce.
- Transfer the combination to the prepared baking dish. Top with the 8oz can of tomato sauce.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes.
- Remove the aluminum foil and sprinkle the cheese in an even layer.
- Return the casserole to the oven and continue baking for 10 minutes or until the cheese has melted.
Notes
- Use 8 ounces of beef broth to replace 8 ounces of the tomato sauce that you add to the skillet in step 3.
- Omit the onion and use 1 teaspoon onion powder instead
- Begin at step 2 and follow the instructions through step 4.
- Instead of placing the meat and cabbage mixture in a prepared pan, place it in your prepared slow cooker liner.
- Cook at low heat for 2-3 hours, or until the cabbage has cooked through.
- Remove the lid and sprinkle the cheese over the top, then put the lid back on until the cheese has melted.
Nutrition
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