Get ready to discover your new favorite weeknight meal: this incredible Cabbage Beef Bake! It is a comforting, one-pot dish that brings delicious flavors to your table with minimal effort. Think of it as a deconstructed version of classic stuffed cabbage rolls, but without all the fuss. This recipe combines tender cabbage and savory ground beef in a rich tomato sauce, making it incredibly easy and quick to prepare. Get ready to enjoy a satisfying meal that the whole family will love.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Cabbage Beef Bake
This Cabbage Beef Bake is a true gem for busy weeknights and home cooks!
- Quick and Easy: It’s ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for those hectic schedules.
- Ultimate Comfort Food: Enjoy hearty and satisfying flavors reminiscent of a cozy home-cooked meal.
- Nutritious Meal: Packed with lean protein and plenty of vegetables for a balanced dish.
- Simple Cleanup: Everything comes together in one pot, making after-dinner chores a breeze. According to several culinary resources, one-pot cooking offers numerous benefits from simplifying meal preparation to retaining flavors and nutrients.
- Great for Meal Prep: It tastes even better the next day, ideal for delicious leftovers.
- Versatile Appeal: This savory dish is sure to please varied palates, from kids to adults.
Ingredients
To make this delightful Cabbage Beef Bake, you’ll only need a few simple ingredients, most of which you likely already have in your pantry. This recipe is designed for ease and maximum flavor.
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 head green cabbage
- 8 oz carrots
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon oregano
- 24 oz tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Notes & Substitutions
For the lean ground beef, we recommend using 90/10 or 83/17 blends for great flavor without too much grease. You can drain any excess fat after browning if desired. For the cabbage, fresh green cabbage is best, but pre-shredded cabbage works in a pinch for even faster prep.
Carrots add a lovely sweetness and texture; fresh whole carrots, thinly sliced, are preferred. Our seasonings are simple pantry staples like garlic powder, onion powder, and oregano, but feel free to adjust them to your taste. Choose a high-quality brand for your tomato sauce as it forms the base of the dish.
The sugar is optional but helps balance the acidity in the tomato sauce for a smoother flavor profile. You can also substitute ground turkey or chicken for the beef if you prefer.
Equipment
You don’t need much specialized equipment for this straightforward Cabbage Beef Bake recipe. Keep it simple and efficient!
- Dutch oven (a 5-7 quart size is ideal) or a large, heavy-bottomed pot.
- Cutting board for prepping vegetables.
- Sharp knife for slicing and shredding.
Instructions
Making this delicious Cabbage Beef Bake is incredibly simple, perfect for beginner cooks. Just follow these easy steps to create a hearty and satisfying meal in your Dutch oven.
- Prepare Cabbage: Begin by washing and drying your 1/2 head of green cabbage thoroughly. Remove the tough core from the cabbage, then carefully shred it into thin strips using your sharp knife. Set the shredded cabbage aside.
- Slice Carrots: Next, peel the 8 ounces of carrots. Using your sharp knife, slice the peeled carrots into uniform 1/4-inch thick rounds. Consistent slices help ensure even cooking in your Cabbage Beef Bake.
- Brown Beef: Place your Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add the 1 pound of lean ground beef to the hot pot. Cook the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon, until it is fully browned and no pink remains. Drain any excess grease from the pot if necessary.
- Sauté Veggies: Add the prepared shredded cabbage and sliced carrots directly into the pot with the browned beef. Sauté these vegetables for about 5 to 10 minutes. Stir occasionally until the cabbage begins to soften and wilt.
- Simmer Casserole: Stir in the 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, 1/4 teaspoon of oregano, 24 ounces of tomato sauce, 1 teaspoon of sugar (if using), 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/8 teaspoon of black pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let everything simmer for 10 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld and the vegetables to become fully tender, completing your flavorful Cabbage Beef Bake.
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
Make your Cabbage Beef Bake perfect every time with these helpful tips!
- Always use lean ground beef to avoid excess grease in your finished dish, making it lighter and healthier.
- Slice carrots consistently into thin rounds; this ensures they cook evenly and become tender at the same rate as the cabbage.
- Avoid overcooking the cabbage; it should be tender-crisp, not mushy, retaining some texture for the best eating experience.
- Always taste and adjust the salt and pepper levels before serving; personal preference makes a big difference.
- A heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven ensures even heat distribution, preventing sticking and burning.
Serving, Storage & Variations
Serving Suggestions
This hearty Cabbage Beef Bake is a meal in itself, perfect as a satisfying main course. To make it even more filling, pair it with some warm garlic bread or soft dinner rolls to soak up the delicious tomato sauce. You can also serve it over creamy mashed potatoes, fluffy brown rice, or wide egg noodles for a heartier meal. For a touch of freshness, consider adding a simple side salad.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers of your Cabbage Beef Bake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. We recommend using glass containers, especially for tomato-based dishes, as they prevent staining and retain flavor better. To reheat, simply warm a portion in a skillet over medium heat until heated through, or use the microwave for a quicker option. Freezing is generally not recommended for this dish, as the cabbage can become overly soft and watery upon thawing, affecting the overall texture.
Variations
This Cabbage Beef Bake recipe is wonderfully adaptable to suit your family’s preferences.
- Meat Substitute: Instead of ground beef, try ground turkey or ground chicken for a lighter version.
- Add Bulk: Stir in a cup of cooked white or brown rice along with the tomato sauce to make it a bulkier, more substantial dish.
- Extra Veggies: Feel free to add other quick-cooking vegetables like diced bell peppers or sliced mushrooms when you sauté the cabbage and carrots. They add extra flavor and nutrients.
Nutrition
This Cabbage Beef Bake is a truly balanced and wholesome meal, providing excellent nutritional value. The lean ground beef delivers a significant punch of protein, essential for muscle repair and satiety, making it a very filling dish.
You also get a fantastic dose of fiber and a variety of vitamins from the generous amounts of fresh cabbage and carrots. A Cleveland Clinic article highlights that cabbage offers numerous health benefits.
from boosting the immune system to improving digestion. It’s a meal that nourishes your body while delighting your taste buds. For detailed nutritional information, refer to the table below.
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 171 kcal |
| Carbohydrate Content | 15 g |
| Protein Content | 19 g |
| Fat Content | 4 g |
| Saturated Fat Content | 2 g |
| Cholesterol Content | 47 mg |
| Sodium Content | 725 mg |
| Fiber Content | 5 g |
| Sugar Content | 9 g |
| Trans Fat Content | 0.3 g |
| Unsaturated Fat Content | 2.4 g |
| Serving Size | 1 serving |
FAQ
Do I need to pre-cook the cabbage for this Cabbage Beef Bake?
No, there is no need to pre-cook the cabbage. You will sauté it directly in the Dutch oven with the ground beef until it begins to wilt and then simmer it in the sauce.
Can you freeze this cabbage beef bake?
While technically possible, freezing is not recommended for optimal texture. The cabbage can become too soft and watery once thawed.
What’s the best way to cut cabbage for this recipe?
First, halve your head of cabbage, then remove the tough core. After that, slice it into thin, uniform strips for even cooking
Conclusion
This Hearty Cabbage Beef Bake truly delivers on its promise: a comforting, healthy, and incredibly easy family meal. It’s perfect for those busy weeknights when you crave something satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen. With its simple ingredients and straightforward steps, even beginner cooks can create this flavorful, one-pot Dutch oven casserole with confidence.
We encourage you to try this delicious Cabbage Beef Bake soon and experience the joy of a homemade meal that everyone will love. Enjoy every delicious bite!
Hearty Cabbage Beef Bake: An Easy Dutch Oven Casserole
Equipment
- Dutch oven
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 head cabbage
- 8 oz carrots
Seasonings & Sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon oregano
- 24 oz tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
Preparation
- Wash, dry, and remove the core from the cabbage, then shred it into thin strips.
- Peel and slice the carrots into 1/4-inch thick rounds.
Cooking
- Brown the ground beef in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
- Add the shredded cabbage and sliced carrots to the pot and sauté for 5-10 minutes until the cabbage begins to wilt.
- Stir in the seasonings, tomato sauce, and sugar, then let everything simmer for 10 minutes until the vegetables are fully tender.