This Ground Beef and Cabbage Casserole is a true family treasure – a recipe that has stood the test of time in our household for years. The beauty lies in its simplicity! With just a handful of ingredients plus basic seasonings, you’ll create a hearty, comforting meal that brings everyone to the table.
Why You’ll Love This Casserole
I’m always excited to share recipes that check these important boxes:
- Incredibly simple to prepare
- Requires minimal, everyday ingredients
- Budget-friendly for any household
- Naturally gluten-free and grain-free
This Ground Beef and Cabbage Casserole hits all these marks perfectly. There’s something magical about the combination of seasoned ground beef, tender cabbage, and savory tomato mixture that creates pure comfort food magic.
The final result is irresistible: a flavorful seasoned beef base, perfectly cooked cabbage, and everything brought together with a savory tomato blend and melted cheese on top.
Ingredient List
The shopping list for this Ground Beef and Cabbage Casserole is refreshingly short and affordable – just basic ingredients most home cooks already have on hand:
- Cabbage: Regular green cabbage forms the foundation of this dish. For best value and proper texture, purchase a whole head rather than pre-shredded options. This allows you to cut it to the ideal size for even cooking.
- Ground beef: Lean ground beef (85-90%) works best here, providing flavor without excess fat. The beef is cooked with onions and bell pepper before assembling the casserole.
- Onion and bell pepper: These aromatics add essential flavor and texture to the meat mixture.
- Diced tomatoes: A standard 14.5-ounce can with juice provides the perfect amount of moisture and tangy flavor.
- Cheese: Mild cheddar creates that irresistible melty topping that brings everything together.
- Seasonings and flavorings: The dish gets its distinctive taste from garlic powder, a touch of sugar (optional), cider vinegar, salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
Creative Variations To Try
Flexible recipes help stretch your food budget by allowing you to use what you already have on hand. Here are some delicious ways to adapt this Ground Beef and Cabbage Casserole:
- Switch the protein: Ground turkey, chicken, or pork work wonderfully as alternatives to beef
- Boost the vegetables: Add mushrooms, corn, or carrots to the beef mixture for extra nutrition
- Enhance the tomato flavor: Mix in a little tomato sauce or paste for a richer tomato base
- Spice it up: Add paprika, cayenne pepper, or Italian seasoning for a flavor twist
- Make it dairy-free: Skip the cheese topping or substitute with a dairy-free alternative
- Create a creamier version: Stir some sour cream into the beef mixture before baking
I recommend trying the recipe as written first, then experimenting with these variations once you’ve experienced the original version.
How To Make Ground Beef and Cabbage Casserole
For detailed measurements and complete instructions, scroll down to the recipe card. Here’s the simple overview:
- Prepare the beef mixture: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with onion and green bell pepper until the meat is no longer pink. Drain excess fat, then stir in garlic powder, sugar (if using), cider vinegar, and diced tomatoes with juice. Simmer uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Cook the cabbage: While the beef mixture simmers, cut the cabbage into wedges or coarsely chop it, removing the tough inner core. Place about an inch of salted water in a large saucepan, add the cabbage, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and cook for about 10 minutes until tender. Drain thoroughly.
- Assemble and bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F/180°C and grease a 2-quart casserole dish. Arrange the drained cabbage in the prepared dish, then pour the ground beef mixture over the top. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes.
- Add cheese topping: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the casserole and bake for an additional 5 minutes until the cheese melts to perfection.
This entire process takes about 15 minutes of prep time and 45 minutes of cooking. You can prepare this casserole up to a day ahead: assemble the beef and cabbage layers in your baking dish, cover, and refrigerate. Add the final touches and bake when you’re ready to serve.
Storage and Freezing Tips
This Ground Beef and Cabbage Casserole is perfect for meal prep and leftovers:
- Refrigerate: Store the unbaked casserole for up to two days in the refrigerator. Add the cheese in the last few minutes of baking. Once cooked, store leftovers covered in the fridge; they’re best eaten within 1-2 days.
- Freeze: For longer storage, freeze the unbaked casserole. Follow the recipe as written, but line your casserole dish with plastic wrap before assembly. Once assembled, let it cool completely, then cover with plastic wrap and freeze until solid. Remove the frozen casserole from the dish, wrap it securely in aluminum foil or place in a freezer-safe container. Label and use within 2-3 months.
- Reheating from frozen: When ready to enjoy, add 10-20 minutes to the cooking time and add cheese during the final minutes of baking.
Why This Recipe Works
The beauty of this Ground Beef and Cabbage Casserole lies in its perfect balance of flavors and textures. The cabbage becomes tender yet maintains some structure, while the beef mixture provides rich, savory notes that complement the slightly sweet cabbage perfectly. The optional touch of sugar and vinegar brings out all the flavors, while the melted cheese creates an irresistible finish.
The casserole also hits that sweet spot between comfort food and healthy meal. Cabbage is packed with nutrients and fiber, while the lean ground beef provides quality protein. It’s a complete meal in one dish, though you can certainly pair it with steamed rice or fluffy mashed potatoes to stretch it further for larger families.
Serving Suggestions
To turn this Ground Beef and Cabbage Casserole into a complete meal, consider these perfect pairings:
- Fluffy mashed potatoes or steamed rice to soak up the delicious sauce
- A simple green salad with vinaigrette for a fresh contrast
- Crusty bread or dinner rolls on the side
- Roasted vegetables like carrots or Brussels sprouts for additional color and nutrition
More Delicious Cabbage Recipes
If you enjoy this Ground Beef and Cabbage Casserole and want to make the most of this budget-friendly vegetable, here are more fantastic cabbage recipes to try:
- Classic stuffed cabbage rolls
- Cabbage soup with ground beef
- Quick cabbage stir-fry
- Roasted cabbage steaks
- Creamy coleslaw
- Cabbage and potato hash
- Simple buttered cabbage side dish
- Corned beef and cabbage (not just for St. Patrick’s Day!)
Cabbage is truly one of the most versatile and affordable vegetables available. One average-sized head yields approximately 8-10 cups of chopped cabbage, making it an economical choice for multiple meals.
Budget-Friendly Cooking Tip
With grocery prices climbing, incorporating budget-friendly ingredients like cabbage into your meal planning is smart. Cabbage typically costs less than $1 per pound and can serve as the foundation for numerous family meals.
Beyond cabbage, experiment with other economical ingredients like frozen vegetables, carrots, potatoes, rice, beans, and lentils. By centering your meals around these affordable staples, you’ll naturally reduce your grocery bill without sacrificing flavor or nutrition.
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Ground Beef and Cabbage Casserole
Description
Make-ahead tip: Prepare the casserole up to a day in advance – assemble beef and cabbage layers, cover and refrigerate. Add cheese topping just before serving.
Ingredients
- 1 to 1½ pounds lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional)
- 2 teaspoons cider vinegar
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes with juice
- 1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 head cabbage (about 1½ to 2 pounds)
- ¾ cup shredded mild cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease a 2-quart casserole dish.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef, onion, and bell pepper until meat is no longer pink. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in garlic powder, sugar (if using), cider vinegar, and diced tomatoes with juice. Simmer uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Meanwhile, cut cabbage into wedges or coarsely chop, removing the tough inner core. Add about an inch of water and 1 teaspoon salt to a large saucepan. Add cabbage, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and cook for about 10 minutes until tender. Drain thoroughly.
- Arrange the drained cabbage in the prepared baking dish. Pour the ground beef mixture over the cabbage and bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes.
- Sprinkle cheese over the casserole and bake for about 5 minutes longer, until cheese has melted.
- Let cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
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Tip: For best results, use a deep casserole dish to ensure all the delicious layers bake evenly and don’t overflow.
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Serving suggestion: Turn this into a complete, comforting meal by pairing it with fluffy rice or creamy mashed potatoes on the side.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 45 minutes | Total Time: 60 minutes | Servings: 6