Description
Hearty Cabbage Beef Bake delivers comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen, blending rustic flavors with simple, satisfying ingredients. Warm layers of ground beef, tender cabbage, and rich seasonings promise a delicious meal perfect for family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Meats:
- 1 pound (450 grams) ground beef
Vegetables:
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 small head of cabbage, chopped (about 6 cups)
Canned and Liquid Ingredients:
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, with juices
- 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
- ½ cup beef broth
Seasonings and Herbs:
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Cheese:
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to a moderate temperature of 375°F (190°C), ensuring the cooking environment is ready for the hearty casserole.
- In a spacious skillet, thoroughly brown the ground beef over medium heat, carefully draining any accumulated fat to maintain a lean texture.
- Introduce finely chopped onions and minced garlic to the meat, sautéing until the aromatics become soft and release their fragrant essence, approximately 5 minutes.
- Gently fold the chopped cabbage into the skillet, allowing it to soften and mingle with the seasoned meat for 5-7 minutes, stirring periodically to prevent sticking.
- Enhance the mixture with diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, rich beef broth, tangy Worcestershire sauce, smoky paprika, aromatic oregano, and a balanced combination of salt and pepper, creating a robust flavor profile.
- Simmer the combined ingredients for 5 minutes, enabling the spices and liquids to harmonize and develop a deeply satisfying taste.
- Carefully transfer the vibrant beef and cabbage medley into a lightly greased 9×13-inch baking dish, distributing the mixture evenly across the surface.
- Generously sprinkle shredded cheese over the top, creating a golden, melty blanket that will transform during baking.
- Place the dish in the preheated oven, allowing it to bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese melts completely and develops a tempting golden-brown crust.
- Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to settle and the dish to cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Choose lean ground beef to reduce overall fat content and create a healthier dish.
- Swap regular ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based meat alternatives for lower-calorie options.
- Incorporate additional vegetables like bell peppers or carrots to boost nutritional value and add more color.
- Reduce sodium by using low-sodium beef broth and checking salt content in tomato sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 70mg