Description
Hearty Cabbage Beef Bake delivers comforting midwest flavors in one delicious casserole. Layers of seasoned ground beef, tender cabbage, and melted cheese create a satisfying meal that warms souls and delights hungry families.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium head cabbage
Seasonings:
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
Binders and Moisture:
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and thoroughly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Core and chop the cabbage into bite-sized pieces, spreading them evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder, using your hands to blend the seasonings thoroughly into the meat.
- Whisk eggs, milk, and breadcrumbs together in a separate bowl, creating a moist binding mixture for the beef.
- Incorporate the egg mixture into the seasoned ground beef, gently mixing until well combined without overmixing.
- Spread the beef mixture evenly over the cabbage layer, ensuring complete coverage and gentle pressing to compact the ingredients.
- Drizzle tomato sauce across the top of the beef layer, creating a uniform coating that will add moisture and flavor.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the entire casserole, providing a golden, melty topping.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes, protecting the cheese from burning.
- Remove foil during the last 10 minutes of baking to allow the cheese to become golden and slightly crispy.
- Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes after removing from the oven, allowing the layers to set and flavors to meld.
- Slice and serve hot, offering a hearty and comforting one-dish meal with layers of cabbage and seasoned beef.
Notes
- Customize the seasonings by experimenting with different herbs like thyme, rosemary, or Italian blend to elevate the flavor profile of the beef mixture.
- Opt for lean ground beef to reduce overall fat content, or substitute with ground turkey for a lighter protein option that maintains the dish’s hearty texture.
- Enhance nutritional value by adding diced bell peppers or spinach to the cabbage layer, creating extra vegetable depth and boosting the meal’s nutrient density.
- Ensure even cooking by chopping cabbage into uniform bite-sized pieces, which helps prevent some sections from becoming too soft or remaining undercooked.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg