Published: Jan 8, 2020 · Modified: May 24, 2025 by Zerrin & Yusuf

Unstuffed Cabbage Casserole

Name: Unstuffed Cabbage Casserole
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 2 pounds cabbage (roughly chopped); 1 pound ground beef; 1/4 cup water; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 onion (chopped); 4 cloves garlic; 2½ tablespoons tomato paste; 1/2 cup tomatoes (diced); 1 cup rice (washed and rinsed well); 1½ salt; 1 teaspoon black pepper; 1 teaspoon dried mint; 1 lemon (squeezed); ¼ cup parsley (chopped); ¾ cup water; 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

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Unstuffed Cabbage Casserole doesn't take even the half time of cabbage rolls but it is as scrumptious. It is easily made with rice and ground beef, so makes a wonderful main dish. Who bothers stuffing cabbage leaves when you can make equally delicious unstuffed cabbage rolls with the same ingredients in a much shorter time?

A slice of unstuffed cabbage roll casserole served on a white plate

This is a lazy mom’s recipe, I know. But isn't it great that it tastes pretty much like your favorite Turkish cabbage rolls? And if you are in the mood for a soup, check out our unstuffed cabbage soup too!

Can you imagine that you will have the same taste as regular cabbage rolls by spending just half of the time? This cabbage casserole recipe is definitely for those who are looking for the easiest and quickest way of making delicate dishes.

Cabbage rolls require a lot of effort and time and it is better when we find a shortcut. Hey, I have a shortcut for that laborious dish. Use the same ingredients but change the form! Deconstruct the rolls and serve in the form of unstuffed cabbage rolls.

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How To Make
Tips
With Instant Rice
Without Rice
With Quinoa
Vegetarian Version
What To Serve With
How To Freeze
FAQs
Other Cabbage Recipes
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How To Make

This cabbage roll casserole recipe is one of the best shortcuts in my culinary experience. It has three parts.

First, blanch the cabbage leaves. Bring a deep pot full of water to boil and leave the roughly chopped cabbage leaves in it carefully. It takes about ten minutes for the chopped cabbage to soften. Transfer them in a bowl using a slotted spoon.

Second, cook the ingredients in a pan starting with ground beef. Cook it with a little water. Water helps the ground beef to release juice, which makes it easier to get rid of any blocks. Stir and gently press over the ground beef until there aren't any blocks left. Watch the video below to see how.

Cook it covered over medium low heat for about 10 minutes. When there is little water left, add in olive oil, chopped onion and garlic. Give it a good stir. Then add in tomato paste, tomatoes, rice and the spices except cayenne pepper, stirring each time you add one. Add in the blanched cabbage, lemon juice, parsley and water. Cook covered over the lowest heat until water is absorbed and rice is tender.

Third, bake it in a casserole pan. But before doing it, add some cayenne pepper and extra tomato paste to the pan, stir well and then transfer everything into a casserole pan.

Unstuffed cabbage casserole with ground beef and rice in a baking pan

Tips

Optionally, you can just skip the baking step if you don't have enough time for it. Serve it after everything in the pan is cooked over the stove.
As seen in the video below, I add extra tomato paste after everything in the pan is cooked, just before transferring it into the casserole pan. It bakes better when there is some wetness in the mixture as some of you suggested in the comments below.
No need for any toppings on this cabbage casserole with ground beef and rice as I want exactly the same taste of my favorite cabbage rolls, but you can top your casserole with some cheese if you like.
When updating the recipe, I made some changes with the help of your suggestions in the comments and emails. The former recipe before the update calls for cooked rice, which requires cooking rice in a separate pan before combining it with other ingredients. Some readers suggested cooking it in the same pan with other ingredients so that everything cooks together and it requires less effort. Such a wonderful and helpful suggestion! Thank YOU! That's why, I cooked everything together in this updated version. There is one thing you need to be careful though: Add enough water to cook the rice. ¾ cup water for 1 cup rice was enough for me. Other ingredients like tomatoes, lemon juice and cabbage helped it cook as well.

With Instant Rice

You can definitely use instant rice to make this recipe even easier and quicker. You don't need to worry about how much water you will need. Also, you can easily decide how much rice you'd like in your meal. Add some, give it a stir and add more if you think it's not enough. Unlike uncooked rice, the amount of rice will not double as it's pre-cooked.

Unstuffed cabbage roll casserole with rice and beef served on a white plate

Without Rice

It is possible to make this recipe either with or without rice. If you are on a diet or want to reduce the carb in your meal, make it without rice. I've tried it and it's as tasty and filling as beef and cabbage stew, so I'm sure you will be satisfied with it as well. There is no need to add water in the pan if you decide to leave the rice out.

With Quinoa

Yes, you can. If you are a fan of quinoa, feel free to substitute quinoa for rice. Make sure you add enough water when cooking it though. ¾ cup water for ½ cup quinoa should be fine. Also, simmer it over the lowest heat to give it enough time to cook.

Vegetarian Version

If you want a lighter version, leave the ground beef out and make it vegetarian. I love both versions. Making it meatless is better when serving it as a side dish. To make it even tastier, drizzle extra olive oil and lemon juice on it when serving. One of our readers suggested some cheese topping when baking, so I think it's a great idea when you turn it into a vegetarian dinner.

What To Serve With

The best thing to serve with this casserole recipe is a bowl of plain yogurt or Turkish ezme. I love it really tangy, so I squeeze extra lemon on my part when eating as you can see in the video.

We love to pair it with our homemade dinner rolls too.

As this casserole recipe is a perfect main course you can make for your family, serve their favorite sides or salads with it.

How To Freeze

This is a freezer-friendly recipe. You can freeze it either after it is cooked over the stove or after it is baked. Just make sure it cools completely before freezing. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven when you need a quick meal.

THANK YOU all for helping me develop the recipes on the blog. This is what I love most about blogging! I'm still open to new ideas on this recipe. Please share them in the comments section if you have any!

If you like this cabbage recipe, you should check Cabbage and Noodles from Spicy Southern Kitchen and Asian Beef and Cabbage Salad from Taste and Tell Blog too.

Unstuffed cabbage rolls with beef and rice in a casserole pan right from oven

FAQs

Do you have to wash cabbage before eating?

You don’t need to wash the inside of a cabbage head, especially when it is tight. Just remove the outer leaves and wash the head under water. On the other hand, some types of cabbage consist of really loose leaves, so there might be dirt between the leaves. It is better to remove the leaves from the stem and wash them.

How do you chop cabbage?

Remove the leaves that cover the outer part of the cabbage head. Wash it under water, not removing the other leaves. First, cut it into two and then depending on the size of the cabbage head, cut each half into two or four quarters. Next, chop them roughly for this recipe. You need to chop them thinly when making salads like coleslaw.

How do you blanch cabbage leaves?

It is a very easy step that helps the cabbage leaves cook faster. Bring a pot of water to boil and throw the leaves into it. Cook them for 5-10 minutes in the simmering water. The duration might differ depending on the thickness of the leaves. If they are too thick, cook them for 10 minutes and if they are thin, cook them less. Then transfer the leaves into a bowl using a slotted spoon.

Can you freeze a bag of shredded cabbage?

Yes, you can. When you end up with a large amount of shredded cabbage, freezing it for a later use is a great solution. Put it in freezer bags in portions, seal them and keep in the freezer.

Can you cook cabbage ahead of time?

Yes, you can.You can cook chopped or shredded cabbage and keep it in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 1-2 days.

What meat goes with cooked cabbage?

Well, cabbage is such a versatile vegetable that can go well with any meat. Our choice is almost always ground beef, but it is great with lamb, chicken or pork as well. You can use whichever is your favorite.

What vegetable goes with cabbage?

If you want to enrich your casserole with other vegetables, go ahead and add them into your pan when combining cooked cabbage with ground beef. Root vegetables like potatoes and celery would make a great addition. Also, celery, leek or spinach would work fine as well.

Other Cabbage Recipes

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4.55 from 35 votes