Cheesy Cabbage Beef Casserole (Print-Friendly Version)

Baked layers of savory beef, cabbage, rice, and melty cheddar make an easy dinner the whole family will love.

# Ingredients:

01 - 1 medium head of cabbage, chopped
02 - 1 pound ground beef
03 - 1 onion, chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
06 - 1 cup cooked rice
07 - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
08 - Salt, to taste
09 - Pepper, to taste
10 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
11 - 1 cup beef broth

# Steps:

01 - Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with a little butter or nonstick spray and set aside.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, crumble the ground beef and add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is browned and the onions are soft—about 6–8 minutes. Drain off any excess fat.
03 - Add the chopped cabbage directly to the skillet with the beef mixture. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage starts to wilt and shrink down.
04 - Pour in the diced tomatoes (including their juices), the cooked rice, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine. Let the mixture simmer for another 5 minutes so all the flavors meld together and the cabbage softens.
05 - Transfer everything from the skillet into your prepared baking dish. Pour the beef broth evenly over the top.
06 - Evenly sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the casserole.
07 - Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown. Let the casserole sit for about 5 minutes before serving.

# Notes:

01 - The cabbage will shrink significantly as it softens during cooking. Don’t worry if the skillet seems overstuffed initially.
02 - Use already cooked rice for the best results. Leftovers from a previous meal work well.
03 - If you prefer a saucier casserole, add an additional 1/2 cup beef broth.
04 - Assemble the casserole a day in advance and store it covered in the refrigerator until ready to bake.