Description
This Budget Ground Beef and Cabbage Casserole is the ultimate frugal comfort food. With seasoned ground beef, tender cabbage, and tomato-infused rice, this easy casserole recipe is hearty, freezer-friendly, and perfect for feeding the whole family. A cozy, budget-friendly dinner that reheats beautifully and delivers serious flavor.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
4 cups chopped green cabbage
2 cups cooked white or brown rice
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tbsp olive oil
1 cup shredded cheese (optional)
Instructions
1. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté chopped onion until softened.
2. Add ground beef and cook until browned. Stir in garlic, salt, pepper, paprika, and oregano. Remove from heat.
3. In a separate pan, lightly steam or sauté chopped cabbage until just tender.
4. In a large bowl, combine cooked rice, sautéed cabbage, beef mixture, diced tomatoes, and tomato sauce. Mix until evenly combined. If using cheese, stir in half.
5. Grease a 9×13 casserole dish and pour the mixture into it.
6. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top, if desired.
7. Cover with foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 35 minutes.
8. Uncover and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the top is golden and bubbling.
9. Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
This casserole freezes beautifully, just thaw and reheat for a quick dinner.
You can swap beef for ground turkey or lentils for a vegetarian version.
Use leftover cooked rice or instant rice to make this even quicker.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (about 1/6 of casserole)
- Calories: 375
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 690mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 55mg