Easy Cabbage Roll Casserole Recipe

I was excited to try out this recipe as I was searching for a low-carb casserole dish. I typically don't appreciate when people make a lot of changes to a recipe before reviewing it, but I have to admit that this would have been a five-star dish even without my modifications. Here's what I did differently: I used a bag of pre-shredded cabbage coleslaw mix to save time. I also added some Italian seasoning and a sprinkle of cayenne based on recommendations from other reviews. Instead of just using tomato sauce, I combined 1 can of tomato sauce with 1 can of condensed tomato soup for a touch of sweetness and depth of flavor. To ensure the bacon stayed crispy, I cooked it separately in a skillet, drained it on paper towels, and added it to the casserole after baking. After baking the casserole as directed, I topped it off with the crispy bacon and a sprinkle of shredded cheddar/colby-jack cheese, then baked it for an additional 5 minutes until the cheese melted to perfection. The result was simply fantastic - one of the best recipes I've tried in a long time. I served this delightful dish with freshly steamed broccoli seasoned with a touch of chicken bouillon and butter, and enjoyed a juicy, ripe pear for dessert. What a wonderful meal - thank you for sharing this amazing recipe!

I tried making this recipe in a rush without carefully reading the instructions. I have a background in Hungarian cuisine, particularly the Hungarian version of stuffed cabbage. However, I found that there were a few key cooking techniques missing in this recipe. Firstly, I recommend softening the sweet onion and garlic after browning the meat (I used ground sirloin). To enhance the smoked flavor, I suggest cooking the meat in the bacon fat instead of discarding it. The addition of a drained can of sauerkraut would have taken this dish to the next level. I also missed the presence of paprika, a staple in Hungarian cooking. In the future, I would consider using a spicy V-8 juice instead of tomato sauce to give the dish a different flavor profile. While the tomato sauce added an Italian touch, I believe a spicier juice would complement the dish better. Overall, there is potential in this recipe, and I appreciate the inspiration it provided.

As a follower of a low-carb diet and a frequent ALDI shopper, I recently made a delicious meal that I'd love to share. I cooked up one pound of ground beef with 1 1/2 onions, two 8-ounce cans of tomato sauce, and 1/2 cup of beef broth instead of water. I added about three cups of cabbage and omitted the bacon and rice to keep it low-carb. I used a round casserole dish that was in between a 9x9 square and a 9x13 since my portions were smaller, then sprinkled Parmesan cheese on top. I seasoned the ground beef while cooking and added Italian seasoning to the whole dish. After baking for an hour at 350 degrees, it turned out absolutely delicious.

As a low-carb enthusiast who frequently shops at ALDI, I recently tried out a new recipe. Instead of the typical high-carb options, I opted for a low-carb dish. I used ground beef, onions, tomato sauce, beef broth, cabbage, and skipped the bacon and rice. I also adjusted the cooking dish size to accommodate my smaller portions. To add some flavor, I seasoned the ground beef and added Italian seasoning to the dish. After baking for an hour at 350 degrees, the dish turned out delicious. And to top it off, I sprinkled some Parmesan cheese for a finishing touch.

Rewritten review: I really enjoyed your recipe, Tracy! Thanks for sharing it. I particularly liked the concept of not having to roll the meat in the leaves - such a time-saver. While I agree with other reviewers that the meat sauce was a bit bland as written, I still gave it a 4-star rating based on the original recipe. If I didn't have to adjust the seasoning, it would have been a 5-star dish. It can be frustrating when reviewers drastically modify a recipe and then rate it based on their changes. I do appreciate seeing how other cooks enhance recipes. Here are the adjustments I made and my thoughts for when I make it again. To reduce the calorie content from bacon fat, I precooked the diced bacon, drained it on paper towels, and mixed it with the cabbage. I decided to coarsely chop the cabbage instead of shredding it to avoid the dish becoming too watery. In the meat and tomato mixture, I doubled the garlic and added a dash of cayenne pepper and thyme. Although I baked it for 90 minutes, the rice wasn't fully cooked, so I let it rest on the counter, covered, for an additional 15 minutes, which did the trick. For my next attempt, I plan to make some changes. I found that layering the cabbage and meat sauce didn't significantly impact the final presentation. I believe mixing the cabbage, rice, and meat sauce in a large pot and simmering it covered on the stovetop until everything's cooked could yield similar results. Additionally, I'm considering using ground lamb instead of beef, or experimenting with different combinations of ground meats for variety.

Updated review: I have always been a fan of cabbage rolls, but the original recipe left me wanting more in terms of flavor. However, my kids absolutely loved it! I also encountered issues with the rice not cooking all the way through and some of the cabbage remaining too tough even after extended time in the oven. While I would rate the original version a 3, my kids' enthusiasm pushed it to a 5, so I settled on a 4 overall. Upon making it again with some adjustments, my experience improved significantly. I enhanced the beef and rice mixture with extra seasoning, including more salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, and a hint of cayenne. I incorporated diced tomatoes and extra tomato sauce, opting for beef broth instead of water. Additionally, I steamed the cabbage separately while prepping other ingredients, resulting in a much shorter cooking time and better texture overall.

Hello, I just want to express my gratitude for sharing such a fantastic recipe. I prepared it this evening and added my own twist to it. As I adhere to a keto lifestyle, I substituted the rice with cauliflower rice, incorporated 1.5 pounds of lean ground beef, shredded some carrots, and utilized leftover red pepper. I increased the liquid content and utilized a 16-ounce can of tomato sauce. For the final touch, I broiled the bacon during the last five minutes of cooking, and the delightful flavor it infused into the dish was exceptional. I garnished mine with sour cream, while my husband opted for grated Parmesan. Thank you once again for the recipe. It has become a favorite of ours. The photo was taken after serving, so it may not look as picturesque as when it first came out of the oven. This dish is perfect comfort food for the chilly weather. - Julie Carter

The rice didn't cook properly despite being cooked for a long time. The taste was great, but the rice remained crunchy. Next time, I plan to cook the rice separately in my rice cooker and then add it to the sauce towards the end of the cooking process. I followed the suggestion of adding a can of tomato sauce, which provided just the right amount of sweetness. I skipped the bacon since I don't usually have cabbage rolls with bacon and prefer to keep our meals low in fat. I will make this recipe again with these adjustments.

I often find recipes using ground beef to be a bit bland, so I decided to switch things up a bit. Instead of using ground beef, I used 2 pounds of ground breakfast sausage for this dish. After browning the sausage and onions, I added a can of Fire Roasted Salsa Style Diced Tomatoes, 2 tablespoons of Italian seasoning, and 2 teaspoons of Garlic Salt, letting it simmer for 5-10 minutes. Meanwhile, I cooked 1/2 cup of brown rice separately and steamed a whole chopped cabbage. Once everything was ready, I combined it all together in a 9x12 casserole dish and baked it for 20 minutes. The result was absolutely delicious! This recipe is definitely a keeper!

Rewritten review: I absolutely adore bacon! The love for bacon runs deep in my family, especially since my wonderful Grandmother once fulfilled my Christmas wish for a pound of bacon when I was just seven years old. Not only do I have a soft spot for bacon, but I also have a fondness for cabbage rolls. So, stumbling upon this recipe felt like a magical moment where everything fell into place. I decided to give it a try for my family, and it was an immediate success. Seeing my two daughters also share my passion for bacon made the meal even more special when I served it on our table.

I tested it out in its original form.

I decided to use spaghetti sauce instead of tomato sauce, and it turned out to be fantastic and very satisfying.

Simple to prepare. Wonderful taste. I added a bit more water to the recipe to prevent it from being too dry before putting it together. This will definitely be a regular dish in my household. Skipped the bacon and added cheese on top.

I had some leftover cabbage in my fridge that I needed to use up quickly, and this recipe was the perfect solution! It was straightforward to follow, and, as usual, I made a few adjustments to suit my taste. To speed up the baking process, I decided to steam the cabbage while preparing the meat sauce. Following another reviewer's suggestion, I used a half can of tomato soup diluted with one cup of water, which added great flavor. I opted for ground turkey instead of the recommended meat, as it's my preference. To give it an extra kick, I seasoned the dish with oregano and cayenne. Unfortunately, I didn't have any bacon on hand, so I substituted it with turkey pepperoni as a topping. Overall, this recipe turned out delicious, and I'm grateful for finding it!

This recipe turned out quite bland compared to the delicious cabbage rolls I usually make. Next time, I plan to enhance it by adding 1/4 cup of diced bell peppers and a bit more salt.

Wonderful recipe! We loved it and will absolutely be making it again!

Very simple to prepare. I might omit the bacon on my next attempt and consider adding more tomato sauce or trying a can of tomato soup instead. We found it a tad dry.

Great, my husband loved it! I decided to try a variation with added bell peppers. Can't wait to see how it turns out when I bake it in a few days.