Here’s a hearty and comforting Savory Cabbage Beef Bake — layers of tender cabbage, seasoned ground beef, and melted cheese baked to perfection.
🥩🥬 Savory Cabbage Beef Bake
🛒 Ingredients (Serves 4–6)
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- 1 small head of cabbage, chopped or shredded
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or cheese of choice)
- 1 cup cooked rice or mashed potatoes (optional, for extra filling)
- 1 can (14 oz / 400 g) diced tomatoes or tomato sauce
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp paprika or smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dried thyme or Italian seasoning
- 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Preheat Oven
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2️⃣ Cook the Beef
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Sauté onions and garlic until fragrant.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in diced tomatoes (or sauce), salt, pepper, paprika, and thyme. Simmer 5 minutes.
3️⃣ Prepare the Cabbage
- Lightly sauté cabbage in a bit of butter or olive oil for 3–5 minutes until slightly softened (optional but helps reduce moisture).
4️⃣ Assemble the Bake
- If using rice or mashed potatoes, spread a layer on the bottom of the baking dish.
- Layer cabbage over the base.
- Pour beef mixture over the cabbage.
- Top with shredded cheese.
5️⃣ Bake
- Bake 25–30 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
6️⃣ Serve
- Let sit 5 minutes before serving.
- Optional: garnish with fresh herbs or a drizzle of sour cream.
🔥 Tips & Variations
- Extra flavor: Add mushrooms, bell peppers, or carrots to the beef mixture.
- Cheesy twist: Mix cream cheese into the beef for a creamier texture.
- Low-carb option: Skip rice or potatoes and use extra cabbage or cauliflower rice.
- Spicy version: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce.
- Make ahead: Assemble in advance, cover, and bake when ready to serve.
If you like, I can provide a restaurant-style Savory Cabbage Beef Bake recipe with perfectly caramelized cabbage, rich beef sauce, and a golden cheesy crust that’s hearty and indulgent.
