This Cabbage Roll Casserole features tender cabbage baked in a beefy tomato sauce, topped with melted mozzarella cheese. It’s healthy, satisfying and guilt-free comfort food!

❤️ Why You’ll Love this Lazy Cabbage Roll Casserole

• Tender cabbage baked in a flavorful tomato meat sauce
• Topped with melted mozzarella cheese
• Healthy, delicious, satisfying and guilt free comfort food
• Perfect for meal prepping

This hearty and comforting cabbage roll casserole brings together the flavors of classic cabbage rolls in the form of an easy-to-make, beefy, cheesy casserole. Made with tender pieces of cabbage, seasoned ground beef, a savory homemade tomato sauce and earthy spices, this is a delicious and satisfying casserole that’s a healthy meal-in-one.

Whether you’re looking for a cozy family dinner or a crowd-pleasing potluck dish, this cabbage roll casserole recipe is sure to become a new favorite in your menu lineup. It’s perfect for busy weeknights as it can be prepared ahead of time and reheated when you’re ready to serve it.

If you love the cabbage in this casserole, also known as Lazy Man’s Cabbage Rolls, be sure to try this amazing Cabbage Soup with Sausage and this wonderful Keto Fried Cabbage with Bacon!

🛒 What’s in Cabbage Roll Casserole

• Ground beef
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower rice
• Mozzarella cheese
• Tomato sauce
• Yellow onion
• Chicken broth
• Garlic
• Dried parsley
• Tomato paste
• Dried thyme
• Smoked paprika
• Salt
• Ground black pepper

*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

🥣 Recommended Tools

• Large pot or dutch oven
• 9 x 13 casserole baking dish
• Sharp kitchen knife

🔪 How to Make Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Casserole

Heat a large pot or dutch oven to medium and add in the ground beef, half the salt and pepper.

Once the ground beef is browned, push it to one side of the pot and add in the onions, remaining salt and pepper.  Sauté for a few minutes, just until they are starting to become translucent.

Add in the garlic and sauté for about 15 seconds, making sure not to brown it. 

Then add in the smoked paprika, tomato paste, parsley and thyme.  

Stir for a minute, then pour in the chicken broth and tomato sauce. 

Tip: If you don’t have chicken broth, you can use beef broth instead.

Scrape up the brown bits of flavor, then stir in the cauliflower rice.  Cover and simmer on low for 5 minutes and preheat your oven to 375°F.

Stir in the cabbage until well combined.

Tip: Alternatively, you can use shredded cabbage if you’d like.

Then pour into a 9 x 13 casserole baking dish that’s been sprayed with nonstick spray. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 40 minutes. 

Remove the casserole from the oven and increase the temperature to 425°F.  Add the shredded mozzarella cheese in an even layer over the top and bake for another 10 minutes or until golden and bubbly.

Tip: If you don’t have mozzarella cheese on hand, you can use Monterey Jack instead.

Allow to cool slightly before cutting into and serving.  Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for a few days or freeze.

Are Cabbage Rolls Healthy?

Though the amount of rice in traditional cabbages rolls really doesn’t add that many additional carbs, there is little nutrition in rice. By swapping out the white rice with cauliflower rice, you’re not only saving a few carbs, you’re also adding some of almost every vitamin and mineral that you need, making this casserole a very healthy choice.

Is Cabbage Keto?  What are the Carbs in Cabbage?

Cabbage is great for Keto. It’s full of fiber, extremely low carb and makes the most delicious Keto side dishes! Besides all that, it’s also a nutrient dense veggie.

It’s rich in vitamin B6 and folate but is also loaded with vitamin c, which we all know hosts so many health benefits. Plus, for a one cup serving, there are only 3 net grams of carbs.

Should I Cook the Chopped Cabbage Before Adding It?

It’s not necessary and just adds another step. If you want the cabbage to be extra soft (aka mushy) you can boil it first, but that is completely optional.  

Cabbage Casserole Variations:

• Change up the herbs: Experiment with herbs and spices you prefer. Rosemary, basil and oregano will give the casserole nice Italian flavors.

• Spice it up: If you want to add a kick of heat, you can add in a can of drained Rotel tomatoes, a pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper or even diced jalapeño pepper will do the trick.

• Cheeses: We used gooey mozzarella, but you can use cheddar, pepper jack, Monterey jack or any type of melty cheese you prefer.

• Add more veggies: If you want to stray from classic cabbage rolls ingredients, try adding other veggies like bell peppers, finely chopped broccoli, mushrooms, asparagus tips, even spinach or kale.  

What to Serve with Lazy Man Cabbage Rolls?

This is a hearty casserole that includes your source of protein and vegetables, which means it can serve as a complete meal in one.

If you’re wanting a Keto side to serve with it, keep it light and simple like this Creamy Cucumber Salad, this Broccoli Salad or just as it is with one of these pillowy soft Keto Dinner Rolls.

Can I Use Red Cabbage?

It may be great in other recipe, but I do not suggest using red cabbage for this recipe. Though it does not change the taste or texture a whole lot, the main reason is because it takes on an unappealing appearance. Everyone knows we eat with our eyes first, so I recommend always using green cabbage for this recipe.

More Keto Casseroles

• Spinach Artichoke Casserole
• Chicken Parmesan Casserole
• Easy Taco Casserole
• Chicken Pot Pie Casserole
• Loaded Creamy Cauliflower Casserole
• Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
• Easy Sausage & Pepper Casserole
• Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole
• Chicken Florentine Casserole