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Freshly baked lazy cabbage roll casserole in a white dish, layered with beef, cabbage, rice, tomato sauce, and garnished with parsley.

Lazy Cabbage Roll Casserole

This lazy cabbage roll casserole is the perfect no-fuss dish that captures the hearty flavors of traditional cabbage rolls without the extra work. Featuring layers of ground beef, cabbage, and rice baked in a savory tomato and broth mixture, it’s a simple yet satisfying meal for busy weeknights or meal prepping. Enjoy the comfort of this baked cabbage roll dish with minimal effort!
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pounds ground beef lean, to minimize grease
  • 3 ½ pounds chopped cabbage green cabbage works best, chopped into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 (29 ounce) can tomato sauce plain, for signature tangy flavor
  • 1 cup chopped onion yellow onion preferred for sweetness
  • 1 cup uncooked white rice long-grain recommended for even cooking
  • 1 teaspoon salt adjust to taste
  • 2 (14 ounce) cans beef broth adds savory depth and helps cook the rice

Equipment

  • large skillet
  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • Mixing bowl
  • Aluminum foil

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven. Set it to 350°F (175°C) while you gather your ingredients.
  2. Brown the beef. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until it’s browned and crumbly, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess grease.
  3. Mix the filling. In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped cabbage, tomato sauce, onion, uncooked rice, and salt. Stir in the cooked beef until everything’s evenly distributed.
  4. Assemble the casserole. Pour the mixture into a 9x13-inch baking dish. If it doesn’t fit, you can use a smaller dish for the overflow. Then, evenly pour the beef broth over the top of the casserole.
  5. Bake. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 1 hour.
  6. Stir and finish baking. Remove from the oven, stir the casserole, and re-cover it with foil. Bake for an additional 20-30 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the cabbage is soft.
  7. Serve and enjoy. Let it cool slightly, serve warm, and dig in. It’s pure comfort food!

Notes

Leftovers taste even better as the flavors meld. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. For a vegetarian option, swap the beef for plant-based crumbles and use vegetable broth. If the casserole looks dry before the second bake, add ½ cup of broth at a time.