Description
A hearty and comforting Cabbage Beef Bake that layers shredded cabbage with seasoned ground beef, tomatoes, and a creamy tomato-sour cream sauce, all topped with melted Swiss cheese. This baked casserole combines savory flavors and wholesome ingredients for a satisfying meal perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 small cabbage, shredded
- 1½ lbs ground beef (or turkey)
- 1 large onion, chopped
- ½ cup red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 15 oz can diced tomatoes, undrained
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
- ¼ tsp sugar
- 1 tsp caraway seeds (optional)
- 1 8 oz can tomato sauce
- 1 cup reduced-fat sour cream
- 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese (or preferred cheese)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Prepare the Cabbage Layer: Spread the shredded cabbage evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form the base layer of the casserole.
- Cook the Meat Mixture: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef with the chopped onion and red bell pepper until the meat is thoroughly cooked and vegetables are tender. Drain any excess fat.
- Season the Meat Mixture: Stir into the cooked beef mixture the undrained diced tomatoes, salt, pepper, sugar, and caraway seeds (if using) to add depth of flavor.
- Layer the Meat: Spoon the seasoned beef mixture over the shredded cabbage in the baking dish, spreading it evenly.
- Make the Creamy Tomato Sauce: In a bowl, mix the tomato sauce with the reduced-fat sour cream until smooth, then spread this mixture evenly over the layer of beef.
- Bake Covered: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour, allowing the flavors to meld and the cabbage to soften.
- Add Cheese and Finish Baking: Remove the foil, sprinkle the shredded Swiss cheese evenly on top, and continue baking uncovered for an additional 15 to 20 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Rest Before Serving: Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes after baking to set, making it easier to serve and enjoy.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey for a leaner option.
- Caraway seeds add a unique flavor but can be omitted if unavailable.
- Use any cheese you prefer, such as cheddar or mozzarella, instead of Swiss.
- Allowing the dish to rest before serving helps the layers set for cleaner slices.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: cabbage beef bake, casserole recipe, baked beef and cabbage, healthy casserole, ground beef recipe
