Beef and Cabbage Casserole Recipe

When you’re looking for a cozy meal that won’t break the bank, Tess has the perfect solution in her latest YouTube cooking video. Her beef cabbage casserole is quickly becoming a family favorite because it uses simple ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. This rustic dish proves that comfort food doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive.

What makes this recipe so special is how the cabbage takes the place of pasta, creating a hearty meal that’s both filling and budget-friendly. Tess walks viewers through each step, from browning the ground beef to that final golden-brown finish in the oven. We’re sharing this easy recap so you can follow along without rewinding the video a dozen times while your hands are covered in flour.

Key Takeaways

• This budget-friendly casserole uses simple ingredients like ground beef, cabbage, rice, and canned tomatoes to create a filling family meal.
• The recipe is flexible and forgiving, allowing you to add extra vegetables or cheese based on what you have available.
• The cabbage replaces traditional pasta and becomes tender and flavorful after baking with beef broth and seasonings.

Getting Simple, Wallet-Friendly Ingredients

Picking the Right Ground Beef

Tess chooses an 85/15 lean ground beef blend for this cozy casserole. This blend gives just enough fat for flavor without making the dish greasy. She browns a full pound in her skillet over medium heat, breaking it up as it cooks.

If you have a fattier blend on hand, don’t worry! Just drain off any extra grease after browning. Many busy moms find that keeping different ground beef blends in the freezer gives them options for different recipes throughout the week.

Garden-Fresh Veggies and Flavor Builders

The vegetable lineup is wonderfully simple. Tess uses one diced medium onion, two finely diced carrots, and three cloves of minced garlic. She cooks these aromatic vegetables for three to four minutes until they start to soften.

A pinch of salt and black pepper gets stirred in for another minute. The star of the show is about five cups of cubed cabbage that gets mixed into everything later.

For extra color and nutrition, she adds half a red bell pepper during the second baking phase. Other mild vegetables work great too – think potatoes, corn, green beans, or zucchini.

Comforting Kitchen Basics

The pantry ingredients keep this meal budget-friendly and filling. Tess adds half a cup of uncooked jasmine rice that hasn’t been rinsed or drained. The rice soaks up all those delicious flavors and helps hold the casserole together.

One 28-ounce can of diced tomatoes with juice creates the saucy base. She seasons with about a teaspoon of oregano, though any favorite herbs work well.

One and a half cups of beef broth gets poured over the whole mixture before baking. This liquid helps cook the rice and keeps everything moist and tender.

Ingredient	Amount	Purpose
Uncooked rice	1/2 cup	Absorbs flavors, binds casserole
Diced tomatoes	28 oz can	Creates sauce base
Oregano	1 tsp	Adds herb flavor
Beef broth	1 1/2 cups	Cooks rice, adds moisture

Getting the Meat and Veggies Ready

This part of making the casserole is where your kitchen starts to smell like home. The sizzling beef and sweet onions will have everyone asking what’s for dinner!

Cooking the Ground Beef

Tess starts by heating her skillet over medium heat. She uses a pound of lean ground beef with an 85/15 blend. This mix works perfectly because it won’t leave too much grease in the pan.

She breaks up the meat as it cooks, chopping it into small pieces with her spatula. The key here is patience – let that beef get nice and brown.

Pro tip for busy moms: If you’re using a fattier ground beef (maybe it was on sale!), just drain off the extra fat before moving to the next step. Your casserole will thank you later.

Cooking the Onions, Carrots, and Garlic

Once the beef looks good, Tess adds her veggie trio right to the same pan. She uses:

• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 carrots, finely diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced

The vegetables go right in with the cooked beef. She stirs everything together and lets it cook for about 3 to 4 minutes. The onions start to soften and the carrots begin to get tender.

Next comes a pinch of salt and black pepper. She gives everything another good stir and cooks for just one more minute. Then it’s time to take the skillet off the heat.

This is one of those moments where you might catch yourself sneaking a little taste – and that’s perfectly okay!

Creating the Casserole

Adding Rice and Tomatoes to the Mix

Tess finds it much easier to combine everything in her biggest mixing bowl rather than trying to work in the skillet. She transfers the cooked meat and vegetable mixture into the large bowl.

Next, she adds half a cup of uncooked jasmine rice that’s been rinsed and drained. The rice doesn’t need to be cooked first – it will absorb all those wonderful flavors as the casserole bakes.

She pours in one full 28-ounce can of diced tomatoes, making sure to include all the juice. The tomato juice helps create that rich sauce that brings everything together.

Adding Spices for Taste

This is where you can really make the recipe your own! Tess keeps things simple by adding about a teaspoon of oregano to the mixture.

She gives everything a good stir to combine all the ingredients. The beauty of this recipe is that you can add whatever seasonings your family loves best.

Some families might enjoy a pinch of Italian seasoning or maybe a dash of paprika. Trust your taste buds and don’t be afraid to experiment.

Mixing in the Fresh Cabbage

Tess adds about five cups of cubed cabbage to the bowl. The cabbage might seem like a lot at first, but it will cook down beautifully.

She takes her time mixing everything together gently. This step needs patience – you want to make sure the cabbage gets coated with all those delicious flavors.

Once everything is well combined, she pours the entire mixture into a 9×13 baking pan. She gives it a nice press down to level everything out evenly. This helps the casserole cook uniformly and look prettier when served.

Putting It All Together in the Oven

Arranging Everything in Your Baking Dish

Once Tess has everything mixed up in her big bowl, she pours the whole mixture into a 9 by 13 baking pan. She gives it a nice little pat down to level everything out evenly.

This step is really important because you want all those flavors to cook together nicely. The cabbage pieces should be spread around so they cook at the same rate. Don’t worry if it looks like a lot – that cabbage is going to shrink down as it bakes.

Pouring in the Beef Broth

Tess pours one and a half cups of beef broth right over the top of everything in the pan. This liquid is what makes the magic happen in the oven.

The broth keeps everything moist while it cooks. It also helps the rice get tender and creamy. Make sure you pour it evenly across the whole pan so every bite gets that rich flavor.

Cooking Times and Helpful Hints

Here’s how Tess gets this casserole just right:

First Hour:

• Cover tightly with foil
• Bake at 350 degrees for one hour
• The kitchen will smell amazing!

After One Hour:

• Give everything a gentle stir
• Add any extra veggies you want (bell peppers, potatoes, corn, green beans, zucchini)
• Put it back in uncovered for 30 to 45 more minutes

When It’s Done:

• The cabbage should be nice and tender
• Let it rest for 15 minutes before serving
• Optional: Add grated cheddar cheese for the last 10 to 15 minutes

The uncovered cooking time at the end helps everything get that perfect texture. The cabbage gets tender but not mushy, and the rice soaks up all those delicious flavors.

Making It Your Own Special Way

Adding Your Favorite Vegetables

After that first hour of baking, you have a perfect chance to make this dish your own. Tess opens up her fridge and finds half a red bell pepper that needs using up – doesn’t that sound familiar?

You can toss in whatever vegetables your family loves. Bell peppers, potatoes, corn, green beans, or zucchini all work beautifully in this cozy casserole. The key is choosing mild vegetables that cook well.

Here are some great options to consider:

• Diced potatoes for extra heartiness
• Frozen corn kernels (no need to thaw)
• Fresh or frozen green beans
• Sliced zucchini for a garden-fresh taste

Just mix them in after that first hour, and they’ll cook perfectly during the final 30 to 45 minutes.

Melty Cheese Goodness

Sometimes a casserole just calls out for cheese, doesn’t it? Tess mentions that grated cheddar cheese makes a wonderful optional topping.

If you want to add cheese, sprinkle it on top during the last 10 to 15 minutes of cooking time. This gives it just enough time to melt and get golden without burning.

Sharp cheddar works especially well, but you could also try:

• Mild cheddar for picky eaters
• Monterey Jack for a creamy flavor
• A Mexican blend for a little kick

Patience Makes It Perfect

Once your casserole comes out of the oven all bubbly and fragrant, resist the urge to dig in right away. Tess lets hers rest for a full 15 minutes before serving.

This resting time isn’t just busy work – it helps everything settle together nicely. The sauce thickens up a bit, and the flavors meld together beautifully.

Those 15 minutes are perfect for setting the table or tossing together a simple side salad. Your family will appreciate how well everything holds together when you serve it up.

How to Serve and Keep Your Casserole Fresh

Tess lets her finished casserole rest for a full 15 minutes before serving. This waiting time helps everything settle together nicely and prevents that first scoop from falling apart on your plate.

The cabbage becomes beautifully tender and takes the place of pasta in this dish. It pairs wonderfully with the rich beef and tomato flavors that develop during baking.

Serving Ideas:

• Serve with crusty bread or dinner rolls
• Add a simple green salad on the side
• Top individual portions with a dollop of sour cream
• Sprinkle fresh herbs like parsley or chives on top

Making It Your Own

Tess mentions you can add grated cheddar cheese during the last 10 to 15 minutes of cooking time. This creates a golden, bubbly top that kids especially love.

The recipe works great with extra vegetables too. Try adding any of these during the second hour of cooking:

• Bell peppers
• Diced potatoes
• Corn kernels
• Green beans
• Zucchini chunks

Storage Tips

Refrigerator: Store leftovers covered for up to 4 days. The flavors actually get better after a day or two.

Freezing: This casserole freezes well for up to 3 months. Let it cool completely before wrapping tightly.

Reheating: Warm individual portions in the microwave or reheat the whole dish covered in a 325-degree oven until heated through. Add a splash of broth if it seems dry.

The small amount of rice Tess uses helps hold everything together and soaks up all those wonderful flavors. This makes reheating much easier since the casserole stays nicely bound together.

Finishing Touches and Spreading the Joy

After that first hour of baking, Tess opens the oven to the most wonderful aroma filling her kitchen. She gives everything a gentle stir to check how things are coming along. This is the perfect time to toss in any extra veggies you might have hiding in your fridge.

Tess found half a red bell pepper that needed using up, but you could easily add:

• Diced potatoes for extra heartiness
• Corn kernels for a touch of sweetness
• Green beans chopped into bite-sized pieces
• Zucchini cubes for summer freshness

She mixes in her bell pepper and pops the casserole back in the oven. This time it goes in uncovered for another 30 to 45 minutes until that cabbage gets nice and tender.

Once it’s bubbling and perfectly cooked, Tess pulls it out piping hot. She lets it rest for a full 15 minutes before serving. This little break helps everything settle together beautifully.

The cabbage really shines in this dish. It gets wonderfully tender and takes the place of any pasta you might expect in a casserole. That small amount of jasmine rice soaks up all the rich beef and tomato flavors while helping hold everything together like culinary glue.

Pro tip from Tess: If your family loves cheese, sprinkle some grated cheddar on top during the last 10 to 15 minutes of cooking. It’s completely optional but adds that extra comfort food touch kids adore.

This recipe delivers exactly what busy families need – easy, comforting, and budget-friendly. Tess encourages everyone to mark this one down for those nights when you need something filling that won’t break the bank.

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