Easy Cabbage Casserole Recipe to Make Tonight

Cabbage casserole is one of those lazy weeknight dishes that’s incredibly satisfying.

This casserole has all the flavor of cabbage rolls without any rolling. With tender cabbage, hearty ground beef, and a crispy crust, everyone will love this dish. 

Plus, it’s super affordable, and you can enjoy the leftovers throughout the week.

This casserole is a great option if you want to feed a group while keeping the price low. 

Go grease your baking dish, and make this delicious casserole tonight!

Cabbage Casserole 

Cabbage rolls are the perfect comfort food, but they take a lot of effort. This recipe delivers all the cabbage roll feels, but it’s so easy. 

And I think it’s even tastier than cabbage rolls!

It’s packed with ground beef and cabbage, and savory seasoning. But it also has gooey cheese and a crispy butter cracker crust. 

It’s easy to whip up on a hectic weeknight when you’re pressed for time.

Even the picky eaters in the house will gobble down their veggies when this recipe is on the menu!

Ingredients 

Here’s what you need to make this delectable dinner:

• Ground beef – Any type of ground beef works in this recipe, as long as you drain away the extra fat. Use 85% lean and 15% fat ground beef for a good balance of flavors. You can also use ultra-lean or ground turkey. 

• Cabbage – Cabbage is super affordable. You need roughly chopped cabbage for this recipe, so I suggest chopping it yourself. Bagged shredded cabbage is too thin and will disintegrate in the oven. 

• Onion – Use any type of onion you like, but yellow onions remain sweet and flavorful even after a trip in the oven. 

• Margarine or butter – The butter type doesn’t matter if it’s melted. You can use dairy butter or opt for a plant-based substitute. Just be sure it’s unsalted so you can control the salt levels. 

• Salt – A little dash of salt helps bring out the richness in those veggies. 

• Mayonnaise – I know adding mayo sounds strange, but trust me on this one. It adds a rich creaminess to this dish. 

• Cream of mushroom soup – Adding a can thickens the casserole and adds such wonderful, earthy flavors. 

Topping

The topping is the best part! It adds buttery, crunchy notes to this super-savory dinner dish. 

• Margarine or butter – The topping is like a streusel crumble, so you need just enough butter to mind all the cheese and crackers. 

• Butter-flavored crackers – I like Club Crackers because they’re so incredibly buttery and delicious. 

• Sharp cheddar cheese – For the ultimate gooey finish, use a block of cheese and shred it yourself. The pre-shredded cheese doesn’t melt as easily. 

How to Make Cabbage Casserole 

This recipe requires very little effort. Here’s a quick rundown of how easily it comes together.

1. Prepare. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a 9×13 casserole dish. 

2. Cook the ground beef. In a saute pan, cook the ground beef over medium heat for 5-7 minutes. Then, drain the excess grease and set it aside. 

3. Add the veggies to the casserole dish. Place the cabbage, onion, and melted butter in an even layer. 

4. Mix the ground beef and creamy ingredients. Add cream of mushroom soup and mayonnaise in a large mixing bowl until combined. Then, stir in the ground beef. 

5. Make the cheesy topping. In a small mixing bowl, combine the crushed buttered crackers, cheese, and butter. 

6. Layer everything together. Layer the ground beef mixture over the cabbage. Then, sprinkle the cheesy crackers on top in an even layer. 

7. Bake. Bake the casserole for 45-50 minutes. Remove it from oven, and enjoy!

Variations

These simple variations take this casserole over the top. Whether you want more cheese, spice, or a healthy alternative, I have you covered. 

• Give it a healthy twist. Making simple swaps can make this classic comfort food a little more healthy. Opt for a leaner ground beef, or use ground turkey or chicken. You can also use low-fat mayo and plant-based butter. 

• Go crazy with cheese! While sharp cheddar is rich and flavorful, you don’t have to stop there. Try adding mozzarella, Colby Jack, or a mixture of all three. 

• Make it spicy. If you want to add a little spice, chop jalapenos and add them to the cabbage mixture. Or, you can toss in a few red pepper flakes to add some heat to this dish. 

Serving Suggestions 

Wondering what to serve with this delicious casserole? Check out these tempting side dishes:

Ina Garten Greek Salad

A good garden salad is a great complement to this rich and savory dish. Ina Garten’s Greek salad is the perfect balance of fresh flavors. 

Seriously, this isn’t your average side salad. It’s chock full of tasty additions like black olives, cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and tangy feta cheese. 

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Bring on the veggies! Crispy Brussels sprouts pair perfectly with this casserole.

And you can use fresh or frozen sprouts to make your life easier. 

Rosemary Potatoes

Potatoes are the ultimate side dish to any hearty meal. 

These rosemary-roasted potatoes are so good, they might steal the spotlight. They’re rich and garlicky with a kick of spice from the fresh rosemary.  

Storing, Freezing, and Reheating

The great thing about this recipe is there are always leftovers! And don’t worry, storing and reheating this casserole is super easy. 

To Store: Allow the casserole to come to room temperature, and cover it with a lid or plastic wrap. They will keep fresh for up to 4 days in the fridge. 

To Freeze: You can freeze this casserole for up to 3 months! When ready to serve, allow it to thaw in the refrigerator overnight. 

To Reheat: For the entire dish, place it in the oven at 350 degrees and reheat for 15-20 minutes. Or, reheat a single serving in 1-minute increments in the microwave.