The Heartiest Cabbage Beef Bake Recipe for Cozy Family Dinners

Comfort meets creativity in this hearty cabbage beef bake that promises to delight your taste buds.

Layers of tender meat and crisp vegetables meld together in a symphony of flavors.

Weeknight dinners demand something special, and this dish delivers with its rich, satisfying profile.

Home cooks adore how simple ingredients create such a memorable meal.

Nutritious and filling, the recipe brings warmth to your table without complicated techniques.

Seasonal vegetables and quality ground beef form the perfect partnership in this crowd-pleasing casserole.

Let you dive into a culinary experience that transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary dinner.

Why Cabbage Beef Bake Is So Hearty And Filling

• Boost Comfort: Dive into a hearty, satisfying meal that wraps you in warmth with layers of tender cabbage, rich beef, and melted cheese.
• Simplify Cooking: Master this one-pan wonder that requires minimal prep and delivers maximum flavor, perfect for busy home cooks seeking delicious results.
• Family Dinner Champion: Create a crowd-pleasing dish that brings everyone together, offering a nutritious and filling meal packed with protein and vegetables.
• Versatile Meal Maker: Adapt this recipe easily by swapping ingredients or adding your favorite spices, making it a flexible option for different taste preferences.

What You’ll Need For Cabbage Beef Bake

• Ground Beef: A flavorful and hearty base that provides rich, meaty depth to the casserole.
• Beef Chuck: Tender, cubed meat that adds extra texture and beef intensity to the dish.

• Onions, Garlic: Create a foundational flavor profile with their aromatic and savory characteristics.

• Worcestershire Sauce: Adds a complex, tangy depth that boosts the overall meat flavor.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance the dish's taste.
• Beef Broth: Provides moisture and enriches the casserole with deep meat flavor.
• Tomato Sauce: Contributes acidity and helps create a moist, cohesive texture.

• Cabbage: A nutritious and sturdy vegetable that forms the bottom layer of the casserole.
• Breadcrumbs: Creates a crispy, golden topping that adds textural contrast.
• Cheddar Cheese: Melts to form a deliciously golden and creamy final layer.

• Olive Oil: Helps prevent sticking and adds a light, subtle flavor.
• Aluminum Foil: Covers the dish during initial baking to retain moisture.

Steps To Make Cabbage Beef Bake Quickly

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Set your oven to a toasty 375°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil for a non-stick surface.

Step 2: Brown The Meaty Goodness

In a large skillet, sizzle ground beef and beef chuck over medium-high heat. Break the meat into delectable crumbly pieces until no pink remains, creating a rich, flavorful base.

Step 3: Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

• Diced onions
• Minced garlic

Sauté until onions become translucent and release their mouth-watering fragrance, infusing the meat with deep, savory notes.

Step 4: Season The Meat Mixture

Splash in Worcestershire sauce, then sprinkle salt and black pepper. Stir thoroughly to distribute seasonings evenly, creating a robust flavor profile.

Step 5: Create The Cabbage Foundation

Spread chopped cabbage across the bottom of the prepared baking dish, forming a dense, nutritious base for the casserole.

Step 6: Layer The Seasoned Meat

Generously spread the seasoned meat mixture over the cabbage, ensuring complete and even coverage.

Step 7: Add Moisture And Flavor

• Beef broth
• Tomato sauce

Distribute evenly across the meat layer to keep the casserole juicy and intensify its rich taste.

Step 8: Add Crispy Topping

Sprinkle breadcrumbs across the surface, promising a delightful crunch with every bite.

Step 9: Initial Baking

Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 35 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and ingredients to tenderize.

Step 10: Cheese And Final Bake

Remove foil and generously top with shredded cheddar cheese. Return to the oven for 10-15 minutes until cheese melts and edges turn a gorgeous golden brown.

Step 11: Rest And Serve

Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes. This crucial step helps the layers set and allows flavors to fully develop, transforming a good dish into an extraordinary meal.

Tips To Get Cabbage Beef Bake Just Right

• Layer Strategically: Arrange cabbage in a compact, even layer to create a sturdy base that absorbs meat juices and prevents soggy bottom.
• Boost Flavor Depth: Mix different meat cuts like ground beef and chuck for richer, more complex taste profile and improved texture.
• Control Moisture Carefully: Cover with foil initially to prevent drying, then uncover to allow cheese and breadcrumbs to crisp perfectly.
• Cheese Melting Trick: Shred cheese fresh for better melting and more even coverage across the casserole's surface.
• Rest Before Serving: Let casserole sit 5-10 minutes after baking to stabilize layers and allow flavors to meld together beautifully.

Fun Flavor Ideas For Cabbage Beef Bake

• Low-Carb Cauliflower Casserole: Replace cabbage with riced cauliflower for a keto-friendly version, maintaining the same meat and seasoning profile while reducing carbohydrate content.
• Vegetarian Lentil Bake: Swap beef with brown lentils and plant-based ground meat alternative, using vegetable broth instead of beef broth for a protein-packed meatless dish.
• Gluten-Free Herb Option: Substitute breadcrumbs with crushed pork rinds or almond flour, adding dried herbs like thyme and rosemary for extra flavor complexity.
• Mediterranean-Inspired Variation: Incorporate feta cheese instead of cheddar, add diced bell peppers, and season with oregano and fresh parsley for a Greek-style casserole experience.

What Goes Well With Cabbage Beef Bake

• Pair Hearty Red Wine: Bold, robust red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec complement the rich, meaty flavors of this beef and cabbage casserole, cutting through the richness with their tannic structure.
• Enhance with Fresh Sauerkraut Side: Tangy, fermented sauerkraut provides a zesty contrast to the hearty casserole, adding bright acidity that balances the dish's deep, savory notes.
• Match with Crusty Sourdough Bread: Rustic, crusty sourdough bread serves as the perfect accompaniment, helping to soak up the delicious meat juices and providing a satisfying textural counterpoint.

How To Keep Cabbage Beef Bake Fresh

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Transfer cooled casserole to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, lasting up to 3 months with minimal flavor loss.
• Place individual portions on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat at 50% power for 1-2 minutes, stirring midway to ensure even warming.
• Preheat oven to 350°F, cover casserole with foil to prevent drying, warm for 15-20 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F, then remove foil for a final crispy cheese topping.

Cabbage Beef Bake FAQ Quick Guide

• Why use both ground beef and beef chuck?

The combination provides varied texture and deeper meat flavor, with ground beef offering tenderness and chuck adding rich, robust meaty notes.

• Can I make this dish gluten-free?

Yes, simply substitute regular breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers to maintain the crispy topping.

• How do I prevent the cabbage from becoming soggy?

Layer the cabbage tightly and evenly, ensuring it’s chopped into uniform pieces, which helps it maintain structure during baking and absorb flavors without becoming mushy.

• Is this recipe freezer-friendly?

Absolutely! You can prepare the entire casserole, cool completely, then freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven until warmed through.

Filling Cabbage Beef Bake Recipe

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4.8 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 65-70 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Cabbage Beef Bake delivers comforting midwest charm with layers of ground beef, tender cabbage, and melted cheese. Rustic flavors blend seamlessly, promising a satisfying meal you’ll crave on chilly evenings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 0.5 lb beef chuck, cubed

Vegetables:

• 1 medium head cabbage, chopped
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Pantry and Seasonings:

• 0.5 cup breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 0.25 cup beef broth
• 0.5 cup tomato sauce

Dairy:

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish with a light coating of olive oil.
2. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef and cubed beef chuck over medium-high heat, breaking the meat into crumbly pieces until no pink remains.
3. Add diced onions and minced garlic to the meat, sautéing until the onions become translucent and fragrant.
4. Incorporate Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper into the meat mixture, stirring to distribute the seasonings evenly.
5. Layer the chopped cabbage as the base of the prepared baking dish, creating an even, dense foundation.
6. Spread the seasoned meat mixture directly over the cabbage, ensuring complete coverage.
7. Pour beef broth and tomato sauce evenly across the meat layer to maintain moisture and enhance flavor.
8. Sprinkle breadcrumbs across the top of the dish for a crispy texture.
9. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 35 minutes.
10. Remove foil, top with shredded cheddar cheese, and return to the oven for an additional 10-15 minutes until cheese melts and edges become golden brown.
11. Allow the casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to help set the layers and intensify the flavors.

Notes

• Customize the meat blend by mixing ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner or vegetarian version.
• Enhance the depth of flavor by adding a splash of red wine or balsamic vinegar during the meat browning stage for a rich, complex taste profile.
• Boost nutritional value by incorporating additional vegetables like diced bell peppers or mushrooms into the meat mixture for extra texture and nutrients.
• Create a low-carb option by replacing breadcrumbs with crushed pork rinds or almond flour for a crispy topping that adds crunch without excess carbohydrates.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50-55 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 366
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 686 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 16 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 23 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg