Pioneer Woman’s Cabbage Casserole has all the flavors of cabbage rolls but involves a lot less labor than making cabbage rolls from scratch. The leftovers are delicious, whether they are reheated in the microwave or eaten cold straight from the refrigerator.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• This dish, which is also known as lazy cabbage rolls due to how easy it is to prepare, is a casserole.
• It is perfect for rewarming and can also be frozen for later use. It is also perfect for serving a family.
• Changing out the rice in this dish for cauliflower that has been riced will help reduce the number of carbohydrates in the recipe.
• Cheese is an optional topping, so feel free to omit it if that’s your preference.

Can Cabbage Casserole Be Prepared in a Skillet?

Yes, the cabbage can be cooked in the same skillet as what you use to produce the rest of the dish.

Pioneer Woman’s Cabbage Casserole Ingredients

In order to prepare this delicious cabbage casserole, you will only require a few basic items. The recipe card that follows includes the precise measurements in their entirety. The following is an outline of the things that you will require.

• Olive Oil. This savory oil is one of my absolute favorites to use in the kitchen. However, if you would rather use an oil that has a higher smoke point, you may substitute avocado oil for the olive oil called for in the recipe.
• Lean Ground Beef. I use a combination of 85% lean meat and 15% fat in my recipe.
• Onion and Garlic. Although you can use jarred garlic, the flavor of freshly minced garlic will be superior.
• Seasonings. I use kosher salt, black pepper, paprika, thyme, and cayenne pepper.
• Diced Tomatoes. Make sure you drain them completely before using them.
• Green Cabbage. Since it is ideal for cabbage to have a rough chop, it is advisable to buy a complete head of cabbage and chop it yourself rather than buying pre-chopped cabbage. The cabbage that is sold bagged and chopped is often very finely cut.
• Shredded Cheddar. The dish has a wonderful taste that is enhanced by the use of extra-sharp cheddar.

Can I Add Rice to Cabbage Casserole?

Rice is typically included in the preparation of cabbage rolls but, in my opinion, there is no need to use rice in this dish. In fact, not a single one of my casseroles has any kind of starchy component, and we don’t feel the least bit deprived as a result.

Should I Cook the Cabbage Before Adding it to the Casserole?

You could give it a quick steam, but I don’t think it’s necessary to take that further step. It is quite OK to just combine the cabbage with the ground beef in its raw state and then boil the mixture until the cabbage is soft.

Can I Use Red Cabbage?

I don’t recommend using red cabbage as it can affect the appearance of this dish. Green cabbage is my personal preference in this casserole.

How to Make Pioneer Woman’s Cabbage Casserole

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Coat a 2-quart (7 x 11-inch) baking dish with butter.
• Heat the olive oil in a large, deep pan set over medium heat. Add the ground beef, onion, salt, and pepper to the pan; cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until the beef is browned, about 5 minutes.
• Add the garlic, paprika, thyme, and cayenne, and continue to cook while stirring for 30 seconds.
• Add the chopped cabbage and the drained tomatoes, and continue cooking, stirring often, for approximately 5 minutes, or until the cabbage is soft.
• Remove the pan from the heat and mix in 1 cup of the shredded cheese.
• Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish with a slotted spoon. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
• Bake uncovered for 20 to 30 minutes until bubbling and the cheese is browned.
• Before serving, let the dish rest for 10 minutes.

What to Serve With Cabbage Casserole?

• Roasted Chicken with Garlic & Herbs
• Meatloaf
• Ham and Cheese Sliders
• Macaroni and Cheese
• Chicken Nuggets and Fries
• Hot Dogs
• Meatballs
• Creamy Garlic Butter Spaghetti
• Chicken Soup with Noodles
• Burgers
• Steak
• Tacos
• Fried Rice

Recipe Variations

This dish is perfect in its current form, and I usually always prepare it in the manner in which it is stated. However, if you feel like shaking things up a bit from the standard recipe, I have some suggestions for you.

• You may use ghee or avocado oil instead of the olive oil for cooking the meat mixture instead.
• Instead of ground beef, you could use ground pork.
• Feel free to change up the spices you use. This dish tastes wonderful when seasoned with ground cumin and dried thyme.
• You may substitute the cheddar with other melty cheeses such as provolone or shredded mozzarella even though they have a more subdued taste.

How to Store Cabbage Casserole

• In The Fridge. The leftover cabbage casserole may be stored in the refrigerator for three to four days if it is placed in a container that is airtight. This casserole, like many others, taste the best after it has been stored in the refrigerator for a day or two, making it an ideal candidate to be prepared in advance.
• In The Freezer. After allowing the cabbage casserole to cool to room temperature, any leftovers can be stored in the freezer for up to three months in freezer-safe bags or airtight containers and reheated another day.
• To Reheat. Defrost the cabbage casserole in the refrigerator overnight, and then either cover it and heat it in the microwave on 50% power until hot, or heat it in the oven using a dish that is suitable for the oven and covering it with aluminum foil.

Cabbage Casserole Recipe Tips

The preparation of this casserole couldn’t be much easier; however, I do have a few simple pointers to share with you to help you get the most out of this substantial dish. I have also provided some suggestions for tasty variations.

• Cabbage Substitutes. For this dish, I like to use standard green cabbage; however, savoy or napa cabbage would also work in its place if you find yourself in need of a replacement.
• Tomato Substitutions. You can substitute the crushed tomatoes with diced tomatoes or tomatoes that have been strained, but make sure not to drain the liquid.
• Add Sausage. You can make things a bit more interesting by substituting half of the ground beef with ground Italian sausage — it’s not conventional, but it’s delicious!

Pioneer Woman’s Cabbage Casserole Nutrition Facts

Amount Per Serving

• Calories 207.9
• Total Fat 13.6 g
• Saturated Fat 4.3 g
• Cholesterol 30.2 mg
• Sodium 114.1 mg
• Potassium 577.4 mg
• Total Carbohydrate 11.7 g
• Dietary Fiber 4.3 g
• Sugars 0 g
• Protein 11.7 g
• Vitamin A 8.7%
• Vitamin C 88.2%
• Calcium 12.2%
• Iron 11.1%

Nutrition Facts Source: Source