This Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Casserole makes weeknight dinners simple, comforting, and satisfying. Packed with ground beef, cabbage, tomatoes, cauliflower rice and melted cheese, it’s an easy one-dish meal that delivers classic stuffed-cabbage flavor without the work. This version is low-carb and keto-friendly, but can be adapted for any diet.
Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Casserole
This hearty casserole is inspired by traditional stuffed cabbage rolls but skips steaming and rolling. Brown the ground beef, chop the cabbage, stir everything together, and bake. It’s fast to prepare, full of familiar tomato-and-beef flavor, and finished with a golden layer of cheese.
What is Keto Stuffed Cabbage
Stuffed cabbage is a retro comfort dish of seasoned ground beef and rice wrapped in cabbage leaves and simmered in tomato sauce. To make it keto-friendly, this recipe replaces rice with cauliflower rice. If you prefer a non-keto version, plain rice works as well. For best texture with cauliflower rice, use raw, finely grated cauliflower rather than pre-cooked rice so it won’t get mushy.
Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Recipe
This casserole transforms humble cabbage into a flavorful, comforting main. The mix of tomatoes, onions, ground beef and cheese gives the dish a rich, satisfying profile while cabbage provides body and a slightly crisp-tender texture that stands in nicely for pasta or rice.
Can I Use Red Cabbage in This Recipe?
You can swap red cabbage for green cabbage, and the dish will still taste great. The change is mostly visual—red cabbage has a slightly stronger flavor and a bolder color, which may alter the appearance but won’t substantially change the overall taste or texture. Choose whichever cabbage is fresher or on sale.
The casserole holds up well and reheats easily, making it a practical choice for meal prep or leftovers. Serve it straight from the oven with a sprinkle of extra cheese or fresh herbs if you like.
What To Serve With Lazy Cabbage Rolls Casserole
As a complete, low-carb meal this casserole is often all you need. If you want extra vegetables, steamed broccoli, roasted asparagus, or cauliflower make great sides. For non-keto eaters, serve over rice or alongside crusty bread to soak up the tomato-beef sauce.
Can Cabbage Casserole be Frozen?
Yes. Assemble the casserole in a disposable baking pan and allow it to cool completely before covering and labeling. Freeze for up to four months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking for best results; if baking from frozen, add about 30 minutes to the baking time.
More Keto Friendly Recipes
If you’re planning a low-carb meal plan, these other family-friendly keto recipes pair well with the casserole and offer variety throughout the week.
- Instant Pot Peanut Chicken — a quick, crowd-pleasing entrée that’s great with vegetables or cauliflower rice.
- Keto Ground Beef Casserole — a hearty beef-based bake for another easy family meal.
- Keto Southwestern Quiche — a lighter option perfect for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
More Of Our Dinner Recipes
- Easy Chicken Bryan
- Chili Dog Casserole
- Slow Cooker BBQ Pork Shoulder
How to Make an Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Casserole
Below is a concise recipe you can follow. It yields approximately eight servings and is simple to prepare.
Keto Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Casserole
8
15 minutes
10 minutes
25 minutes
Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Casserole is a quick, family-friendly low-carb meal that delivers the flavors of classic stuffed cabbage without the fuss.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup cauliflower rice, not pre-cooked
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 head cabbage, cored and chopped
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9×13-inch casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook ground beef and diced onion over medium heat until the beef is browned and crumbled. Stir in minced garlic, then drain excess fat and return the mixture to the pot.
- Add the diced tomatoes and seasonings, stirring to combine.
- Add the chopped cabbage on top of the sauce, cover the pot, and cook until the cabbage begins to wilt, stirring occasionally.
- Transfer the cabbage and beef mixture to the prepared casserole dish. Stir in the raw cauliflower rice, then top with shredded cheddar.
- Bake covered with foil for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake an additional 5–10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Let rest a few minutes before serving.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8
Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 258
Total Fat: 15g
Carbohydrates: 8g
Net Carbohydrates: 4g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 21g
Nutrition facts are estimates and may vary based on exact ingredients and brands.
