Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and grated (about 2 cups)
- 1 pound lean ground beef (90/10)
- 1½ teaspoons kosher salt, divided
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, divided
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 14.5 ounces can fire-roasted crushed tomatoes
- ¾ cup water
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (substitute coconut aminos for gluten-free option)
- 2 cups cooked white rice
- 1 small head green cabbage, cored and chopped or shredded (about 9 cups loosely packed or 630 g)
- 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Sauté Carrots: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a Dutch oven or large oven-safe skillet with high sides over medium-high heat. Add the grated carrots and sauté until they just begin to soften, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Brown the Ground Beef: Add 1 pound lean ground beef to the skillet, breaking it into crumbles. Season with ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, and paprika. Cook the beef until browned, about 7 minutes.
- Add Garlic and Tomato Paste: Stir in the minced garlic and tomato paste, cooking for about 1 minute until fragrant, while stirring constantly.
- Simmer the Sauce: Pour in the fire-roasted crushed tomatoes, ¾ cup water, Worcestershire sauce, and add the remaining 1 teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Bring mixture to a simmer, cover, reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer, and cook for about 7 minutes.
- Cook Cabbage and Rice: Stir in the cooked white rice and chopped cabbage. Cover and continue cooking for 10 minutes, or until the cabbage becomes tender, stirring occasionally.
- Season to Taste: Taste the casserole and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Broil with Cheese: Preheat the broiler. Sprinkle 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese evenly over the casserole. Place under the broiler for about 1 minute until the cheese is lightly browned. Watch closely to prevent burning.
- Serve: Spoon the casserole onto plates and enjoy your warm, flavorful meal.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, substitute Worcestershire sauce with coconut aminos.
- Using lean ground beef (90/10) helps keep the dish lower in fat.
- Make sure to watch the casserole closely during broiling to avoid burning the cheese.
- Cook the rice ahead of time or use leftover rice for convenience.
- This recipe can be doubled to serve a larger crowd and stores well for leftovers.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
