Ingredients
1 large head green cabbage (about 3 lbs), cored and chopped into 1-1.5 inch pieces
1.5 lbs lean ground beef (or a beef and pork blend)
1 large onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup uncooked white rice, rinsed
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
1.5 cups beef broth
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons light brown sugar (or to taste)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the cabbage by quartering, coring, and chopping it into 1-1.5 inch pieces. Set aside.
Step 2: In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain excess fat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic; sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened and fragrant.
Step 3: Transfer the browned meat mixture to a 6-quart (or larger) slow cooker. Add the rinsed uncooked white rice, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes (undrained), tomato paste, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, dried oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
Step 4: Add about half of the chopped cabbage to the slow cooker. Gently stir it into the meat and rice mixture, pressing down slightly to submerge it.
Step 5: Layer the remaining chopped cabbage on top of the mixture. Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the cabbage is very tender and the rice is fully cooked.
Step 6: About 30 minutes before serving, give the entire casserole a good stir to evenly distribute the ingredients and sauce. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. If the sauce is too thin, cook uncovered on HIGH for the last 30 minutes to reduce slightly.
Step 7: Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if desired, and serve your delicious Crockpot Cabbage Roll Casserole hot.
Notes
For best flavor, don’t skip browning the meat and sautéing the onions and garlic. This step builds the foundation of the casserole’s rich taste. Leftovers store beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, making this a great meal prep option. You can also freeze individual portions for future easy meals.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Dinner Dishes
- Cuisine: American Comfort
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
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