Cheesy Cabbage Casserole – Cozy, Creamy, and Family-Friendly

Cheesy Cabbage Casserole is a hearty, oven-baked comfort dish loaded with tender cabbage, savory ground beef, and a rich, cheesy sauce. Everything bakes together into a bubbly, golden casserole with soft layers underneath and gooey, melted cheese on top. It’s the kind of cozy weeknight dinner that feels like a hug in a baking dish.

This recipe combines simple ingredients—cabbage, ground beef, tomato, and melty cheese—with a creamy binder to hold it all together. The cabbage softens in the oven, soaking up flavor from the sauce and meat, while the cheese gives every bite a stretchy, satisfying finish.

Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or meal prep, this Cheesy Cabbage Casserole is one of those dishes that’s unexpectedly addicting—and even picky eaters tend to go back for seconds.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Cozy & Comforting – Warm, cheesy, and packed with hearty flavor.
Family-Friendly – Simple ingredients and familiar flavors everyone recognizes.
Budget-Friendly – Uses cabbage, ground beef, and pantry staples.
Great for Leftovers – Reheats well and tastes even better the next day.

Ingredients

For the Casserole:

• 1 medium green cabbage (about 2–2½ lb / 900–1100 g), cored and chopped into bite-sized pieces
• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (14 oz / 400 g) diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 cup tomato sauce (or passata)
• ½ cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or other melty cheese)
• 1 tsp paprika (sweet or smoked)
• 1 tsp dried oregano (or Italian seasoning)
• ½ tsp dried thyme (optional)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 1–2 tbsp olive oil (if needed for sautéing)

Optional Garnish:

• Chopped fresh parsley
• Extra grated cheese

Instructions

Prep the Cabbage
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch (or similar) baking dish.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Add the chopped cabbage and cook for 3–4 minutes just until slightly softened.
Drain well and set aside (press out excess water with a spoon or towel if needed).

Cook the Beef Mixture
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add ground beef (and a splash of olive oil if your beef is very lean).
Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink. Drain excess fat if needed.
Add chopped onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened.
Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.

Build the Sauce
To the skillet, add diced tomatoes (with their juices), tomato sauce, paprika, oregano, thyme (if using), salt, and black pepper.
Stir and let simmer for 5–7 minutes so the flavors meld and the sauce thickens slightly.
Remove from heat and stir in the sour cream or Greek yogurt until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning.

Assemble the Casserole
Spread half of the blanched cabbage in an even layer in the prepared baking dish.
Spoon half of the beef-tomato mixture over the cabbage and spread evenly.
Sprinkle with half of the mozzarella and half of the cheddar.
Repeat layers: remaining cabbage, remaining beef mixture, and the rest of the cheese on top.

Bake
Cover the dish loosely with foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for another 10–15 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese is melted and lightly golden.

Serve
Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for about 5–10 minutes to set slightly.
Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
Slice into squares and serve warm.

Nutritional Information

(Approximate per serving, 1 of 6)

• Calories: ~430
• Protein: 26g
• Fat: 28g
• Carbohydrates: 16g
• Sugar: 7g
• Fiber: 3g

Tips for Success

Drain the Cabbage Well – Excess water can make the casserole watery; press it out after boiling.
Season in Layers – Taste and season the beef mixture before layering so the flavors are balanced.
Cheese Mix is Flexible – Use any mix of mozzarella, cheddar, Monterey Jack, or similar melty cheeses.
Let It Rest – A short rest after baking helps the casserole slice neatly and keeps the layers together.

Why This Recipe Works

Lightly pre-cooking the cabbage keeps it tender without turning it mushy, and it helps release extra moisture. The beef-tomato mixture adds savory depth and a slight tang, while sour cream (or yogurt) brings creaminess that binds everything together. A generous topping of melty cheese gives you that classic casserole comfort factor.

Layered and baked, the ingredients meld into a rich, hearty dish where every forkful has cabbage, sauce, meat, and gooey cheese. This Cheesy Cabbage Casserole is simple, satisfying, and perfect for when you want comfort food that feeds a crowd.