Name: Savory Cabbage Beef Bake
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef; 1 small onion, finely chopped; 1 small cabbage, shredded; 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juice; 1 cup cooked rice; 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; 1 teaspoon paprika; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; Salt and pepper to taste

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There’s something magical about my Savory Cabbage Beef Bake that makes everyone at my table go quiet – that’s how you know it’s good! This hearty one-dish wonder has saved countless busy weeknights in our house, especially when my kids have soccer practice and I’m racing against the clock. It’s the kind of simple, comforting meal that makes you feel like a kitchen hero with minimal effort – just toss everything together, pop it in the oven, and voila! The combination of juicy ground beef, tender cabbage, and savory seasonings creates this irresistible aroma that fills the whole house while it bakes. Trust me, even my vegetable-skeptical husband goes back for seconds when this casserole comes out of the oven.

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Why You’ll Love This Savory Cabbage Beef Bake

This recipe has earned a permanent spot in my dinner rotation for three brilliant reasons:

One-pan magic: From stovetop to oven in a single dish – fewer pans means more time relaxing after dinner (and way less scrubbing!)
Budget hero: Cabbage stretches your dollar beautifully, and you probably have most ingredients in your pantry already
Endless variations: I’ve swapped in everything from mushrooms to bell peppers, and it always works – make it your own!

It’s the kind of fuss-free meal that somehow tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen (our little secret).

Ingredients for Savory Cabbage Beef Bake

Here’s everything you’ll need for this cozy, comforting bake – I swear by these simple ingredients that create magic together:

1 pound ground beef (I use 85/15 lean – just enough fat for flavor without being greasy)
1 small onion, finely chopped (about 1 cup – don’t skip this flavor builder!)
1 small cabbage, shredded (about 6 cups – looks like a mountain but cooks down perfectly)
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juice (the liquid helps steam the cabbage)
1 cup cooked white or brown rice (packed – leftover rice works great here)
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (my secret umami booster)
1 teaspoon paprika (smoked or sweet, both work)
1 teaspoon garlic powder (or 2 fresh cloves if you’re feeling fancy)
Salt and pepper to taste (I’m generous with both)

Ingredient Substitutions

This recipe is wonderfully flexible! When my pantry’s looking bare, I’ll swap ground turkey for beef (just add extra Worcestershire for depth). Quinoa makes a great rice alternative – I use about 1 1/4 cups cooked. Craving heat? A pinch of red pepper flakes wakes up all the flavors beautifully. The cabbage is non-negotiable though – that’s the star!

How to Make Savory Cabbage Beef Bake

Alright, let’s get cooking! This is one of those recipes where everything comes together like magic – just follow these simple steps and you’ll have a bubbling, golden-brown masterpiece in no time. Don’t forget to preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) before you start – I can’t tell you how many times I’ve forgotten this step and had to wait impatiently!

Step 1: Browning the Beef

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat – no oil needed if you’re using 85/15 ground beef like I do. Crumble in that beautiful beef and your chopped onions, breaking the meat into small, even pieces with your wooden spoon. You’ll know it’s ready when those juices run clear and you’ve got some delicious brown bits forming on the bottom of the pan (that’s flavor gold right there!). Drain any excess grease if needed – I usually tilt the pan and spoon it out.

Step 2: Cooking the Vegetables

Now for the cabbage! Pile it all in – yes, it’ll look like way too much, but trust me, it shrinks down like crazy. Give it a good stir to mix with the beef and onions. Cook just until the cabbage starts to soften but still has a bit of crunch, about 3-4 minutes. We’re not making mush here – that slight crispness makes all the difference in texture when it comes out of the oven!

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Step 3: Combining Ingredients

Time to bring the whole party together! Dump in those diced tomatoes (juice and all), your cooked rice, Worcestershire sauce, and all those lovely spices. Stir everything really well – I mean get in there and make sure every grain of rice and shred of cabbage is coated and happy. This is where the magic happens, folks! Once it’s thoroughly mixed, transfer it to your favorite baking dish (I use my trusty 9×13 ceramic one) and smooth the top like you’re frosting a cake.

Pop it in your preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until it’s bubbling around the edges and has that gorgeous golden top. And here’s my grandma’s secret – let it rest for 5 minutes after baking. I know it smells incredible and you’ll want to dive right in, but this waiting time lets all those flavors settle and makes serving so much easier!

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