Hearty Hamburger and Cabbage Casserole Recipe

Layers of cabbage, ground beef, rice and tomato sauce come together in a simple, satisfying Hamburger Cabbage Casserole that’s both budget-friendly and family-approved.

If you enjoy this dish, try our Ground Beef, Cabbage and Potatoes Skillet or Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole for more comforting meals using similar pantry staples.

Cabbage Casserole with Ground Beef

Simple, everyday ingredients combine to create a flavorful one-dish meal. Cabbage and rice are mild on their own, so the seasoned ground beef and tomato sauce lift the casserole into a hearty family dinner.

This layered casserole balances fresh vegetables, protein and starch into a complete meal. When planning weekly meals, a large head of cabbage is handy — use half for this casserole and the rest in recipes like Kielbasa, Noodles and Cabbage Skillet or Old Fashioned Coleslaw.

Prep is straightforward: brown the hamburger and chop the cabbage a few days ahead if you want to speed up assembly. Once components are ready, the casserole takes only a few minutes to layer before baking.

This recipe was adapted from a Layered Cabbage Roll Casserole that uses sausage. The structure is similar, but using ground beef produces a different flavor profile to keep family meals interesting.

Why This Recipe Works:

• The recipe stretches fresh cabbage (about 8 cups) with pantry basics to make a healthy, vegetable-forward main dish.
• Plain ingredients combine into a comforting casserole the whole family can enjoy year-round.
• If you like a tangier flavor, add about 1 cup of drained sauerkraut under the tomato sauce layer.
• Easy casseroles like this one simplify weeknight cooking and pair well with other simple dishes.

Ingredients Needed:

• Ground beef – 1 pound is standard; use 1½ pounds for a meatier casserole.
• Cabbage – About 8 cups, which is a small head or half of a large head. Chop into pieces slightly smaller than bite-size.
• Onion – About 1 cup chopped (two small or one large). Yellow, white or sweet onions all work.
• Minute rice – One cup of uncooked instant rice sprinkled over the layers so it cooks in the sauce.
• Tomato sauce – 30 ounces (two 15-ounce cans). If needed, substitute 15 ounces of tomato paste mixed with 15 ounces of water. Plain tomato sauce is preferred over seasoned pasta sauce.
• Salt & pepper – Season to taste; a slightly generous hand works well here.

This beef-and-cabbage pairing is classic — we also use it in other comfort recipes like Corned Beef in a Roaster.

How to Make a Hamburger and Cabbage Casserole

1. Brown the ground beef in a skillet and season with salt and pepper. Drain the fat. Set the beef aside and sauté the onions until tender; you can also add the onions to the beef while browning if preferred.

2. Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly coat a 9 × 13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.

3. Chop the cabbage into bite-size squares and spread about 8 cups in an even layer on the bottom of the prepared pan.

4. Add an even layer of the cooked ground beef over the cabbage, then sprinkle the sautéed (or raw) onion over the meat.

5. Sprinkle the uncooked minute rice evenly across the top of the meat and onion layer.

6. Pour the tomato sauce over the rice and spread it into an even layer with a spatula. The sauce provides the liquid the rice needs to cook.

7. Cover the casserole tightly with foil and bake at 350°F for 45 minutes. The foil traps steam so the rice cooks through.

8. Carefully remove the foil (you may need to scrape sauce that clings to it back onto the casserole) and bake uncovered for about 15 more minutes to finish and slightly reduce the sauce.

Serve immediately, or keep covered in a warm oven until ready to eat.

Recipe Tips & Tricks

• To reduce sweetness, use one can of tomato sauce plus half a can of water or one can of beef broth. Keep enough liquid to cook the rice properly.
• If you forget to sauté the onions, they can be added raw and still produce a good flavor after baking.
• For a tangy twist, add 1 to 2 cups of drained sauerkraut beneath the tomato sauce layer.
• You can stir all ingredients together before baking, but reserve at least one can of sauce to pour on top so the rice has enough moisture to cook.

More Easy Family Meals:

Cream Cheese Stuffed Peppers are another simple, flavorful option using everyday ingredients.

Pork and Sauerkraut adds a special ingredient to elevate a basic recipe.

Shrimp Jambalaya delivers bold, savory flavors with plenty of shrimp and vegetables.

A basic Ground Beef Casserole with just a few ingredients is budget-friendly and filling.