Description
This Southern Style Cabbage Beef Bake combines hearty ground beef, fresh cabbage, and rich cheddar cheese into a comforting casserole. Infused with savory spices and slow baked to perfection, it’s a delicious and easy one-dish meal perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium head of cabbage, chopped
Tomatoes and Broth
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 cup beef broth
Spices and Cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned, stirring occasionally. Once cooked, drain any excess fat to keep the dish from becoming greasy.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Cook until the onion turns translucent, releasing its flavor into the mixture.
- Add Vegetables and Seasonings: Stir in the chopped cabbage, undrained diced tomatoes, beef broth, salt, black pepper, paprika, and dried thyme. Mix everything thoroughly to combine the flavors evenly.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly for uniform cooking.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes to allow the vegetables to soften and flavors to meld.
- Add Cheese and Continue Baking: Remove the foil, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top, and return the dish to the oven. Bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly browned.
- Cool and Serve: Let the casserole rest for a few minutes after baking to set before serving warm.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes along with the paprika and thyme.
- To make this dish gluten free, ensure the beef broth used is gluten free.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated the next day for an easy meal.
- You can substitute cheddar cheese with mozzarella or a blend of cheeses for different flavors.
- If you prefer your cabbage crunchier, reduce the covered baking time by 10 minutes.
