Description
This Southern Style Cabbage Beef Bake is a hearty and comforting casserole that combines ground beef, fresh cabbage, diced tomatoes, and aromatic spices, all topped with melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for a family dinner, this dish offers a delicious blend of savory flavors baked to perfection in the oven.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Vegetables
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium head of cabbage, chopped
Additional Ingredients
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Preheat the oven. Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the casserole.
- Brown the ground beef. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until it is fully browned. Drain any excess fat to keep the dish from being greasy.
- Sauté onion and garlic. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef and continue cooking until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant.
- Add cabbage and seasonings. Stir in the chopped cabbage, diced tomatoes with their juices, beef broth, salt, black pepper, paprika, and dried thyme. Mix everything thoroughly to combine all the flavors.
- Transfer to baking dish. Move the mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Bake covered. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for 45 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the cabbage to soften.
- Add cheese and finish baking. Remove the foil, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top, and return the dish to the oven for an additional 10 to 15 minutes until the cheese has melted and is bubbly.
- Cool before serving. Let the casserole rest for a few minutes after baking to set, then serve warm.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili flakes when adding the seasonings.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- For a lower fat version, use lean ground beef or substitute with ground turkey or chicken.
- This dish pairs well with cornbread or a simple green salad for a complete meal.
