Description
Polish cabbage casserole brings hearty comfort to family dinner tables across Eastern Europe. Layers of tender cabbage, savory meat, and rich seasonings create a satisfying meal you’ll crave during cold winter nights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 6 cups cabbage (1 small head), chopped
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 cup rice, cooked
Instructions
- Vegetable Preparation: Blanch chopped cabbage in salted boiling water for 5 minutes, drain thoroughly, and set aside for layering.
- Meat Mixture: In a skillet over medium heat, brown ground beef with onions and garlic until meat is caramelized and onions become translucent. Drain excess fat and incorporate tomatoes, tomato paste, broth, paprika, thyme, salt, pepper, and cooked rice. Simmer mixture for 5 minutes to develop rich flavors.
- Casserole Assembly: Layer baking dish with alternating portions of cabbage and meat mixture, ensuring complete and even coverage. Create two distinct layers to maximize flavor distribution.
- Cheese Topping: Generously sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses across the casserole’s surface, creating a uniform golden-brown protective layer.
- Baking Process: Cover casserole with aluminum foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking for additional 10 minutes until cheese melts and becomes bubbly with slightly crisp edges.
- Finishing Touch: Allow casserole to rest 5-10 minutes after removing from oven. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving to enhance visual appeal and add subtle herbal notes.
Notes
- Soften Cabbage Carefully: Blanch cabbage for exactly 5 minutes to prevent overcooking, maintaining a tender yet crisp texture without becoming mushy.
- Control Meat Moisture: Drain excess fat from ground beef thoroughly to prevent a greasy casserole and ensure a clean, rich flavor profile.
- Layer Strategically: Create even, compact layers to guarantee consistent flavor distribution and prevent dry or overly wet sections in the casserole.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Remove foil during final baking stage to achieve a perfectly golden, bubbling cheese topping with attractive caramelized edges.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg