Crockpot Cabbage Roll Casserole

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Crockpot Cabbage Roll Casserole

Crockpot Cabbage Roll Casserole gives you all the incredible, comforting flavors of traditional stuffed cabbage rolls—tender cabbage, savory seasoned meat, rice, and a tangy tomato sauce—without any of the tedious rolling and wrapping! It is a fantastic, hands-off layered dish.

1. Essential Ingredients

  • The Cabbage: 1 medium head of green cabbage, cored and roughly chopped into bite-sized pieces.
  • The Meat & Rice Base: 1.5 lbs ground beef (or a mix of ground beef and pork), 1 medium diced onion, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1 cup of uncooked long-grain white rice (rinsed).
  • The Tangy Tomato Sauce:
    • 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
    • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (undrained)
    • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
    • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
    • 1 tsp brown sugar (to balance the acidity)
    • 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
  • The Cheese (Optional Finish): 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese.

2. Step-by-Step Instructions

  • Mix the Meat & Rice: In a bowl, combine your raw ground beef, diced onion, garlic, uncooked rice, salt, and pepper. (Don’t worry, the raw rice will cook right in the slow cooker liquids!)
  • Layer the Crockpot: Lightly grease your slow cooker. Create alternating layers: start with a layer of chopped cabbage at the bottom, then press a portion of the raw meat-and-rice mixture over it. Repeat the layers until you run out of ingredients, finishing with a layer of cabbage on top.
  • Pour the Sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, and seasonings. Pour this rich tomato mixture evenly all over the layers.
  • Time & Temperature: Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 7 hours (or HIGH for 3 to 4 hours) until the rice is tender and the cabbage has melted down into the sauce.
  • Melt the Cheese: If desired, sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top during the last 15 minutes of cooking, put the lid back on, and let it melt into a bubbly crust.

💡 Pro-Tip

Serve this casserole with a dollop of sour cream right on top—it cuts through the rich tomato sauce and adds a fantastic, creamy tang just like traditional stuffed cabbage rolls!
Are you planning to serve this with a side of crusty bread, or keeping it as a hearty all-in-one meal?

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