"Unstuffed" Cabbage Casserole

"Unstuffed" Cabbage Casserole"

I think the cooler weather and the changing color of leaves makes me think less about grilling dinner and more about warm comfort casseroles.  I have been revisiting some old recipes and I think this is one everyone will like.  I like stuffed cabbage but I don't like all the work involved in making it.  This quick easy casserole has the great taste of stuffed cabbage without all the work... I literally think I had this casserole mixed up and in the oven in about 10 minutes flat!  This is a budget friendly dish and will feed the entire clan!

"Unstuffed" Cabbage Casserole

1/2 head cabbage ( course chopped)

1 lb. lean ground beef

1 cup long grain rice (not instant)

1 can tomato soup

1 can diced tomatoes

1 med. onion (chopped)

1/4 cup brown sugar

Salt & pepper to taste 

Directions:  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray 9 x 13 casserole dish with non stick cooking spray.  Place 1/2 of cabbage in the casserole dish.  In separate bowl mix the ground beef, rice, and onion.  Spread the meat mixture on top of the layer of chopped cabbage.  Put the other 1/2 of the chopped cabbage on top of the meat mixture.  Season with salt and pepper.  In another bowl mix the can of tomato soup, can of diced tomatoes and the 1/4 cup brown sugar and pour this mixture over cabbage.  Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 1 1/2 hours.

Note:  My original recipe called for 2 cans of tomato soup but I only had 1 so I substituted the the other can with a can of diced tomatoes .. I liked having the extra tomatoes on top but either way works fine!  Over the years I have learned to improvise and sometimes the results turn out better than the original recipe :)!  Also I thought it needed extra salt and pepper when eating it so next time I plan to spice it up a bit more... I might even add some red pepper flakes?

Spray 9 x 13 pan with non stick coating

Coarsely chop 1/2 head of Cabbage and an onion
Place 1/2 of the chopped cabbage in the sprayed 9 x 13" dish

In separate bowl mix raw beef, onions and whole grain rice

Place meat mixture on top of the cabbage in  the casserole dish

Place remainder of cabbage on top of the meat mixture and salt and pepper
(I thought it needed extra salt and pepper when we ate it so you might want to
add an extra pinch because this is all the seasoning that it gets)

Combine the soup, tomatoes (or 2 cans of soup) and brown sugar

Spread soup mixture on top

Cover with foil and bake in a 350 degree oven

Enjoy!