Cabbage Beef Bake
A delightful blend of shredded cabbage, lean ground beef, and a creamy tomato sauce, this Cabbage Beef Bake is a comforting dish perfect for family gatherings or busy weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Base
- 1 small cabbage, shredded
Meat Mixture
- 1.5 lbs lean ground beef (or lean ground turkey) Substitute with ground turkey for a lighter option.
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 0.5 cup chopped red bell pepper
- 1 15 ounce can diced tomatoes, undrained
Seasonings
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon caraway seeds
Creamy Topping
- 1 8 ounce can tomato sauce
- 1 cup reduced-fat sour cream Can replace with low-fat cream cheese or Greek yogurt.
- 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese Feel free to experiment with other cheeses.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a deep 13 x 9 baking dish by lightly greasing or spraying it with cooking spray.
- Place the shredded cabbage at the bottom of the baking dish, creating a cozy base for the rest of the ingredients. Set aside.
Cooking
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, brown and crumble the ground beef (or turkey) with the chopped onion and red bell pepper until the meat is cooked through. Drain excess fat and return the mixture to the skillet.
- Stir in the undrained diced tomatoes, salt, pepper, sugar, and caraway seeds. Mix everything well to ensure the flavors meld together beautifully. Spread this savory mixture evenly over the cabbage in the baking dish.
- In a small bowl, blend together the tomato sauce and sour cream until smooth. Spread this creamy mixture over the beef layer in the baking dish.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour.
- After an hour, remove the foil and evenly sprinkle the shredded Swiss cheese on top. Return the dish to the oven uncovered and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Notes
For added flavor, consider sautéing garlic with the onions and bell peppers. Let the bake rest for about 10-15 minutes after baking to make it easier to cut and serve. Pair with a fresh salad or whole-wheat bread for a complete meal.