Description
This Low Carb Unstuffed Cabbage Casserole is a hearty, Keto-friendly dish that combines ground beef, tender cabbage, and a flavorful tomato sauce topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a comforting dinner that’s both low in carbs and gluten-free, it’s easy to prepare and great for meal prepping.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small head green cabbage, chopped (about 6 cups)
Tomato Sauce and Seasonings
- 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes (with juices)
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce (no sugar added)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Cheese and Garnish
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Brown the Meat: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain excess fat if needed to keep the dish low in fat.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 2–3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Cook Cabbage: Stir in the chopped cabbage and cook for about 5–7 minutes, until the cabbage begins to soften and reduce in volume.
- Add Tomatoes and Seasonings: Mix in the diced tomatoes with their juices, tomato sauce, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Stir well to combine all flavors.
- Simmer Mixture: Allow the mixture to cook for another 5 minutes, enabling the flavors to meld and the cabbage to become tender.
- Assemble Casserole: Transfer the cabbage and meat mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly over the top of the mixture.
- Bake: Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden.
- Rest and Serve: Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired for a fresh finish.
Notes
- This recipe is keto-friendly and reheats well, making it ideal for meal prepping.
- Add cauliflower rice or chopped bell peppers to increase volume and nutritional value.
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based meat alternatives to suit your dietary preferences.
