Description
A comforting and hearty casserole featuring tender cabbage, savory ground beef, and a luscious cream sauce baked to a golden crust. Perfect for easy weeknight dinners or cozy family meals.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 preferred)
- 1 medium green cabbage (about 1.5 pounds), thinly sliced
- 1 medium yellow onion (about 150g), diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups heavy cream (full fat)
- 1 cup beef broth (low sodium)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (about 115g)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (about 50g)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
Instructions
- Slice the cabbage thinly, dice the onion, and mince the garlic.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Season with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.
- Remove the browned beef with a slotted spoon and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt the remaining butter and add the diced onions. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add the sliced cabbage and cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender but still slightly crunchy. Season with salt and pepper.
- Sprinkle the flour over the cabbage mixture and stir well to coat.
- Slowly pour in the beef broth while whisking to avoid lumps.
- Add the heavy cream and continue stirring until the sauce thickens and coats the cabbage, about 3-4 minutes on medium-low heat. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Return the browned ground beef to the skillet and mix everything evenly.
- Pour the mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top, followed by grated Parmesan cheese.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake uncovered for about 25 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown. Cover loosely with foil if the top browns too fast.
- Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Use fresh shredded cheddar and freshly grated Parmesan for best crust texture. Watch the oven near the end to prevent burning the crust; cover with foil if needed. The casserole can be prepared ahead and refrigerated before baking. Avoid freezing as the cream sauce may separate. For a twist, try ground turkey or pork with extra broth to keep moist. Add extra veggies like mushrooms or carrots for more nutrition.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6th of casserole
- Calories: 420
- Sodium: 500
- Fat: 30
- Saturated Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 25
Keywords: creamed cabbage casserole, ground beef casserole, comfort food, easy casserole, golden crust casserole, weeknight dinner, creamy casserole