Cabbage Roll Casserole

This cabbage roll casserole gives you all the comforting flavor of traditional cabbage rolls with much less effort. It’s a simple, one-pan meal where cabbage, rice, and lentils are baked together in a savory tomato sauce.

With about 15 minutes of prep, this dish is easy to assemble. It bakes into a hearty and satisfying dinner, complete with a creamy, cheesy topping.

Why will you love Cabbage Roll Casserole?

Baking everything in one dish means less cleanup and lets the flavors meld together as they cook.

The blended cottage cheese topping creates a rich, creamy layer without the heaviness of a traditional cream sauce.

Covering the casserole for the first part of baking steams the cabbage and rice, ensuring they become tender.

Cabbage Roll Casserole Ingredients

• Cabbage: A standard green cabbage works well. You can also use savoy cabbage for a slightly different texture.

• Rice: Long-grain white rice is recommended. Brown rice can be used, but it will need a longer baking time and possibly more liquid.

• Lentils: Canned brown or green lentils are a convenient choice. If you prefer to cook your own, you’ll need about 1 ¾ cups of cooked lentils.

• Cottage Cheese: Whole milk cottage cheese provides the creamiest texture. Low-fat can be used, but the topping may be less rich.

• Tomatoes: A 28-ounce can of diced tomatoes is standard. You can also use crushed tomatoes for a smoother sauce.

Exact quantities are in the recipe card below.

How to Make Cabbage Roll Casserole

Step 1: Combine and Bake

Start by preheating your oven. In a large baking dish, mix together the rice, warm broth, cabbage, tomatoes, lentils, onion, and seasonings. Stir everything well, cover the dish tightly with foil, and bake until the cabbage has softened.

Step 2: Prepare the Topping

While the base is in the oven, make the creamy topping. Simply blend the cottage cheese with cornstarch until it’s smooth. This quick step creates a protein-rich layer for the casserole.

Step 3: Add Topping and Finish Baking

Once the first bake is done, remove the foil and spread the blended cottage cheese over the casserole. Sprinkle with mozzarella and return it to the oven, uncovered. Bake until the cheese is melted and golden brown.

What to Serve with Cabbage Roll Casserole

This casserole is a complete meal on its own. A simple side of crusty bread for soaking up the sauce would be a nice addition.

Helpful Tricks for Cabbage Roll Casserole

For a non-vegetarian version, you can replace the lentils with 1 pound of cooked ground beef or turkey. Brown the meat with the onion and garlic before adding it to the casserole.

Make sure to use warm broth. This helps the rice cook evenly and reduces the overall baking time.

Covering the dish tightly with foil is important for the first bake. It traps steam, which helps cook the cabbage and rice properly.

Letting the casserole rest before serving is key. It will be very hot and loose straight from the oven, and resting helps it firm up.

How to Store and Freeze Cabbage Roll Casserole

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. This dish does not freeze well, as the texture of the cottage cheese topping can change upon thawing. Reheat individual portions in the microwave until warmed through.

Cabbage Roll Casserole Recipe FAQs

Can I use ground meat instead of lentils?

Yes, this recipe works well with meat. Brown 1 pound of ground beef, turkey, or pork with the onions and garlic, drain any excess fat, and then mix it into the casserole in place of the lentils.

My rice didn’t cook all the way through. What went wrong?

This can happen if the dish wasn’t covered tightly enough with foil, allowing steam to escape, or if the broth wasn’t warm when added. Ensure the foil is sealed around the edges for the first bake.

Can I prepare this casserole ahead of time?

You can assemble the base ingredients (everything except the cheese topping) up to a day in advance and store it covered in the refrigerator. You may need to add 10-15 minutes to the initial baking time since you’re starting from cold.

Cabbage Roll Casserole

This easy casserole has all the flavors of cabbage rolls, baked in one dish with a creamy, cheesy topping.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 35 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Ingredients

  

• ¾ cup long-grain white rice 150g
• 1 ½ cups vegetable broth warmed, 360ml
• 1 medium head cabbage cored and chopped into bite-sized pieces, about 2 lbs / 900g
• 1 can diced tomatoes undrained, 28 oz / 794g
• 1 can brown or green lentils rinsed and drained, 15 oz / 425g
• ½ medium yellow onion finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tub whole milk cottage cheese 24 oz / 680g
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch 16g
• 8 ounces mozzarella cheese shredded, 225g

Instructions

 

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
• In a 9x13-inch (23x33 cm) baking dish, combine the uncooked rice, warm vegetable broth, chopped cabbage, undrained diced tomatoes, lentils, onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir well until everything is mixed.
• Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until the cabbage is tender and the rice is mostly cooked through.
• While the casserole bakes, prepare the topping. In a blender, combine the cottage cheese and cornstarch. Blend until completely smooth and creamy.
• Carefully remove the foil from the baking dish. Pour the blended cottage cheese mixture over the top and spread it into an even layer.
• Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the cottage cheese layer.
• Return the casserole to the oven, uncovered. Bake for another 20 to 30 minutes, until the topping is bubbly and lightly browned in spots.
• Let the casserole rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. This allows it to set and makes it easier to slice.

Notes

For a non-vegetarian version, you can replace the lentils with 1 pound of cooked ground beef or turkey. Brown the meat with the onion and garlic before adding it to the casserole.

Make sure to use warm broth. This helps the rice cook evenly and reduces the overall baking time.

Covering the dish tightly with foil is important for the first bake. It traps steam, which helps cook the cabbage and rice properly.

Letting the casserole rest before serving is key. It will be very hot and loose straight from the oven, and resting helps it firm up.

Keyword Cabbage, cabbage roll casserole, Casserole, comfort food, vegetarian