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    Home » Recipes

    Published: Dec 6, 2021 ·Updated: Dec 6, 2021 by Sabra · 13 Comments

    Slow Cooker Cabbage Roll Casserole

    Jump to Recipe Rate this Recipe
    a serving of cabbage roll casserole on a white plate with text overlay.

    This casserole has ground beef, onion, cabbage, and rice cooked in tomato sauce - all the components of traditional cabbage rolls, but with none of the hassle of making individual rolls. Simply toss everything in a slow cooker for a set-it-and-forget-it casserole.

    cabbage roll casserole topped with cheese, being serving from a crock pot

    This Mom's Menu is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. This post may be sponsored or contain affiliate links but all opinions are my own. I may earn money from purchases made through the links shared here (at no additional cost to you)

    Cabbage rolls are a great dinner for just about any occasion. But traditional cabbage rolls are a real pain to make. This casserole gives you all the flavor but with just a fraction of the work.

    Cabbage roll casserole is pretty much a meal on its own. If you would like to add something more to the meal, I suggest some low-carb beer bread or dinner rolls and a lightly dressed salad.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients and substitutions
    • How to make slow cooker cabbage roll casserole
    • Variations
    • Equipment
    • Storage
    • How to make it in advance
    • FAQs
    • Top tip
    • 📖 Recipe
    • Pin this Post
    • 💬 Reviews

    Ingredients and substitutions

    Even though the cooking method for this slow cooker recipe, is quite different than that of traditional cabbage rolls, the ingredients are much the same.

    ingredients for cabbage roll casserole inluding cabbage, tomato sauce, onion, ground beef, rice, and green pepper.
    • Ground Beef - Ground turkey, pork, or chicken would also work. In addition you can use vegan ground beef substitute.
    • Onion or onion powder
    • Green Bell Pepper - a red, yellow, or orange bell pepper would also work.
    • Garlic or garlic powder
    • Italian Seasoning
    • Salt and Pepper
    • Cabbage 
    • Tomato Sauce - you can also use any combination of canned tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, or diced tomatoes.
    • Brown Sugar, molasses, or honey
    • Apple Cider Vinegar
    • White Rice or or brown rice (only use 1 cup if you are using brown rice)
    • Beef Broth or vegetable broth
    • Monterey Jack Cheese or mozzarella cheese

    See the recipe card for quantities.

    How to make slow cooker cabbage roll casserole

    To make this slow cooker cabbage casserole you will start by cooking the beef along with the onion, green pepper, and garlic. After it's fully cooked and the vegetables have begun to soften, drain the grease.

    Hint: Save time, by cutting up your cabbage and mixing the tomato sauce (see step 4) while the beef cooks.

    ground beef, diced onions, green pepper, and garlic cooking in a cast iron skillet.

    Next, add the rice and beef broth to a 6-quart slow cooker and stir.

    beef broth and rice in the bottom of a slow cooker

    Tip: To easily core and slice cabbage, first cut it into four wedges (cut from the top of the cabbage, down through the core) Then you can easily slice the core away from each wedge. After the core has been removed, slice the wedge into 1-inch squares.

    a four image collage showing the steps for coring and slicing a head of cabbage.

    Add half of the cabbage to the slow cooker on top of the rice and broth, season it with salt and pepper. Next, add half of the cooked beef. Then repeat this with the remaining cabbage and beef.

    two images showing cabbage and ground beef being layered in a slow cooker.

    Now, in a small bowl, combine the tomato sauce with the brown sugar and vinegar. Then pour the mixture over the beef and cabbage in the slow cooker.

    two images showing a tomato sauce being mixed and then poured over cabbage and ground beef in a slow cooker.

    Place the lid on the slow cooker, and cook on low for 4-5 hours, or on high for 2-3 hours. About 15 or 20 minutes before the cooking time is complete, stir the contents of the slow cooker and top it all with the shredded cheese. Replace the lid and allow the cheese to melt until the cooking time is complete.

    two images showing shredded cheese on a cabbage roll casserole in a crock pot before and after the cheese has melted.

    Variations

    This recipe can be easily adapted to suit your taste buds and dietary preferences.

    • Low Carb - Substitute the brown sugar with brown sugar substitute and exclude the rice and beef broth and sub with 1 tablespoon of beef broth concentrate or bouillion and 3 cups of cauliflower rice or additional cabbage.
    • Vegan - Use a plant-based ground beef alternative, vegetable broth, and vegan cheese.
    • Make it soup - Reduce the ground beef to 1 pound, reduce the cabbage to one half pound, and reduce the rice to three-quarters of a cup. Double the beef broth. Instead of melting the cheese over the casserole, serve it sprinkled on bowls of soup when serving. Otherwise the follow the cooking directions as they are written.

    Check out this Instant pot vegetable soup or cheesy scalloped cabbage casserole for other great options.

    Equipment

    Here's what you'll need to make this slow cooker casserole:

    • Slow cooker with at least a 6-quart capacity (I used an Instant Pot Aura Pro affiliate)
    • Large skillet (I used a 12" lodge cast iron skillet affiliate)
    • Measuring cups and spoons
    • Small mixing bowl
    • Knife and cutting board

    Storage

    Leftovers can be kept in the fridge for up to a week, or frozen for up to 6 months. To reheat, allow the casserole to thaw then bake in the oven or microwave until it is heated through.

    How to make it in advance

    The majority of this recipe can be assembled in advance for an even easier meal perfect for busy nights.

    To make the casserole ahead, cook the beef, onions, pepper, and onion and prepare the tomato sauce as written in steps 1 and 4.

    Then, place the rice in the bottom of the slow cooker, followed by the alternating layers of cabbage and beef. DO NOT add the broth or tomato mixture yet. Store all the components in the fridge until you are ready to cook.

    When you are ready to cook the casserole, simply pour the beef broth and tomato sauce into the slow cooker. Cook on low for 4-6 hours, or high for 2-3 hours.

    Additionally, you can add the rice, cabbage, cooked beef(with the onion, pepper, and garlic) to a large freezer bag. Then, add the tomato sauce mixture to a separate bag. Freeze for up to 6 months.

    When you are ready to cook, simply pour the beef broth into the bottom of a slow cooker, then empty the contents of the freezer bags into the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, or high for 4 hours. Stir halfway through.

    FAQs

    Can I make this crockpot casserole with uncooked ground beef?

    Unfortunately, I do not recommend this. The end result would be too greasy and since the beef would be broken up, it would cook unevenly.

    Can I make cabbage roll casserole with pork sausage instead?

    Yes, you can use Italian sausage or spicy pork sausage would work well.

    Can I serve slow cooker cabbage roll casserole over rice instead of putting the rice in the slow cooker?

    You sure can! Reduce the beef broth to a half cup. I also suggest cooking the rice in beef broth instead of water for extra flavor.

    Top tip

    To save some time cut up your cabbage and mix the tomato sauce (see step 4) while the beef cooks.

    📖 Recipe

    Cabbage roll casserole being served from a slow cooker

    Slow Cooker Cabbage Roll Casserole

    Sabra - This Mom's Menu
    This casserole has ground beef, onion, cabbage, and rice cooked in tomato sauce - all the components of traditional cabbage rolls, but with none of the hassle of making individual rolls. Simply toss everything in a slow cooker for a set-it-and-forget-it casserole.
    4.46 from 35 reviewers
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Servings 8 servings
    Prep Time 20 minutes mins
    Cook Time 5 hours hrs

    Equipment

    • Slow Cooker
    • Skillet
    • Measuring Cups and Spoons
    • Knife

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 lb Ground Beef
    • 1 Yellow Onion diced
    • 1 Green Bell Peppers seeded and diced
    • 2 tablespoon Garlic minced
    • 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
    • 1 teaspoon Salt
    • ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
    • 1 lb Head of Cabbage chopped (6-8 cups)
    • 28 oz Tomato Sauce
    • 2 tablespoon Brown Sugar
    • 1 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
    • 1 ½ cup White Rice uncooked and rinsed
    • 4 cups Beef Broth
    • 1 cup Monterey Jack Cheese shredded

    Instructions
     

    • In a large skillet, brown the ground beef with the onion, bell pepper, garlic, and Italian seasoning. Season with salt and pepper. Once the beef is fully cooked, drain the grease from the pan.
      2 lb Ground Beef, 1 Yellow Onion, 1 Green Bell Peppers, 2 tablespoon Garlic, 1 teaspoon Salt, ½ teaspoon Black Pepper, 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
    • Add the rice and beef broth to the slow cooker and stir.
      1 ½ cup White Rice, 4 cups Beef Broth
    • Place half of the chopped cabbage on top of the rice and beef broth, season with a few shakes of salt and pepper. Then, add half of the cooked ground beef, onions, and peppers. Repeat this using the remaining cabbage and beef.
      1 lb Head of Cabbage
    • In a small bowl, combine the tomato sauce with the brown sugar and vinegar. Mix well, then pour the mixture over the ground beef in the slow cooker.
      28 oz Tomato Sauce, 2 tablespoon Brown Sugar, 1 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
    • Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours. When just 15-30 minutes of cooking time remains, remove the lid from the slow cooker and stir the contents. Then top with the shredded cheese.
      1 cup Monterey Jack Cheese

    Be sure to read the entire post for tips, tricks, and help troubleshooting.

    The nutrition information listed here is only an estimate and is simply provided as a courtesy. It nor any other information within this post should constitute medical or nutritional advice. Be sure to read all packaging and ingredient labels for potential allergens. Optional ingredients are not included unless otherwise specified.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 405kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 34gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 83mgSodium: 1422mgPotassium: 995mgFiber: 4gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 650IUVitamin C: 41mgCalcium: 180mgIron: 5mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @thismomsmenu or tag #thismomsmenu

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    A serving of cabbage roll casserole on a white plate with a text overlay.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      4.46 from 35 votes (28 ratings without comment)

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    1. Rod duchy says

      January 05, 2022 at 1:50 pm

      Really easy and tasty

      Reply
    2. P Charlton says

      January 11, 2022 at 4:42 pm

      Our family loved this recipe. The key to flavoring was the brown sugar and apple cider vinegar! Not the same without them. Easy and nourishing. Thanks for the recipe. I made mine stove top.

      Reply
    3. P Charlton says

      January 11, 2022 at 4:44 pm

      Forgot to rate this clearly 5 star recipe! Making it again tonight on the stove top. Love the flavor and infusion of vegetables.

      Reply
    4. Cassondra says

      May 17, 2022 at 8:52 pm

      Thank you! I've made this recipe 3 or 4 times now & it's such a hit. I use bagged coleslaw mix & brown rice & cook on high a bit longer, but it turns out great. I skip the sugar only because we're not a fan of the sweet taste. But I am so thankful for this easy, whole ingredient recipe, thank you!

      Reply
    5. Becky V says

      July 07, 2022 at 9:58 am

      This looks like a great recipe but it doesn't have any amounts listed for the various ingredients.

      Reply
    6. Joanne says

      July 27, 2022 at 9:49 pm

      The flavors are great. However-cooking the rice for 4 hours made it too mushy and ruined the dish. I will use the same ingredients and bake it instead.

      Reply
      • Joe Nyzio says

        January 29, 2023 at 9:37 am

        Modify accordingly... Cook rice separately (rice cooker) and add cooked rice in the last 10-15 minutes, stir and let simm
        er for a few minutes. Yes, it does defeat the purpose of a 1 dish meal, but it IS a very good way to prep it and still have the original flavors.

        Reply
    7. Julia says

      July 29, 2022 at 9:07 pm

      Taste was great, mine needed a little more moisture. I LOVE how the ingredients in each step were repeated to save the annoying back and forth between ingredients and process… genius!!!

      Reply
    8. Carol says

      October 27, 2022 at 7:21 pm

      I cooked this tonight on 10/27/22. I have to admit that I did not follow the recipe 100% I used shredded pork instead of hamburger. I use A bag of frozen peppers and onions after I sauteed them. I have to say with all the seasoning the Casserole was somewhate tasteless. I could barely tell there was cabby ginnett and I used a pretty large head of cabbage. I love cabbage rolls and this casserole tastes nothing like cabbage rolls I think I will go back to cooking them the right way. And the rice got way over cook. And it took longer than 4 hours on low

      Reply
    9. Lyn skinnet says

      November 07, 2022 at 1:43 pm

      Can i use minute rice instead

      Reply
      • Sabra says

        November 09, 2022 at 8:56 am

        Unfortunately, minute rice won't work in this recipe. It will get way too mushy 🙁

        Reply
    10. Sydnee says

      August 10, 2023 at 4:35 pm

      Lovedd!! Added a bit of worstershire to the meat mix, also did 1#ground beef and 1#turkey, and a bit more brown sugar than called for to the tomato mix and it was DEVINE! only had jasmine rice on hand and worked just as well!

      Reply
    11. Ann says

      August 18, 2023 at 10:49 am

      Wonderful taste!

      Reply

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    Hi! I am Sabra and I'm the face behind This Mom's Menu. I live just outside of Louisville Kentucky with my husband and four kids. Here at This Mom's Menu, you can expect to find family-friendly, healthy recipes plus articles about what is helping me get through my daily to-do list with a little sanity to spare! My favorite things right now are fresh flowers, eggs, and re-runs of The Office ...

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