Low Carb Unstuffed Cabbage Casserole Recipe
This Low Carb Unstuffed Cabbage Casserole is a comforting and hearty dish that captures all the delicious flavors of traditional stuffed cabbage without the hassle of rolling. Featuring ground beef, tender cabbage, and cauliflower rice in a savory low-carb tomato sauce, it’s a perfect meal for those seeking a nutritious and satisfying dinner option with fewer carbs.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Carb
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs ground beef
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 6 cups chopped cabbage (about ½ head)
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 3 ½ cups low carb pasta sauce
- 3 cups cauliflower rice
- 2 tablespoons water (for cooking cabbage)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole later.
- Brown Meat and Aromatics: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef along with the finely chopped onion and minced garlic until the beef is no longer pink. Drain any excess fat to keep the dish lean.
- Cook Cabbage: Add 2 tablespoons of water to the skillet and cook the chopped cabbage until it becomes tender. Once cooked, remove the cabbage from the skillet and set it aside.
- Cook Cauliflower Rice: Using the same skillet, cook the cauliflower rice until tender. This will absorb the flavors left in the pan from the previous ingredients.
- Combine Meat and Cauliflower: In a bowl, mix together the cooked cauliflower rice, browned ground beef mixture, and Italian seasoning until well combined.
- Assemble Casserole: Spread 1 cup of the low carb pasta sauce evenly on the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Add the beef and cauliflower mixture on top of the sauce. Then layer with 1 cup of pasta sauce followed by the cooked cabbage. Finally, pour the remaining sauce over the top to cover everything.
- Bake: Cover the casserole with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes or until the cabbage is tender and the flavors are well melded.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the casserole to cool for about 15 minutes before serving to let it set and develop enhanced flavors.
Notes
- Use a lean ground beef to lower fat content if desired.
- For added flavor, consider sprinkling some shredded low-carb cheese on top before baking.
- You can substitute the low carb pasta sauce with homemade tomato sauce to control sugar content.
- Cauliflower rice can be made fresh using a food processor or purchased pre-riced for convenience.
- Covering the casserole during baking helps to steam the cabbage, keeping it tender and moist.
