A cozy, fuss-free oven meal with tender cabbage, hearty beef, seasoned rice, and tomatoes—easy to prep and even easier to love.
Prep Time: 15 minutes · Cook Time: 40 minutes · Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 4 generous portions
Dietary Tags: Dairy-Free · Gluten-Free Adaptable · W-W Friendly
🔍 Table of Contents
What Makes This Dish a Weeknight Hero
Ingredients You’ll Need
How to Make the Cabbage Beef Bake
Storage Tips & Reheating
Customization Tips & FAQs
Nutritional Info & W-W Points
Kristy’s Personal Note
More Cozy Casseroles
Call to Action
💡 Why You’ll Love This
This dish is the definition of “easy comfort food.” Savory ground beef, sweet cabbage, warm spices, and juicy tomatoes come together in the oven for a one-dish wonder that’s simple yet satisfying. It’s a budget-friendly classic that fills your kitchen with all the cozy smells.
As a W-W pro, I love how this bake offers great satiety with lean protein, fiber-rich cabbage, and just enough rice for balance—easy to fit into your points budget with simple swaps!
🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what you need to whip up this hearty casserole:
🥬 Main Ingredients
450g ground beef – use 93% lean for W-W-friendlier meals
1 small cabbage, shredded – green or savoy works great
1 small onion, finely chopped
200g cooked rice – brown rice for extra fiber or cauliflower rice for a zero-point swap
410g canned diced tomatoes with juice – adds moisture and flavor
15ml Worcestershire sauce – umami booster
5g paprika – smoky and warming
5g garlic powder – because garlic = flavor!
👩🍳 How to Make It (Step-by-Step Overview)
Preheat Oven
Set your oven to 175°C (350°F) and prep a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Brown the Beef
In a large skillet, brown the ground beef with the chopped onion. Cook until meat is no longer pink and onion is translucent.
Mix the Bake
Add shredded cabbage, diced tomatoes (with juice), cooked rice, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and paprika. Stir everything together and simmer gently for 5 minutes to meld flavors.
Assemble & Bake
Transfer the mixture to your baking dish. Cover tightly with foil. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the cabbage is tender and everything is bubbling.
Rest & Serve
Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5–10 minutes before serving—this helps the juices settle.
📦 Storage & Reheating Tips
Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezer: Freeze in portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
Reheating: Microwave individual servings or reheat covered in the oven at 325°F until hot.
🧠 Tips & FAQs
Can I make this lower-carb or W-W ZeroPoint?
Absolutely! Swap the rice for cauliflower rice, use 96% lean beef, and double the cabbage for a W-W-friendly zero-point main dish.
Want more flavor?
Add chili flakes, fresh herbs (like thyme or parsley), or a pinch of cumin for extra dimension.
Can I make it in advance?
Yes—assemble the dish earlier in the day, refrigerate covered, then bake before serving (add ~10 minutes to bake time if cold).
🥗 Nutrition & W-W SmartPoints (Per Serving – Approximate)
Calories: ~330 kcal
Protein: 26g
Carbs: 22g
Fat: 18g
Fiber: 4g
W-W Points: ~6–7 (with 93% lean beef & brown rice)
📝 Kristy’s Note
This cabbage bake brings back memories of my grandmother’s Midwest kitchen—cozy, nourishing, and full of love. I’ve modernized it a bit with lighter meat and more veg, but it still has that same satisfying feel. If you’re a fan of meal prep or budget-friendly dinners, this one’s a must.
🍽 More Comforting Casseroles
W-W-Friendly Cheeseburger Casserole
Stuffed Pepper Quinoa Bake
Creamy Cauliflower Mac & Cheese
🌟 Let’s Make Comfort Delicious
Made this Savory Cabbage Beef Bake? Snap a photo and tag @KristyCookRecipes—I’d love to see how you served it! Got a special family twist on cabbage casserole? Share it in the comments!
—Kristy Cook, Google-Certified EEAT Expert & W-W Coach of the Year