Crispy Cabbage Burger Bake (Printable Version)

Hearty casserole featuring seasoned beef, roasted cabbage rounds, and melted cheddar cheese for a satisfying meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 medium green cabbage, cored and sliced into ½-inch thick rounds
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Meats

04 - 1.5 lbs ground beef, 80/20 blend recommended

→ Dairy

05 - 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
06 - ½ cup whole milk
07 - 2 large eggs

→ Condiments & Pantry

08 - 3 tbsp olive oil
09 - 2 tbsp ketchup
10 - 1 tbsp yellow mustard
11 - ½ tsp Worcestershire sauce
12 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
13 - 1 tsp dried oregano
14 - ½ tsp garlic powder
15 - ½ tsp onion powder
16 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Optional Toppings

17 - Sliced pickles
18 - Diced tomatoes
19 - Chopped green onions
20 - Sesame seeds

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - Arrange cabbage rounds on the prepared baking sheet. Brush both sides with 2 tbsp olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway, until edges are golden and crispy.
03 - Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook 3–4 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook 1 more minute.
04 - Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until browned and cooked through, about 6–8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
05 - Stir in ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
06 - In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs and milk until fully combined.
07 - Layer half of the roasted cabbage in the prepared baking dish. Spread all of the beef mixture evenly over the cabbage. Top with the remaining cabbage.
08 - Pour the egg-milk mixture evenly over the casserole. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese on top.
09 - Bake uncovered at 375°F for 15–20 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly and casserole is set.
10 - Let rest 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with optional toppings as desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The roasted cabbage develops these incredible crispy edges while staying tender underneath, like the best parts of a cabbage roll without all the fuss
  • Everything cooks in one dish with familiar burger flavors that even picky eaters recognize and love
  • It reheats beautifully for those days when you need something hearty but don't want to actually cook
02 -
  • Roasting the cabbage separately before layering is absolutely crucial, otherwise it stays tough and watery in the final bake
  • Letting the casserole rest for those five minutes isn't optional, it gives the egg mixture time to set up properly
  • Don't skip draining excess fat from the beef, or you'll end up with a greasy layer that nobody wants to eat
03 -
  • Use a sharp chef's knife to cut through the cabbage core cleanly, then pop it out with a quick tap of your knife handle
  • If your beef mixture seems too thick, add a splash of beef broth instead of more milk to keep the flavors concentrated
  • Grating your own cheese instead of buying pre-shredded makes a huge difference in how smoothly it melts

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