Cabbage Roll Casserole

Name: Cabbage Roll Casserole
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: Medium size head of cabbage; 2 1/2 lbs lean ground beef 90/10; 1/2 lbs cooked bacon coarsely chopped; 1 med white onion; 1/2 cup Italian flavored bread crumbs; 1/2 -3/4 cup cooked white rice; 1-2 eggs; 1 family sized and 1 10 oz can of tomato soup; salt and pepper to taste

by Scott from Platter Talk Published: Aug 5, 2019 Updated: Feb 20, 2021

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Cabbage Roll Casserole is a quick and easy way to enjoy all the flavors of our very popular stuffed cabbage recipe featured here on Platter Talk.

With hundreds of thousands of views on our original gołąbki recipe, I wanted to simplify the process without losing out on any of the deliciousness of the original version.

This lazy golumpki hits the mark, perfectly.

Cabbage Roll Casserole or Lazy Golumpki on a serving plate. — This cabbage roll recipe is a favorite in our family.

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What is this?
What’s in it?
Substitutions
How to make this
Common Cooking Questions
Related recipes
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Comments

What is this?

a serving of cabbage roll casserole being scooped up. — This “Lazy Golumpki” features all of the flavors of our original Polish cabbage rolls but with much less work.

I think that people are drawn to our golumpki partly because of its unusual name and also because of its Polish origin.

However, I do have to admit, the original recipe is a bit tedious with many different steps. Although it is not hard to make, it is very time-consuming.

With that in mind, I wanted to make a version of this dish that is quick and easy. Enter lazy golumpki.

What’s in it?

a bunch of casserole ingredients in a mixing bowl.

Other than the cabbage, the main ingredients for cabbage roll casserole include:

Cream of Tomato Soup – This helps keep it simple and I prefer Campbell’s, for the flavor.
Rice – This helps hold it together and gives some texture. Use whatever kind of rice you have on hand. Even rice in a bag!
Ground Beef – In this version, I used only lean ground beef, 90/10. I did this because most of us have hamburger sitting in the freezer unused, and this makes great use for it.

Substitutions

Traditionally, golumpki is made with different meats. This was done years ago to keep the dish economical. People bought what was affordable and on sale to feed your family.

You can easily use different meat combinations for this, such as ground beef, Italian ground sausage, and even veal.

My grandmother would use primarily beef in her lazy golumpki because she had a family of 9 to feed. My point is, use what you have in your freezer. It makes it that much more convenient.

How to make this

The nice thing about this Lazy Man Cabbage Rolls recipe is how fast and versatile it is.

There are many short cuts that can be taken without sacrificing taste.

1. I used oven-fried bacon in this recipe for a cripsy finish without a greasy mess.

2. Seasoned breadcrumbs are added to the ground beef mixture for added flavor and to help hold it together.

3. I use a “boil in the bag” type of rice which is mixed in a bowl with the ground beef mixture.

Layering stuffed cabbage casserole with cabbage and beef mixture.

4. Instead of boiling the cabbage and pulling apart every leaf so that you can roll the meat mixture into them, I shredded the cabbage into big long pieces.

This reduces the necessary time of assembling this deconstructed “stuffed cabbage” recipe to mere minutes.

I have to admit, I feel like that I am cheating my grandmother’s recipe by taking these shortcuts.

However, that feeling was quickly gone after how fast this went together.

5. Then I layer it.

6. Like a lasagna.

Lazy man cabbage rolls being baked with cream of tomato soup.

7. I use a family-size can of tomato soup to go over the stuffed cabbage casserole before it bakes in the oven.

8. Finally, to help keep the cabbage roll casserole from drying out while baking, I top it off with a regular size can of tomato soup midway through the baking process.

After putting this lazy golumpki together and allowing it to spend some time in the hot oven, our house quickly filled with the familiar aroma. Then came the memories of the golumpki the I grew up with, without all the work.

With just one bite, you will agree that this is a winning recipe. The cabbage still retains a little crisp to it, and the meat is moist and delicious.

A serving of lazy golumpki on a plate. — Make this lazy golumpki as an easy make-ahead freezer meal.

If you are one of the many people that have looked at the original Polish cabbage rolls recipe but shied away from it because it seemed too daunting, then this is the recipe for you.

I threw this cabbage roll casserole together as a weekday meal but it would make a great sit-down Sunday Supper for your family. I know that you will enjoy this family favorite.

Scott from Platter Talk food blog in the kitchen.

For a more detailed look, see my YouTube video for how to make lazy golumpki.

Common Cooking Questions

Overhead view of a casserole with salad and rolls.

What can I serve with cabbage rolls casserole?

Keep it simple when choosing a side dish for this recipe. Soft dinner rolls with butter, green salad, and mashed potatoes are all good side dishes for cabbage rolls.

Can you freeze this cabbage roll casserole?

You can freeze this lazy golumpki but bake it first.

Allow it to cool completely and then wrap it air-tight with plastic wrap.
You can freeze lazy golumpki for up to 6 weeks.
When ready to use, let it thaw in the fridge and then reheat for 45 minutes at 300° F.
Top with a regular-size can of tomato soup, half-way through reheating.

Cabbage roll soup
Cabbage enchiladas (low carb enchiladas)
Pierogoi

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