Cabbage Roll Casserole

By BobN

Ingredients

• 2 pounds ground beef
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 cans (15 ounces each) tomato sauce, divided
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon dill weed
• 1/2 teaspoon rubbed sage
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2 cups cooked rice
• 4 Bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
• 1 medium head cabbage (2 pounds), shredded
• 1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
• Coarsely ground pepper, optional

Details

Adapted from tasteofhome.com

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 375°. In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat, crumbling beef, until meat is no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Drain. Stir in one can of tomato sauce and next six ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, 5 minutes. Stir in rice and bacon; remove from heat.
Layer a third of the cabbage in a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Top with half of the meat mixture. Repeat layers; top with remaining cabbage. Pour remaining tomato sauce over top.
Cover and bake 45 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with cheese. Bake until cheese is melted, about 10 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. If desired, sprinkle with coarsely ground pepper. Yield: 12 servings.