Description
Sauerkraut Casserole is a hearty and comforting dish featuring tangy fermented cabbage combined with savory ground meat, caramelized onions, and a creamy base of sour cream or cream cheese. This easy-to-make casserole delivers bold, balanced flavors and is perfect for satisfying weeknight dinners or special occasions. Versatile and nutritious, it supports a wholesome lifestyle with probiotics and protein, while its leftovers taste even better the next day.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Ingredients
- 2 cups sauerkraut, drained and rinsed
- 1 lb ground meat (beef or pork)
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 cups potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced or 8 oz noodles prepared
- 1/2 cup sour cream or cream cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Optional Variations
- 1 cup mushrooms or lentils (for vegetarian version)
- 1 cup shredded Swiss or cheddar cheese (for cheesy twist)
- 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes or cayenne pepper (for spicy kick)
- Fresh dill or thyme, chopped (for herb infusion)
- Gluten-free noodles (if avoiding gluten)
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Drain and rinse the sauerkraut to reduce excess tang if desired. Finely chop the onions. Peel and thinly slice the potatoes or prepare noodles as preferred.
- Cook the Meat and Onions: In a large skillet, heat a small amount of oil and sauté the onions until golden and caramelized. Add the ground meat, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook thoroughly until browned. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika during cooking.
- Combine Sauerkraut and Cream: Stir the rinsed sauerkraut into the cooked meat and onion mixture, allowing flavors to meld over medium heat. Mix in sour cream or cream cheese to add creaminess and balance the acidity.
- Layer in a Baking Dish: If using potatoes, layer thinly sliced potatoes at the bottom of a greased casserole dish or intersperse with the sauerkraut mixture. If using noodles, mix them into the sauerkraut and meat mixture thoroughly, then transfer everything to the baking dish.
- Bake Until Bubbling and Golden: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the casserole for 30-40 minutes, or until the top is lightly browned and bubbling around the edges.
Notes
- Rinse sauerkraut before cooking to mellow the sourness if preferred.
- Use fresh onions and quality ground meat for best flavor.
- Don’t skip adding sour cream or cream cheese for a creamy texture.
- Choose waxy potatoes to hold their shape during baking.
- Allow casserole to rest 5-10 minutes after baking for easier serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Central European
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: Sauerkraut casserole, fermented cabbage, comfort food, ground beef casserole, creamy sauerkraut bake, gluten free casserole, probiotic recipe