Easy One Pot Dirty Cabbage Casserole–an easy one-pot dinner made with Italian sausage, tender cabbage, fire-roasted tomatoes, rice and melty mozzarella cheese.

Easy One Pot Dirty Cabbage Casserole
This is an easy one pot meal that feeds a crowd. It’s got carbs, protein and veggies all in one pot. The Italian sausage flavors the entire dish. And the cabbage cooks down that you don’t even notice it (for those of you with picky eaters). I love the flavor that comes from the fire roasted tomatoes and the cajun seasoning and the cheesy finish is everything. I had two bowls! Enjoy!
Ingredients/Substitution Ideas
- Italian sausage–You can use mild, sweet or hot Italian sausage. I used mild.
- Yellow onion–or white onion
- Garlic–or 1 tsp garlic powder
- Tomato paste
- Chicken broth–or beef broth
- Apple cider vinegar–or red wine vinegar or white wine vinegar
- Converted rice–or long grain white
- Cabbage
- Cajun seasoning–keep in mind that different brands vary quite a bit in saltiness and heat
- Fire-roasted tomatoes–or petite diced tomatoes
- Mozzarella cheese–or Monterey Jack, cheddar or an Italian cheese blend would also be yummy
Steps
Turn Instant Pot to saute setting. When display says HOT add in the sausage and break it up. Add in the onion. Brown for 5 minutes. Drain off excess grease. Stir in the garlic and tomato paste.

Pour in the chicken broth and vinegar and scrape bottom of pot so that nothing is sticking. Turn off Instant Pot.

Sprinkle in the rice. Dump in the cabbage and sprinkle it with cajun seasoning. Dump in the tomatoes.


Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set manual/pressure cook button to 5 minutes. When time is up let pot sit for 5 minutes and then move valve to venting. Remove the lid.

Stir in the cheese.

Serve and enjoy! Top with hot sauce, if desired.

Notes/Tips
- We ate this as a one pot dinner but you can serve a side salad or roasted broccoli alongside it.
- I enjoyed my portion with a few drops of hot sauce on top.
- If you’re a meat lover try adding in a half pound of ground beef in with the italian sausage.
- Try adding in sliced mushrooms for more veggies.
- For more cheese, sprinkle additional mozzarella over individual servings and let it melt before serving.
- This recipe is gluten free. This recipe can be dairy free if you leave out the cheese.
- I used my 6 quart Instant Pot*. You can also make this in an 8 quart pot. Cut the recipe in half for a smaller 3 or 4 quart pot.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container* in the refrigerator for 4 days. Freeze leftovers for up to 3 months. For meal prep, divide it into individual containers before refrigerating or freezing for an easy grab-and-reheat lunch.
- Other recipes you can make with cajun seasoning are Sinfully Great Kielbasa Casserole and Instant Pot Cajun Sausage, Potatoes and Green Beans.
Did you know you can filter the recipes on my website to search by meat type, IP or Crockpot, low carb, gluten free, etc.? Use the filter to find exactly what you are looking for.


Easy One Pot Dirty Cabbage Casserole
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes (plus 5 minute NPR)
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
Description
An easy one-pot dinner made with Italian sausage, tender cabbage, fire-roasted tomatoes, rice and melty mozzarella cheese.
Ingredients
- 16 oz Italian sausage
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 Tbsp tomato paste
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 1/2 cups converted rice
- 6 cups chopped cabbage
- 1 tsp cajun seasoning
- 1 (14.5 oz) can fire roasted tomatoes
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Turn Instant Pot to saute setting. When display says HOT add in the sausage and break it up. Add in the onion. Brown for 5 minutes. Drain off excess grease. Stir in the garlic and tomato paste.
- Pour in the chicken broth and vinegar and scrape bottom of pot so that nothing is sticking. Turn off Instant Pot.
- Sprinkle in the rice. Dump in the cabbage and sprinkle it with cajun seasoning. Dump in the tomatoes.
- Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set manual/pressure cook button to 5 minutes. When time is up let pot sit for 5 minutes and then move valve to venting. Remove the lid.
- Stir in the cheese.
- Serve and enjoy! Top with hot sauce, if desired.
- Category: Sausage
- Method: Instant Pot

More recipes with cabbage…
Instant Pot Lazy Stuffed Cabbage
All the flavors of stuffed cabbage in a super fast and easy stew. This is a delicious and healthy dinner that will fill you up!
Instant Pot Amish Cabbage and Potato Casserole
Seasoned ground beef with cabbage, potatoes and a creamy sauce.
Cabbage Fat Burning Soup
A flavorful soup with lots of veggies including cabbage, carrots and cauliflower. With only 87 calories per cup of soup you can eat this with no guilt!
Hearty Cabbage Ground Beef Soup
A hearty, comforting, budget-friendly one-pot soup loaded with tender vegetables, savory beef and spices that’s ready in under 30 minutes with your Instant Pot or cooked low and slow in your Crockpot.
Southern Beef Cabbage Casserole
A quick one-pot Instant Pot dinner made with seasoned ground beef, tender pasta shells, cabbage, tomatoes and melty cheddar cheese.
*Karen Petersen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.






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