Cabbage, Meat and Rice Casserole (Rice Cooker)

8 servings Prep: 15 m Cook: 30 m Total: 45 m Beginner
Cabbage, Meat and Rice Casserole (Rice Cooker)
Put a side of black-eyed peas and you are ready for New Year’s Day. Here’s to good luck, good fortune, prosperity and a Wonderful New Year. The black-eyed peas, since they swell when cooked, symbolize prosperity; the cabbage greens symbolize money; the pork represents positive motion as pigs root forward when foraging. Cornbread a great compliment to this meal represents gold. This one-pot rice cooker recipe combines ground beef, pork sausage, cabbage, rice, and Rotel tomatoes for an easy, hearty meal.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground meat
  • 1 lb Owens sausage
  • 1 large head of cabbage, cut in wedges
  • 1 onion, coarsely chopped
  • 1 bell pepper, coarsely chopped
  • 1 cup raw rice
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 can Rotel tomatoes (original or spicy)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. In a medium saucepan, cook ground meat, sausage, onions, and bell pepper until browned, about 8-10 minutes. Drain excess oil and set aside.
  2. In a large bowl mix together the rice, the cooked meat, Rotel tomatoes, cabbage and water. Mix really well and season to taste with salt and pepper. Do not pack down that will keep it from cooking properly.
  3. Pack all ingredients loosely into 8 or 10 cup rice cooker. Set on cook. When the bell rings, open and gently stir the mixture and cover and let stand 15 to 20 minutes. Garnish with parsley and onion tops.
  4. If the mixture is too wet, stir and reset the cook timer.

Common Problems and Solutions

Q: Why is my rice cooker mixture coming out mushy?

A: Make sure you're packing the ingredients loosely, not pressing them down. Packing too tightly prevents proper steam circulation and can result in uneven cooking with some parts mushy and others undercooked.

Q: Can I cook this on the stovetop if I don't have a rice cooker?

A: Yes, use a large pot or Dutch oven. After mixing all ingredients, bring to a boil, then reduce to low heat, cover tightly, and simmer for 20-25 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.

Tips and Techniques

Don’t skip draining the excess fat from the meat - too much oil will make the rice greasy and prevent it from cooking properly. The “let stand” time after cooking is important for the rice to finish steaming and absorb any remaining moisture.

Ingredient Substitutions

  • Owens sausage: any breakfast sausage or mild Italian sausage
  • Rotel tomatoes: 1 can diced tomatoes plus 1 small can diced green chiles
  • ground meat (beef): ground turkey or ground chicken

Equipment Needed

  • 8 or 10 cup rice cooker
  • medium saucepan
  • large mixing bowl

Historical Context

New Year’s Day meals in the South traditionally feature symbolic foods believed to bring good fortune - black-eyed peas for prosperity, greens for money, and pork for progress. This casserole combines those lucky elements with the convenience of modern rice cooker technology.