Recipe: Healthy Cooking unstuffed cabbage

I found this recipe in a healthy cooking book. This serves 4

1 llb extra lean ground beef
1/4 Cup long grain white rice
1 egg
1 clove Garlic
1/2 tsp thyme
salt & pepper
2/3 Cup chopped onions
1 small head shredded cabbage
1 Tbsp brown sugar
16 OZ canned tomatoes (with juice)
1-1/2 Cups beef broth or water

Preheat oven 350
In medium mixing bowl, lightly mix beef, rice,egg, garlic, thyme, salt, pepper
& half the onions. Shape the mixture into 8 balls. Spread 1/2 the cabbage in 2
quart ceramic casserole that can go from stovetop to oven. Top with the
remaining onions, then the meatballs. Finish with the remaining cabbage.
Sprinkle with the brown sugar and pour in the tomatoes (with juice) and broth
or water. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Cover the casserole,
move it to the oven and bake for 1 hr, or until the rice is tender and most of
the liquid has been absorbed. During cooking, add a little extra broth or water
if necessary to prevent sticking.