Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls are a deconstructed version of the classic dish, offering all the savory flavors without the fuss. This easy-to-make recipe delivers a comforting blend of tender cabbage, flavorful ground meat, and tangy tomato sauce in every bite. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, it’s a hearty and satisfying meal that’s sure to please the whole family.
One-Pot Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls
There’s something undeniably comforting about a dish that brings together the rich flavors of meat, the sweetness of tomato, and the subtle crunch of cabbage. Our Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls captures this perfectly, offering a cozy, one-pot meal that warms you from the inside out. It’s the kind of recipe that reminds you of home, making it a favorite for family dinners.
What sets this recipe apart is its simplicity and versatility. Unlike traditional cabbage rolls, this deconstructed version eliminates the need for rolling, making it a breeze to prepare on even the busiest of evenings. Plus, it’s easily customizable to suit various dietary preferences, ensuring everyone at the table is satisfied and happy.
Why We Love Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls
- One-pot recipe
- Way easier than fussing with traditional cabbage rolls
- Still has that Eastern European flair
- Ready in 30 minutes
- Simple and inexpensive ingredients
- Feeds a crowd
Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls Ingredients
- Lean ground beef (feel free to substitute ground turkey or ground chicken)
- Medium white onion
- Small head of cabbage
- Large diced tomatoes
- Tomato sauce
- White vinegar
- Brown sugar
- Beef broth (low sodium)
- Paprika
- Garlic, minced
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Minute Rice, uncooked
Additions & Substitutions
- Ground beef: You can substitute the ground beef in this recipe for ground turkey or chicken. I like to use very lean ground beef, as you’ll be draining off the excess fat anyway.
- Rice: You can use any type of Minute Rice that you prefer. They make a white and brown rice. I like to use Minute Rice because it cooks right up in the pot with all the other ingredients. You could also use a different type of rice, such as jasmine or basmati, cook it in a separate pot, and then mix it in with the ground beef mixture.
- Veggie rice: Another option to cut back on the carbs would be to use cauliflower rice or broccoli rice instead of minute rice. To do this, just make the veggie rice separately and serve beef and veggie mixture over the top of it or mix it in with the ground beef mixture.
How to Make Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls
- Cook ground beef and drain excess fat. Place cooked ground beef in a pot.
- Use the same pan to brown the onions. Add cooked onions to the pot with ground beef.
- Add cabbage, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, white vinegar, brown sugar, beef broth, paprika, minced garlic, salt and black pepper to the large pot.
- Mix together, then put on the stovetop and bring to a boil. Simmer, on low, covered, for 20 minutes.
- Add rice.
Pro-Tip: If you plan to use a different type of rice from the Minute Rice, and you will be cooking it in a separate pot, I recommend starting the pot of rice at the same time that you begin to brown the ground beef. That way it is cooked and ready to go when you need to add it in with the other ingredients. - Cook, covered, for 10 minutes. Serve hot.
Tips for Making Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls
- Only one pan is needed for this recipe. You can brown the meat and the onions in the large pot you use for the remainder of the recipe. It makes for a really easy clean-up if you do it like this! If you prefer, brown the meat and onions in a large frying pan then transfer them to the big pot!
- If you plan to use a different type of rice from the Minute Rice, and you will be cooking it in a separate pot, I recommend starting the pot of rice at the same time that you begin to brown the ground beef. That way it is cooked and ready to go when you need to add it in with the other ingredients.
How to Store Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls
Refrigerate: Place in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
Freeze: For longer storage, freeze in a suitable container for up to 3 months.
Reheat: Thaw overnight in the fridge if frozen, then reheat in the microwave, on the stove, or in the oven at 350°F until warm.
Frequently Asked Questions
This dish actually tastes better the next day as the flavors have more time to meld together. Prepare the recipe as directed, allow it to cool, and then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave when ready to serve.
To make a vegetarian version of Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls, substitute the ground meat with lentils, quinoa, or a meat substitute you choose. You may also want to add more vegetables like mushrooms or bell peppers for added texture and flavor.
What to Serve with Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls
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Unstuffed Cabbage Roll
Ingredients
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 medium white onion diced
- 1 small head cabbage chopped (core removed)
- 28 ounce can diced tomatoes
- 15 ounce can (398ml) tomato sauce
- ¼ cup white vinegar
- 2 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 cup beef broth (low sodium)
- 1½ tablespoon paprika
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 1 cup Minute Rice uncooked
Instructions
- In a large frying pan, thoroughly cook ground beef and drain off excess fat. Once cooked, place in an 8 quart stockpot.
- In the same (now empty) frying pan, brown onions. Add cooked onions to same large pot.
- Add the rest of the ingredients to the large pot except the rice.
- Stir well to mix then put on stovetop bringing to a boil over high heat.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer (covered) for 20 minutes.
- Add uncooked rice then cook (covered) for an additional 10 minutes.
- Serve hot.
Jenn’s Notes
Freeze: For longer storage, freeze in a suitable container for up to 3 months.
Reheat: Thaw overnight in the fridge if frozen, then reheat in the microwave, on the stove, or in the oven at 350°F until warm. Important Note: If you plan to use a different type of rice from the Minute Rice, and you will be cooking it in a separate pot, I recommend starting the pot of rice at the same time that you begin to brown the ground beef. That way it is cooked and ready to go when you need to add it in with the other ingredients.
Nutrition Info
Other Easy Dinner Recipes
Stuffed Zucchini Boats | Cowboy Casserole | Crack Chicken Casserole | Ritz Chicken Casserole | Garlic Butter Steak Bites | Chicken Cobbler | Cornbread Cowboy Casserole
We like sauerkraut with our cabbage rolls would you be able to mix sauerkraut in with this?