🥬 Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls – Comfort in a Bowl

by

Sometimes the best meals are the ones that bring all the classic flavors together without the fuss.
These Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls take the traditional stuffed cabbage recipe you know and love, but simplify it into a crockpot-friendly, hearty, and flavorful casserole in a bowl.

Ground beef, tender cabbage, and a rich tomato-based sauce meld together over hours of slow cooking, making a dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights or lazy Sunday dinners. Serve it over fluffy rice for the ultimate comfort meal — creamy, tangy, and incredibly satisfying.

🍴 Ingredients

For the Filling:

1 pound ground beef

1 yellow onion, diced

1 teaspoon dried thyme

2 teaspoons dried parsley

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1 teaspoon salt

Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

For the Cabbage and Sauce:

1 small head green cabbage, chopped into ~1-inch pieces

14 oz can petite diced tomatoes

6 oz can tomato paste

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

1/2 cup water

👩‍🍳 Instructions

Step 1: Brown the Beef

  1. In a skillet over medium-high heat, crumble and cook the ground beef until it’s just a little pink in the center.
  2. Drain excess fat if needed.

Step 2: Add Aromatics & Seasonings

  1. Stir in the diced onion, thyme, parsley, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and salt.
  2. Cook everything together for 3–5 minutes, until the onions soften and the spices are fragrant.
  3. Transfer this mixture to your crockpot.

Step 3: Prepare the Cabbage

  1. Chop the cabbage into 1-inch pieces.
  2. Add the cabbage directly to the crockpot on top of the beef mixture.

Step 4: Make the Sauce

  1. In a mixing bowl or large measuring cup, combine:

Diced tomatoes

Tomato paste

Worcestershire sauce

Water

  1. Stir until smooth and pour over the cabbage and beef in the crockpot.

Step 5: Mix and Cook

  1. Stir everything together gently so that the cabbage, beef, and sauce are evenly distributed.
  2. Cover and cook on low for 6–8 hours.

If possible, stir halfway through to mix flavors.

Step 6: Serve

Spoon the unstuffed cabbage rolls over a bed of rice and enjoy a warm, comforting, and hearty meal.

🌟 Tips & Tricks

Rice or Mashed Potatoes: This dish pairs beautifully with white rice, mashed potatoes, or even egg noodles.

Extra Veggies: Add shredded carrots or bell peppers to increase the flavor and nutrition.

Make Ahead: This recipe tastes even better the next day after the flavors have melded overnight.

💬 Why You’ll Love It

All the flavors of traditional cabbage rolls without the rolling hassle

Slow-cooked for maximum tenderness

Perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or potlucks

Leave a Comment