Best 3 Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Recipes

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Unstuffed cabbage rolls are a comforting and flavorful dish that combines ground beef, rice, and vegetables, all wrapped in tender cabbage leaves and simmered in a rich tomato sauce. Originating from Eastern European cuisine, this hearty meal is a popular choice for families and is often served with mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or a side of crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce. This recipe offers a unique twist on the traditional stuffed cabbage rolls by simplifying the preparation process while preserving the classic flavors.

In this article, you'll find a step-by-step guide to making unstuffed cabbage rolls, along with variations and additional recipes to explore. Discover how to prepare a classic version with ground beef and rice, a vegetarian alternative with lentils and quinoa, and a low-carb option featuring cauliflower rice. With options to suit different dietary preferences and tastes, this versatile dish is sure to become a favorite in your kitchen.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

UNSTUFFED CABBAGE ROLL



Unstuffed Cabbage Roll image

This is a quick and easy main dish. My kids don't even like cabbage, but they love this. I usually try to serve it with green beans, new potatoes, corn, and a pan of corn bread. They eat over half the pan every time. Also, the longer it stands the better it tastes.

Provided by tlc_adams

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Stuffed Main Dish Recipes     Stuffed Cabbage

Time 55m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 pounds ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
1 small head cabbage, chopped
2 (14.5 ounce) cans diced tomatoes
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
½ cup water
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Heat a Dutch oven or large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir beef and onion in the hot Dutch oven until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes; drain and discard grease. Add cabbage, tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, garlic, salt, and pepper and bring to a boil. Cover Dutch oven, reduce heat, and simmer until cabbage is tender, about 30 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 398.3 calories, Carbohydrate 16.3 g, Cholesterol 92.9 mg, Fat 23.8 g, Fiber 5.2 g, Protein 28.5 g, SaturatedFat 9.3 g, Sodium 1294.3 mg, Sugar 9.7 g

UNSTUFFED CABBAGE ROLL SOUP



Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Soup image

This recipe came about after a failed casserole recipe turned into an amazing soup! Who says failure is a bad thing? You could even make this vegetarian/vegan by changing the meat to a veg friendly option and using a veg broth. Hope you enjoy this too!

Provided by Mamas Kitchen Hope

Categories     Rice

Time 45m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 medium cabbage (shredded and bagged cabbage or coleslaw mix works great and saves this step)
16 ounces ground turkey (TVP, veggie crumbles etc.) or 16 ounces lean ground beef (TVP, veggie crumbles etc.)
1 cup yellow onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced (more if you like)
1 eggs, beaten or 1 egg substitute
1 (14 ounce) can stewed tomatoes
8 ounces chicken broth or 8 ounces vegetarian chicken broth
12 ounces vegetable juice, like V8 (we like to use the hot & spicy here)
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon cayenne (more if you like) (optional)
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (veg friendly can be used)
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, fresh ground is best
1 bay leaf
salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 cup rice, raw

Steps:

  • Saute onion and garlic in a large skillet for about a minute. Add meat and cook, stirring often, until meat is no longer pink. Drain well and return to pan.
  • Meanwhile, remove tough outer leaves from cabbage & remove core. Shred cabbage if not using a bag of shredded cabbage.
  • Add cabbage into pan and saute with the meat just until the cabbage begins to soften.
  • Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and allow to simmer until rice is done. You can keep this on low for a long time if you like or even toss everything into a crock pot and keep on low.
  • To serve, ladle into bowls and garnish with a dollop of sour cream if desired. Remember- whoever finds the bay leaf is the lucky one! Just do not eat it!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 210.1, Fat 5.5, SaturatedFat 1.5, Cholesterol 62.4, Sodium 380.4, Carbohydrate 26, Fiber 4.3, Sugar 9.8, Protein 15.8

UNSTUFFED CABBAGE ROLL CASSEROLE



Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Casserole image

From a free Penzey's recipe card... Edited 3/24/08 to add that I have now made this recipe for the first time. We really liked it, but found it a bit bland, so I doubled the amounts of vinegar and brown sugar and also added some ketchup to jazz it up a bit. Definitely a keeper, though!

Provided by Michelle Berteig

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 55m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 lb ground chuck
1 onion, chopped
8 cups cabbage, cut into 1 inch wide strips (half of a 3 lb. cabbage)
1/2 cup water
28 ounces crushed tomatoes
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons caraway seeds
1 teaspoon garlic powder

Steps:

  • In a large skillet, brown the ground meat and drain off any grease. Add the chopped onion and cook for about 3 minutes, until the onions are softened.
  • Add the cabbage and water and cook for about 5 minutes, or until the cabbage starts to wilt.
  • Add the tomatoes, brown sugar, vinegar, salt, caraway seed and garlic. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and cover.
  • Simmer until the cabbage is cooked to the desired tenderness, about 30 minutes. Serve with white rice.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 295.1, Fat 10.3, SaturatedFat 3.7, Cholesterol 73.7, Sodium 831.8, Carbohydrate 27.2, Fiber 6.7, Sugar 17, Protein 25.9

Tips:

  • Prep the Cabbage Leaves Properly: Carefully remove the cabbage leaves, ensuring they remain intact. Blanch them in boiling water for a few minutes to soften them and make them pliable.
  • Use a Variety of Fillings: Feel free to experiment with different fillings. Popular options include ground beef, pork, rice, vegetables, and herbs.
  • Season the Filling Generously: Don't be shy with the seasonings! Use a combination of salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and any other desired spices to create a flavorful filling.
  • Sauce it Up: The sauce is crucial for adding moisture and flavor to the dish. Use a combination of tomato sauce, beef broth, and Worcestershire sauce for a classic taste.
  • Bake or Simmer: You can either bake the unstuffed cabbage rolls in the oven or simmer them in a pot on the stovetop. Both methods yield tender and delicious results.

Conclusion:

Unstuffed cabbage rolls are a delightful and versatile dish that offers endless possibilities for customization. With their hearty filling, flavorful sauce, and tender cabbage leaves, they are sure to be a hit at any table. Whether you prefer a traditional recipe or a creative twist, this dish is a must-try for any home cook. Experiment with different fillings, sauces, and cooking methods to find your perfect combination and enjoy this classic comfort food to the fullest!

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