Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe – Easy One Pot Wonder

Let’s be honest—some nights, just the idea of rolling a bunch of cabbage leaves around beef and rice is enough to make you say, “Maybe tomorrow.” That’s exactly why I fell in love with this Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe.

It has all the comforting, saucy goodness of traditional Ukrainian cabbage rolls—but without the fuss. No rolling, no toothpicks, no praying everything stays together in the oven. Just one big skillet (or Dutch oven), some pantry staples, and boom—dinner is bubbling away while you catch your breath.

This one’s become a weeknight lifesaver in my house, especially on those chilly New York evenings when all I want is a one-pot wonder that feels like a hug.

Why You’ll Love This Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe

• One pot, minimal cleanup.
• Comforting, rich flavors with a hint of tomato tang.
• No rolling or layering—just chop and stir.
• It reheats beautifully (hello, lunch leftovers).
• Kid-friendly, budget-friendly, time-friendly.

Whether you’re feeding picky eaters or just need something hearty on the table fast, this one’s got you covered.

What Does Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe Taste Like?

Imagine the warm, slightly sweet flavor of simmered cabbage, mingling with juicy ground beef, aromatic herbs, and rice that soaks up every bit of tomatoey goodness. There’s a little heat if you want it (thank you, chili powder), and a lot of old-world charm in every spoonful.

It’s cozy food—like grandma made it, but without spending all day in the kitchen.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe

You probably have half of these in your kitchen already. And the rest? A quick market run, and you’re golden.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil – For sautéing the base flavors.
• 1 small onion, finely chopped – A classic starting point.
• 1 pound ground beef – Go lean if you like, or even mix in pork.
• 3 cloves garlic, minced – Don’t skimp here!
• 1 teaspoon chili powder – Optional, but adds warmth.
• 1 teaspoon each dried oregano + thyme – The herb combo that makes this dish sing.
• 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper – To balance everything.
• ½ teaspoon paprika – Smoky, earthy, subtle.
• ½ cup uncooked white rice – It’ll cook right in the pot.
• 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 cup beef broth – Adds richness.
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce – That “secret something.”
• 1 small cabbage, chopped into bite-sized pieces
• ½ cup water, as needed – For adjusting the consistency.

📝 Looking for other comforting beef dishes? Try my Easy Crockpot Vegetable Beef Soup or this ultra-savory Beef and Barley Soup.

How to Make Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe (Step-by-Step)

If you’ve ever made traditional cabbage rolls, you know they can be a bit of a project—the boiling, stuffing, rolling… not ideal when dinner needs to hit the table fast.

This Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe skips all the fiddly parts and delivers the same cozy flavors in a fraction of the time.

Here’s how to make it, step-by-step:

Step 1: Sauté Your Aromatics and Beef

Start by heating 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. I love using my enameled Dutch oven for recipes like this—it holds heat beautifully and makes cleanup a breeze.

Add 1 small finely chopped onion and 1 pound of ground beef to the pot. As it cooks, break up the beef with a wooden spoon or spatula so it browns evenly.

Keep stirring occasionally until:

• The beef is no longer pink
• The onions are soft and translucent

This should take about 6 to 8 minutes. You’re building a rich, savory base here—don’t rush it.

Step 2: Add Garlic and Spices

Now it’s time to infuse your beef mixture with flavor.

Add the following:

• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon chili powder (optional, for a little kick)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon paprika

Stir everything together and let it cook for 30–60 seconds, just until the garlic becomes fragrant. You don’t want the garlic to brown—just warm it up so it releases that magical aroma.

📝 Love tomato-based comfort meals? You might enjoy this reader favorite: Easy Crockpot Vegetable Beef Soup.

Step 3: Add Rice and Liquids

With your beef now seasoned to perfection, it’s time to make it saucy (literally!).

Add:

• ½ cup uncooked white rice
• 1 (28-ounce) can of crushed tomatoes
• 1 (8-ounce) can of tomato sauce
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Give everything a good stir so the rice is distributed evenly and the beef mixture is well-coated in that rich tomato sauce.

This is when the dish starts to look and smell like something truly special.

Step 4: Stir in the Cabbage

Now grab your 1 small cabbage, chopped into bite-sized pieces.

Tip: Don’t dump it all in at once—it likely won’t fit! Instead:

• Add a few handfuls of cabbage at a time
• Stir gently
• Let it wilt slightly before adding more

The heat from the tomato mixture will help the cabbage cook down, making room for the rest. This layering helps the cabbage absorb more flavor, too.

Step 5: Simmer and Let the Magic Happen

Once all the cabbage is in and everything’s well mixed, increase the heat slightly and bring the pot to a gentle boil.

Then:

• Reduce the heat to low
• Cover the pot with a lid
• Let it simmer for 20 to 25 minutes

Give it a stir every 7–10 minutes to make sure nothing is sticking to the bottom. If the mixture starts to look dry, add up to ½ cup water to loosen it up. The rice and cabbage will soak up that saucy goodness as they cook.

You’ll know it’s done when:

• The cabbage is tender but not mushy
• The rice is cooked through
• The sauce is thick and cozy

Step 6: Serve and Savor

Spoon the Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls into bowls and serve them hot, ideally with a slice of crusty bread or over buttery mashed potatoes (if you’re feeling extra).

This is a dish that fills the kitchen with nostalgic, homey aromas—and fills bellies with real, satisfying goodness.

💡 Bonus tip: If you’re meal-prepping, let it cool before transferring to airtight containers. It tastes even better the next day!

Tips and Tricks for Perfect Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe

• Use uncooked rice – Trust me, cooked rice will turn this dish into tomato soup.
• Make it in a Dutch oven – It holds heat beautifully and simmers everything evenly.
• Batch the cabbage – Seriously, unless you want cabbage confetti all over your stovetop.
• Swap meats – Turkey or pork work great too.
• Spice lovers – Add red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce.

Storage Tips

Leftovers? Oh, they’re even better the next day.

• Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Freeze portions in freezer-safe bags or containers for up to 2 months.
• Reheat: Microwave or warm gently on the stovetop with a splash of water or broth.

FAQs

Can I make this in a slow cooker?
Yes! Brown the meat and onions first, then add everything to the slow cooker. Cook on LOW for 5–6 hours or HIGH for 2.5–3 hours.

Can I use brown rice?
Absolutely, but it takes longer to cook and may need a bit more liquid.

Is it gluten-free?
Yes, just double-check your Worcestershire sauce or use a GF version.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a hearty, satisfying dish that feels like it simmered all day but really only took about 30 minutes—this Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe is your new best friend. It’s easy, flexible, and feeds a hungry crowd (or a small family with big appetites).

And if your kids love it? You just found yourself a new weeknight regular.

Follow us on Pinterest for weekly slow cooker inspiration, or join the conversation over on our Facebook page where fellow food lovers share their favorite comfort meals.

Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe – Easy One Pot Wonder

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• Author: Veronica Taylor
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x

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Description

Unstuffed cabbage rolls combine tender cabbage, savory ground beef, and a flavorful tomato sauce. It’s an easy, one-pot meal perfect for busy weeknights!

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 pound ground beef
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon chili powder, optional
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon pepper
• 1⁄2 teaspoon paprika
• 1⁄2 cup uncooked white rice
• 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 small cabbage, chopped into bite-sized pieces
• 1⁄2 cup water, as needed

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Instructions

1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onions and ground beef and sauté until the onions are translucent and the beef is no longer pink. Break up the meat with a wooden spoon as it cooks.

2. Add the garlic, chili powder, oregano, thyme, salt, pepper, and paprika. Stir well and cook for about 30 seconds or until the garlic is fragrant.

3. Stir in the uncooked rice, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, broth, Worcestershire sauce, and cabbage. Mix well and bring to a boil.

4. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 20-25 minutes or until the cabbage is tender. If the mixture looks dry, add the water.

5. Serve hot and enjoy!

Notes

Use uncooked rice. If you add cooked rice, there will be too much liquid in the mix and it’ll be soupy.

Add the cabbage in batches. It may not all fit if you add it all at once. So, add a bit at a time, letting it wilt between additions.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: One Pot
• Cuisine: Ukrainian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 365
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: 680 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 65 mg

Keywords: unstuffed cabbage rolls, ground beef, one pot meal, Ukrainian comfort food