Crock Pot Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls
If you love classic stuffed cabbage rolls but don’t love all the work that goes into making them, you’re going to LOVE these Crock Pot Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls!
This easy slow cooker dinner has all the cozy flavors of traditional cabbage rolls—ground beef, tender cabbage, tomatoes, and rice—but everything gets tossed right into the crock pot. No boiling cabbage leaves, no rolling, and definitely no fuss! (That’s my kind of dinner 😉)
It’s a hearty, comforting meal that’s perfect for a busy weeknight. Plus, it freezes well!
Why You’ll Love Crock Pot Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls
- Easy slow cooker dinner – Let the crock pot do most of the work!
- No cabbage rolling required – All the flavors of cabbage rolls without the extra steps.
- Family-friendly – Simple ingredients and familiar flavors make this a great family dinner.
- Budget-friendly – Ground beef, cabbage, tomatoes, and rice make an inexpensive and filling meal.
- Great for leftovers – The flavors are even better the next day! This dinner also freezes well.
What Are Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls?
Unstuffed cabbage rolls are basically the shortcut version of traditional stuffed cabbage.
Instead of wrapping a meat and rice mixture inside individual cabbage leaves, all of the ingredients are cooked together in the crock pot. The cabbage becomes tender and flavorful while the beef, tomatoes, and seasonings create a delicious sauce.
It has all the comfort of classic cabbage rolls without having to spend time stuffing and rolling cabbage leaves.
Ingredients
For the Crock Pot Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls
- Ground beef: I use lean ground beef, but ground turkey works, too.
- Yellow onion: Adds flavor and sweetness to the dish.
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic adds even more flavor.
- Green cabbage: Chop the cabbage into bite-size pieces.
- Crushed tomatoes: Creates the tomato base for the cabbage rolls.
- Tomato sauce: Adds extra tomato flavor and helps create the sauce.
- Beef broth: Adds moisture and flavor while everything cooks.
- Brown sugar: Just a little helps balance the acidity of the tomatoes.
- Worcestershire sauce: Adds a delicious savory flavor.
- Salt and black pepper: For seasoning.
- Paprika: Adds a little warmth and extra flavor.
- Italian seasoning: A simple way to season the beef and cabbage.
- Cooked white rice: Stir this in near the end so it doesn’t become mushy. Brown rice can also be used.
How to Make Crock Pot Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls
1. Brown the Ground Beef
Start by browning the ground beef and diced onion in a skillet over medium-high heat. Break the beef apart as it cooks.
Once the beef is no longer pink, drain any excess grease.
Can you skip browning the beef? Technically, yes, but I recommend browning it first. It adds much more flavor and prevents excess grease from ending up in the crock pot.
2. Put It All Together
Add the browned beef and onions to a 6-quart slow cooker.
Add the minced garlic, chopped cabbage, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning.
Give everything a good stir.
3. Let the Crock Pot Do the Work
Cover and cook on LOW for 5–6 hours, or until the cabbage is tender.
The cabbage will cook down quite a bit as it becomes tender.
4. Add the Rice
Stir in the cooked rice during the last 20–30 minutes of cooking.
I recommend cooking the rice separately rather than adding uncooked rice at the beginning. Uncooked rice can absorb too much of the liquid and become overly soft.
5. Serve
Give everything a good stir and taste for seasoning.
Sprinkle with fresh parsley if you’d like, then serve warm!
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Tips for the Best Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls
Don’t skip browning the beef. It only takes a few extra minutes and gives the dish so much more flavor.
Cut the cabbage into bite-size pieces. You want the cabbage to be easy to scoop up with the beef and rice.
Add the rice at the end. Using cooked rice keeps it from getting mushy while the cabbage cooks.
Want it a little sweeter? Add another tablespoon of brown sugar. That sweet tomato flavor is one of my favorite things about cabbage rolls!
Make it with ground turkey. Ground turkey is an easy substitute for the ground beef.
Add cheese! A sprinkle of shredded mozzarella or Parmesan over the top is delicious.
What to Serve with Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls
This is already a hearty one-pot-style meal, but there are plenty of easy sides that go well with it.
Try serving it with:
- Crusty French bread
- Garlic bread
- Mashed potatoes
- Green beans
- A simple green salad
- Roasted vegetables
I especially love serving it with some crusty bread so you can scoop up all that delicious tomato sauce!
Can I Use Ground Turkey Instead of Ground Beef?
Absolutely! Ground turkey works really well in this recipe. You can also use ground chicken if that’s what you have on hand.
Is This Able To Be Made Ahead?
Yes! Crock Pot Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls are great for meal prep.
You can make the recipe ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or gently warm them on the stovetop.
Are Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls Freezer Friendly?
Yes. Let the cooked cabbage mixture cool completely, then transfer it to freezer-safe containers.
For the best texture, you may want to freeze the cabbage mixture without the rice and make fresh rice when you’re ready to serve it.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat until hot.
Can I Use Red Cabbage?
You can, although I prefer green cabbage for this recipe. Red cabbage will change the color and slightly change the flavor, but it will still work.
Why Is My Cabbage Still Firm?
Slow cookers can vary, so if your cabbage isn’t as tender as you’d like after 5 hours, simply continue cooking until it reaches your preferred texture.
Cutting the cabbage into smaller pieces will also help it cook more quickly.
Easy Crock Pot Comfort Food
These Crock Pot Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls are exactly the kind of dinner I love—simple ingredients, minimal prep, and the slow cooker does the heavy lifting!
You get all the delicious flavors of classic stuffed cabbage rolls without spending time boiling cabbage leaves and carefully rolling each one.
Serve it with some crusty bread and you’ve got an easy, cozy dinner the whole family will love
More Crock Pot Recipes You’ll Love
- Mississippi Pot Roast
- Buttery Beef and Potatoes
- Beef Ragu
- Beef and Broccoli
- Italian Beef Sandwiches
- French Dip Sandwiches
Crock Pot Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls
Equipment
- crock pot 6 quart or larger
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 small head green cabbage chopped (about 5-6 cups)
- 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 15 ounce can tomato sauce
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1½ cups cooked white or brown rice
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef and diced onion in a skillet over medium-high heat until the beef is no longer pink. Add salt and pepper to taste to season the beef. Drain excess grease, if necessary.
- Add the cooked beef and onions to a 6-quart or larger crock pot.
- Add the garlic, chopped cabbage, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 5–6 hours, or until the cabbage is tender. (or high for 3 hours)
- Stir in the cooked rice during the last 20–30 minutes of cooking.
- Taste and adjust the seasonings if needed, scoop into bowls and enjoy!
Notes
- Ground turkey can be substituted for ground beef.
- Cooked rice should be added near the end to prevent it from becoming mushy.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for 3–4 days.
- For a sweeter cabbage-roll flavor, add an additional tablespoon of brown sugar.
Nutrition
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