Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls

All the flavors you want without the time and effort.

By
Laurel Randolph
Laurel Randolph
Laurel Randolph
Laurel has over 10 years of experience developing recipes and writing about food. She is the author of 4 cookbooks, including the bestselling "The Instant Pot Electric Cookbook."
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Updated March 12, 2025
Laurel Randolph
unstuffed cabbaged rolls in a large pan

Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Lindsey Lower

Cabbage rolls are an Eastern European and American favorite, with tender cabbage leaves wrapped around savory rice and beef filling and bathed in tomato sauce. They’re pure comfort food, but between boiling or steaming the cabbage, cooking the rice and the beef, and wrapping up each roll before baking, they’re a labor of love.

If you’re craving the flavors of these classic cabbage rolls but have the time and don’t require a super polished presentation, then this is the recipe for you. These unstuffed cabbage rolls use all of the same ingredients but are ready in a fraction of the time. Microwavable rice shrinks the cook time even further and keeps the dish a one-pot dinner—no need to boil a pot of rice.

For a one-pot, one-dish meal that’s sure to satisfy, make unstuffed cabbage rolls and cross dinner off your to-do list.

Simple Recipe Variations

  • Swap the green cabbage for savoy cabbage. Avoid red cabbage since it takes too long to cook and will turn the dish an odd color.
  • Replace the ground beef with pork sausage for extra flavor.
  • Use your favorite tomato sauce. A garlicky sauce will add extra garlic flavor, and a spicy one will add a kick.
unstuffed cabbage rolls in a large pan at a table setting with a stack of plates, a small bowl of minced herbs, glasses of water, and a pepper cracker

Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Lindsey Lower

Cabbage Dinners

Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls

Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Total Time 40 mins
Servings 4 servings

This recipe was developed by Jasmine Smith.

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Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons canola oil

  • 1 pound 90/10 lean ground beef

  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped

  • 3 large garlic cloves, minced

  • 1 small head (about 1 1/4 pounds) green cabbage, chopped (8 cups)

  • 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce

  • 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes

  • 1 1/4 cups water

  • 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar

  • 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar

  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt

  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 1 (8.5 to 8.8-ounce) package microwavable white rice

  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill and/or parsley, plus more for garnish

Method

  1. Brown the beef, onion, and garlic:

    Heat the oil in a large, deep-sided skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the beef, onion, and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally and breaking up the meat, until browned and crumbly, about 5 minutes.

  2. Add cabbage, tomatoes, and seasonings and simmer:

    Add the cabbage and cook, stirring occasionally, until wilted, about 5 minutes. Stir in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, water, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper until combined. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.

    Reduce the heat to medium and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage is tender, about 15 minutes.

  3. Add the rice and garnish:

    Stir the uncooked rice into the mixture in the skillet until well combined. Cook, uncovered and stirring occasionally, until the rice is tender, about 2 minutes. 

    Remove from the heat. Stir in the herbs until combined. Garnish with additional herbs and serve. 

    Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also freeze for up to 3 months.

    Love the recipe? Leave us stars and a comment below!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
485 Calories
23g Fat
43g Carbs
29g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 485
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 23g 29%
Saturated Fat 6g 31%
Cholesterol 76mg 25%
Sodium 1387mg 60%
Total Carbohydrate 43g 16%
Dietary Fiber 7g 24%
Total Sugars 17g
Protein 29g
Vitamin C 68mg 342%
Calcium 157mg 12%
Iron 5mg 30%
Potassium 1192mg 25%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.