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Home » Ingredient » Beef » Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls

Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls

By: Rosemary Published: January 13, 2021 Updated on: October 16, 2022

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These Unstuffed or Lazy Cabbage Rolls, make the perfect quick, easy and delicious weeknight meal. No stuffing required, no side dish needed, it’s a meal in itself! 

unstuffed cabbage rolls in a white pan

I love this recipe, this is a recipe that my Mom made way back when. I imagine this is when Casseroles  were all the rage. When I moved to Italy from Canada my Mom gave me most of her recipes all written out in her hand writing, but unfortunately this was not in the group.

How I have looked for this easy Lazy Cabbage Rolls recipe everywhere over the years, from food blogs to googling it, from  asking my sisters and anyone and everyone who ever tasted this recipe. No one had it and no one remembered how it was made or so I thought. This was another of the lost and found recipes that my sister in Toronto had. One of the tastiest and easiest casseroles to make.

Table of Contents

  • How to make it
  • How to store it
  • More Delicious Casseroles
      • Never Miss a Recipe!
  • Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls
    • Ingredients  1x2x3x
    • Instructions 
    • Nutrition

How to make it

In a large frying pan add the olive oil, garlic, onion, and ground beef, cook on medium heat until almost all browned.

tomato & shredded cabbage in bowls ground beef, olive oil & onions in a black pan

Then add the cabbage, tomatoes, water and rice, stir to combine, add the spices and combine. Cook over low-medium heat until cooked and thickened. 

the browned meat in the pan and cabbage, tomatoes and rice added

This recipe can be made in the oven or as I  usually make it, in a skillet on top of stove.

How to store it

Any left overs should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge. It will keep for up to 3 days. It can also be frozen in a freezer safe container. It will keep for up to 2-3 months in the freezer. Thaw overnight in the fridge, re-heat either in the microwave, oven or in a skillet on the stove.

unstuffed cabbage rolls in a white & red pan

More Delicious Casseroles

Easy Cheesy Potato & Cauliflower Casserole

Creamy Broccoli Potato Casserole

Broccoli Cheese Bake

I have made cabbage rolls the classic way and yes they are amazing, but very time consuming, too many dirty dishes, but these Lazy Cabbage Rolls come together so quickly! And what could be better then everything mixed together in one bowl? Let me know if you try it. Buon Appetito!

a spoonful of lazy cabbage rolls

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    a spoonful of lazy cabbage rolls

    Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls

    Rosemary Molloy
    These Unstuffed or Lazy Cabbage Rolls, make the perfect quick, easy and delicious weeknight meal. No stuffing required and no side dish needed.
    4.69 from 47 votes
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    Prep Time 20 mins
    Cook Time 30 mins
    Total Time 50 mins
    Course Main Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 370 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
    • 1-2 clove garlic (minced)
    • 1 small onion (chopped)
    • 1 pound lean ground beef (1/2 kilo)
    • 4 cups shredded or finely chopped cabbage (320 grams)
    • 1 can whole Plum/Marzano Tomatoes chopped (nothing added) (14 ounces) (400 grams)
    • 2 ½ cups water (590 grams)
    • ¾ cup uncooked rice (150 grams)
    • ½-1 teaspoon oregano
    • 1-2 pinches of hot pepper flakes (if desired)
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 pinch pinch of thyme (optional)
    • 4-5 fresh basil leaves or parsley chopped (or more if desired)

    Instructions
     

    • In a large frying pan add the olive oil, garlic, onion, and ground beef, cook on medium heat until almost all browned.
    • Then add the cabbage, tomatoes, water and rice, stir to combine, add the spices and combine. Cook over low-medium heat for approximately 30 minutes or until cooked and thickened. Enjoy!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 370kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 28gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 389mgPotassium: 577mgFiber: 3gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 69IUVitamin C: 27mgCalcium: 60mgIron: 3mg
    Keyword lazy cabbage rolls, unstuffed cabbage rolls
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Updated from October 30, 2014

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      Beef, Casseroles & Bakes, Fall/Winter, Main Dish, Main Dish, Most Posts, Vegetables

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      1. Kim says

        October 16, 2022 at 8:01 pm

        Love your recipes – easy & delicious
        Where can I get your aprons that have An Italian in my Kitchen?
        Cheers & Hugs

        Reply
        • Rosemary says

          October 20, 2022 at 4:19 pm

          Hi Kim, thanks so much, unfortunately I had the aprons made for my daughters when they do youtube videos. 🙂 Take care!

          Reply
      2. Janine Tate says

        October 15, 2022 at 8:24 pm

        I brown 2 lbs jimmy dean ground sausage..drain. Add cabbage head chopped. Add 2 cans Rotel maters , chopped onion. Sweet Vidalia. Chopped garlic. Season. Top with water. Cook till done. …

        Reply
        • Rosemary says

          October 16, 2022 at 9:44 pm

          Hi Janine, sounds delicious, glad you like it. Take care!

          Reply
      3. Pixie says

        October 15, 2022 at 7:41 pm

        I can’t wait to make your Unstuffed Cabbage Roll soup!

        Reply
        • Rosemary says

          October 16, 2022 at 9:41 pm

          Hi Pixie, thanks I hope you enjoy it. Take care!

          Reply
      4. Lo says

        October 15, 2022 at 7:13 pm

        What size can of tomatoes?

        Reply
        • Lo says

          October 15, 2022 at 7:17 pm

          Oops, just saw the 400 grams measurement. Thanks.

          Reply
        • Rosemary says

          October 16, 2022 at 9:34 pm

          Hi Lo that would be a 14 ounce can. I hope you enjoy it. Take care!

          Reply
      5. Anon Myst says

        September 30, 2022 at 3:39 am

        4 stars
        Turned out great. I doubled the recipie and thought the rice seemed like a small amount and added an additional 1l2 cup. Don’t! It’ll look like the rice isn’t enough until near the end. Lol. I had some rice turn out undercooked due to me doubting the listed recipie. But otherwise thise recipie rocked.

        Reply
        • Rosemary says

          September 30, 2022 at 5:54 pm

          Hi Anon thanks so much so glad you enjoyed the recipe even adding extra rice. 🙂 Have a great weekend take care!

          Reply
      6. Susan says

        May 14, 2022 at 12:57 am

        5 stars
        Very easy and tasty. Love the simplicity. Our family is Polish and love golumbkis made fresh and simple…not swimming in tomato soup. This one tastes just like our long version of wrapping, etc. Thank You!

        Reply
        • Rosemary says

          May 14, 2022 at 11:03 am

          Hi Susan, thanks so much, so glad you enjoyed it. Take care, have a great weekend.

          Reply
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      Hi, I'm Rosemary.

      Living in Italy I learned to cook authentic Italian dishes using whole ingredients, fresh veggies and delicious spices. So take a seat and have a taste! Read More

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