Easy Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls

Learn how to make easy Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls recipe on the stove top, Instant Pot, or slow cooker. Serve it with rice for a hearty weeknight family dinner, or transform it into a slimmed down low carb meal!

I am a huge fan Ina Garten’s Stuffed Cabbage Roll recipe…on special occasions. This classic comfort food meal makes the absolute best cabbage rolls, but they take forever!

Ina’s recipe has tender cabbage leaves wrapped around a ground beef and rice filling. Once assembled, they nestle in a robustly flavored tomato sauce with brown sugar and raisins to add a touch of sweetness.

Then they simmer and bake to perfection in a covered dutch oven. Your home will smell like heaven, and you will want to take a nap. (Go for it. You’ve earned it!)

Yes, cabbage rolls are a tedious and labor intensive recipe. However, there’s a way to enjoy the same rich, comforting flavors without the work!

Quick and Easy Dinner recipe

Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls with rice are made quickly and easily in a skillet, Instant Pot, or slow cooker. The taste is spot on, but are served in about 30 minutes!

The stove top or pressure cooker versions are perfect when you need a quick weeknight meal. Alternatively, use the slow cooker recipe to cook while you are away from home.

Is this recipe low carb?

Our family serves cabbage roll skillet over rice, but this meal easily transforms into a low carb or keto friendly recipe.

For low carb or keto unstuffed cabbage rolls, serve without rice. Omit the brown sugar to reduce the carbs to 13 grams and calories to 346 per serving.

Ingredients needed

Like unstuffed egg rolls and ground beef bulgogi, this skillet recipe uses a simple and affordable list of ingredients for a family friendly meal.

• Ground Beef – Ground sirloin, ground chuck, ground turkey, or ground beef may be used.
• Onions
• Garlic
• Seasonings – paprika, thyme, brown sugar, salt and pepper
• Tomatoes – diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste
• Raisins
• Beef broth
• Chopped cabbage
• Raisins, optional
• Cooked Rice – long grain, brown rice, or omit for low carb version

How To Make Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls {Stove Top}

1. In a large skillet brown ground beef and onion over medium heat for about 5 minutes. Add garlic to skillet and sauté for 30 seconds more.
2. Stir in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, beef broth, paprika, thyme, brown sugar, salt, and pepper to skillet and stir. Gently mix in chopped cabbage. Bring mixture to a boil. Cover skillet, reduce heat, and simmer for 15 minutes. Stir, recover, then simmer for 10 minutes longer, or until cabbage is tender.
3. Remove lid and add tomato paste. Stir and simmer, uncovered, for 5-10 minutes, or until sauce reduces slightly. If you prefer a thicker sauce, add additional tomato paste and stir. Serve over cooked rice or without for low carb.

How To Make Instant Pot Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls 

1. SAUTE beef and onion in pressure cooker until beef is no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute longer. Press CANCEL.
2. Add tomato sauce, drained diced tomatoes, beef broth, paprika, thyme, brown sugar, salt, pepper, and optional raisins. Seal lid and cook on HIGH pressure for 15 minutes. Quick release pressure and carefully remove lid.
3. Add chopped cabbage to the pot. Seal and lock lid in place. Cook on HIGH pressure for 3 minutes. Quick release pressure and carefully remove lid.
4. Stir in tomato paste until desired consistency. Serve over cooked rice or without for low carb.

Intimidated by using an Instant Pot? Learn in minutes with this Easy Start Instant Pot Guide full of tips, hacks, and tricks.

How To Make in the Slow Cooker 

1. Crumble raw ground beef on bottom of slow cooker. Layer chopped onions, garlic, chopped cabbage, and (optional) raisins over top.
2. In a medium bowl stir together tomato sauce, undrained diced tomatoes, beef broth, paprika, thyme, brown sugar, salt, and pepper. Pour over beef / cabbage layers.
3. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 4 hours. Serve over cooked rice or without for low carb.

cabbage roll Casserole 

Easily transform this skillet meal into a hearty casserole dish!

1. Prepare dish using stove top or Instant Pot directions. Cook 1 cup rice separately.
2. Grease a 9X13 baking dish and preheat oven to 350ºF.
3. Combine unstuffed cabbage rolls mixture with cooked rice.
4. Pour 1/2 cabbage mixture in casserole dish, sprinkle on 1 cup parmesan, mozzarella, or swiss cheese. Top with remaining cabbage mixture and sprinkle with 1 additional cup of cheese.
5. Bake, uncovered, for 30-45 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

Cooks Tips

1. This recipe uses about 1/2 head of cabbage. Save the remaining half to make Easy Roasted Cabbage for a future meal. So good!
2. Transform leftovers into cabbage roll soup! Add cooked rice, additional beef broth, cup of water, tomato sauce, or a combination of them all.
3. Save time by substituting cole slaw mix instead of chopping fresh cabbage.
4. I like the raisins to mimic traditional cabbage rolls, but they may be omitted.
5. If you prefer a thicker sauce, add additional tomato paste. To thin sauce, add additional tomato sauce, broth, or water.

Click here to see the
step-by-step web story instructions for this recipe! 

More Comfort Food Favorites 

• Baked Mac and Cheese – Super creamy homemade Velveeta Mac and Cheese is the ultimate family favorite recipe we’ve enjoyed for years.
• French Dip – Learn how to make the best french dip sandwiches in the pressure cooker or crockpot with a few easy steps!
• Stuffed Pepper Soup – Everyone gobbles up this family favorite version full of bell peppers, rice, ground beef, and a flavorful tomato base.
• Tuna Noodle Casserole – A homemade, classic recipe with a crunchy potato chip topping, no condensed soup, and is easily adaptable to make gluten free.
• Cheeseburger Casserole – Layers a creamy ground beef filling with tater tots, bacon, and lots of gooey cheese on top

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