Easy Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls | One-Pan Cabbage Roll Casserole

I was a mom of three teens, and dinner was already chaos. School, sports, music lessons. I made this unstuffed cabbage casserole because my husband loves traditional cabbage rolls. One pan, thirty minutes, same delicious, rich flavor as the traditional blanching and rolling, and the kids actually ate the cabbage. No fuss, no fight, just dinner.

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Why I’ll Never Make Traditional Cabbage Rolls Again

As a modern twist on the traditional cabbage rolls, this casserole skips the labor-intensive rolling and opts for a layered approach with one pan. Whether you’re committed to a keto diet or just looking for an easy cabbage dish that keeps carbs in check.

My husband and I grew up loving cabbage rolls, but let’s be honest, all that blanching, stuffing, and rolling takes most of your afternoon. I made them once when we were first married. Everyone loved them, but it was so much work. I never made them again.

These easy unstuffed cabbage rolls are my answer to that. Same cozy, rich flavor — ground beef, tender cabbage, savory tomato, all cooked together in one pan in about 30 minutes. When I first made this unstuffed cabbage rolls recipe on a busy Tuesday, my three teens cleaned their plates. They didn’t even realize they were eating cabbage.

When I started watching my carbs, I knew there had to be a better way to get that same cozy, satisfying flavor without spending hours in the kitchen. This one-pan casserole gives you everything you love about the original in about 30 minutes flat.

This ground meat dish will prove that healthy, easy recipes can also be incredibly satisfying. So why wait? Let’s dive into how to create this crowd-pleaser that is sure to become a staple in your collection of casserole recipes.

WHAT ARE UNSTUFFED CABBAGE ROLLS?

Unstuffed cabbage rolls are a deconstructed version of classic stuffed cabbage rolls. Instead of blanching whole cabbage leaves and rolling them around seasoned ground beef and rice.

With this recipe, you chop the cabbage and cook everything beef, cabbage, diced tomatoes, and seasonings together in one pan. The result is the same hearty, comforting cabbage rolls recipe flavor in a fraction of the time. It’s also called a cabbage roll casserole, lazy cabbage rolls, or deconstructed cabbage rolls.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

• One pan, easy cleanup. Everything cooks in a single skillet no extra pots or pans to wash.
• Ready in about 30 minutes. You get all the flavor of traditional cabbage rolls without the 2-hour commitment.
• Kids actually eat the cabbage. When it’s cooked down soft in a savory tomato sauce, even picky eaters don’t notice.
• Naturally low-carb and keto-friendly. Skip the rice, and this dish is a great low-carb dinner option. Add rice if your family loves it. Instructions in the FAQ below.
• Great for meal prep. The flavors get even better overnight. Make it Sunday, eat it all week.

I know your family will love this recipe. It is so easy to make and delicious. Jim and I had it for dinner and then finished all of the leftovers for lunch the next day. You are going to love that you can make a healthy dinner in no time, and everyone will enjoy it. They may not even notice all the veggies.

Ingredients for Easy Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls

• 2 small onions, diced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
• 1 green bell pepper, diced (red or yellow work too)
• 1 pound lean ground beef I use Butcher Box Ground Beef
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon smoked or sweet paprika
• 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes, with liquid
• Salt and pepper to taste  I skip the salt and just use pepper for heart health
• A large head of green cabbage, chopped into bite-sized pieces
• 1 to 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (Monterey Jack works great too)

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Equipment You’ll Need

• Large deep-sided skillet or Dutch oven (you need the depth to hold the cabbage before it wilts down)
• Cutting board and sharp knife
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Lid for your pan (to cover and steam the cabbage until tender)

How to Make Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls

• Prep your vegetables first. Dice the onions and bell pepper, mince the garlic. Cut the cabbage in half, remove the outer leaves and the hard center core, then chop half the head into bite-sized pieces. Pro tip: Getting all your prep done before you turn on the heat makes this recipe move really fast.
• Saute the aromatics. Heat a large deep-sided skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil, then the onions and garlic. Once the onions begin to soften, add the diced bell pepper. Cook until everything is soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside.
• Brown the ground beef. Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the pan. Add the ground beef and break it into small pieces as it cooks. Brown all the way through, about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain any excess fat if needed.
• Add seasonings and tomatoes. To the browned beef, add the onion powder, oregano, paprika, diced tomatoes (with their liquid), salt, and pepper. Stir in the sauteed onion, garlic, and pepper mixture. Mix everything well. Pro tip: Do not drain the tomatoes. That liquid helps steam the cabbage in the next step.
• Add the cabbage and cook. Add the chopped cabbage on top, cover the pan, and cook on medium heat for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, stir everything together and cook uncovered for another 15 minutes, until the cabbage is wilted and tender. Pro tip: The cabbage will look like too much at first. It cooks down significantly. Just pile it in!
• Top with cheese and serve. When the cabbage is cooked to your liking, sprinkle the shredded cheddar over the top. Cover the pan for 1 to 2 minutes to let the cheese melt. Serve warm straight from the pan.

Variations for This Cabbage Roll Casserole

• Add rice for classic cabbage rolls flavor. Stir in 1 cup of cooked white or brown rice in the last 5 minutes of cooking. A great way to stretch the meal and feed a crowd.
• Swap the protein. Ground turkey or ground chicken both work beautifully here. Season a little more generously since turkey is milder than beef.
• Change up the cabbage. Napa cabbage works well and cooks a little faster. Green cabbage is the classic choice.
• Make it spicy. Add 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes, a pinch of chili powder, or a dash of Cajun seasoning to the beef for extra heat.
• Simplify the seasonings. No paprika or oregano on hand? A teaspoon of Italian seasoning is a great all-in-one substitute.
• Try different cheeses. Mozzarella gives you a great pull, parmesan adds a salty bite, and pepper jack adds a little kick.

Can You Make Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Casserole Ahead or Freeze It?

Can You Make Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Casserole Ahead or Freeze It?

Make Ahead:

• Make the full casserole up to 2 days ahead
• Store covered in the refrigerator
• Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat, or microwave in 90-second intervals
• The flavor actually gets better overnight, the spices have time to deepen

To Freeze:

• Cool completely before freezing
• Store in an airtight freezer-safe container
• Freeze for up to 3 months
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator
• Reheat gently on the stove, adding a splash of beef broth if it seems dry

Frequently Asked Questions: Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Casserole

More Easy Beef Dinner Recipes You’ll Love

• Tender Sirloin Cap CrockPot Recipe
• How to Make the Best Healthy Sloppy Joes Recipe
• Cheeseburger Mac and Cheese Casserole – no tomato sauce

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