Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls

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Are you craving cabbage rolls but don’t want to deal with the hassle of stuffing and rolling them? Try unstuffed cabbage rolls instead! This dish has all the delicious flavors of classic cabbage rolls without the extra work.

This unstuffed cabbage roll casserole is budget-friendly meal prep bliss that will have the whole family craving second helpings. This is also much easier to prepare than traditional stuffed cabbage rolls and proves you don’t have to sacrifice flavor for convenience. 

Why toil over fiddly stuffed cabbage rolls when you can enjoy maximum flavor for minimal effort? Ditch the hassle of rolling cabbage leaves and savor all the wholesomeness of unstuffed cabbage roll bliss. Let’s get started! 

What makes unstuffed cabbage rolls so special?

One of the best things about Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls is their simplicity. With this recipe, you can enjoy the hearty flavors of cabbage rolls without spending hours in the kitchen. The ingredients, which include lean ground beef, onions, garlic, and a mix of spices and sauces, are cooked together in one pot, giving the dish a fantastic depth of flavor. 

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What are some common mistakes to avoid when making unstuffed cabbage rolls?

Crafting the perfect unstuffed cabbage roll casserole is easy if you sidestep a few key missteps. Don’t let undercooked cabbage ruin your dish – be sure to briefly pre-cook the shredded leaves before assembling. Watch your liquid levels, too – stick to around 1 cup, or the casserole can turn soggy. 

Overcooking the ground meat can lead to toughness, so just lightly brown it before combining with the other ingredients. Bland taste is avoidable by generously seasoning with robust flavors like garlic, paprika, and dill. 

Leaving the unstuffed rolls uncovered during baking exposes the top to dryness, so keep it tightly covered initially. 

Finally, let it rest briefly once out of the oven to allow the juices to reabsorb before serving. Avoiding these simple mistakes ensures you’ll savor the ultimate tender, juicy, robustly seasoned, unstuffed cabbage roll experience.

What are the ingredients to make a unstuffed cabbage rolls?

To make this cabbage rolls, you’re going to need the following ingredients:

• Lean ground beef
• Onion, diced
• Garlic, minced
• Ground black pepper
• Salt
• Small head of green cabbage
• Beef broth
• Olive oil
• Long grain rice, uncooked
• Italian seasoning
• Red pepper flakes
• Tomato sauce
• Tomatoes, diced
• Brown sugar
• Parsley

How to make unstuffed cabbage rolls

Heat and Cook: In a deep skillet or Dutch oven, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add 1 pound of lean ground beef, 1 diced large onion, and 3-4 minced garlic cloves. Cook until the beef is browned and no longer pink, stirring occasionally.

Add Seasonings and Tomatoes: Stir in 1 cup of tomato sauce, 1 cup of diced tomatoes, 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes, 1 tablespoon of brown sugar, ½ teaspoon of salt, and 1 teaspoon of ground black pepper. Mix everything together until well combined.

Incorporate Cabbage, Broth, and Rice: Add 1 small head of green cabbage (cut into 2-inch pieces), 3 ½ cups of beef broth, and 1 cup of rinsed long grain rice. Stir the mixture and bring it to a boil.

Simmer: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for 15 minutes. Stir every 5 minutes to ensure even cooking. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.

Final Cooking: Continue to cook for an additional 10 minutes or until the rice is fully cooked and tender.

Garnish and Serve: Once done, remove from heat and sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top. Serve warm and enjoy your delicious unstuffed cabbage rolls!

Unstuffed cabbage rolls make for excellent leftovers that can be easily stored and reheated for quick and delicious meals throughout the week. With their hearty ingredients and robust flavors, they reheat beautifully and can even taste better the next day as the seasonings have had more time to meld. Here are some storing and preheating tips:

1. To store leftover unstuffed cabbage rolls, allow them to cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container. Refrigerated, they will keep for 3-4 days.
2. For longer storage of up to 3 months, portion the cooled cabbage roll mixture into freezer-safe containers or bags, removing as much air as possible before sealing.
3. When ready to enjoy, simply thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
4. For single portions, the microwave is the quickest reheating option – transfer to a microwave-safe dish, add a small splash of broth or water to prevent dryness, cover loosely, and heat for 2-3 minutes until heated through, stirring halfway.
5. For larger amounts, preheat the oven to 350°F, transfer the cabbage rolls to a baking dish, add a little broth, cover tightly with foil, and bake for 20-30 minutes until hot in the center.
6. Alternatively, reheat gently in a saucepan on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring frequently and adding a bit of broth as needed to prevent sticking or drying out.
7. Serve piping hot with a dollop of sour cream if desired.

Your unstuffed cabbage rolls are ready to serve!

Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe

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