Description
A comforting and hearty Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls recipe that combines seasoned ground beef, tender cabbage, and a flavorful tomato sauce served over rice for an easy one-pot meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, chopped (1 cup)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (1 Tbsp)
- 1 1/4 lbs lean ground beef
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp thyme
- 1/2 tsp marjoram
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1/2 medium head cabbage, chopped (5 cups)
- 2 Tbsp minced fresh parsley
- 1 1/4 cups brown rice or white rice, cooked according to package instructions
Instructions
- Heat Oil: Heat olive oil in a deep 12-inch non-stick skillet or pot over medium-high heat to prepare for sautéing the vegetables and browning the beef.
- Sauté Onions and Garlic: Add chopped onion and sauté for 2 minutes, then add minced garlic and sauté for an additional 10 seconds. Push the mixture to one side of the pan to make space for the beef.
- Brown Ground Beef: Add the ground beef in large crumbles to the pan and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Let the beef brown undisturbed on the bottom for about 3 minutes.
- Cook Beef Thoroughly: Continue cooking and breaking up the beef by tossing occasionally until fully cooked, about 4 more minutes.
- Drain Fat and Add Sauce Ingredients: Drain excess fat from the pan. Return to heat and add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, chicken broth, paprika, thyme, marjoram, brown sugar, and red wine vinegar. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Add and Cook Cabbage: Toss in the chopped cabbage and season with salt and pepper to taste. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer, tossing occasionally, until the cabbage is tender, approximately 15 minutes.
- Serve: Serve the unstuffed cabbage rolls warm over cooked rice and garnish with minced fresh parsley. Optionally, add cayenne pepper for a spicy kick.
- Rice Preparation Tip: To keep this meal quick, use leftover rice or quick-cooking minute rice, especially for brown rice.
Notes
- Using minute rice or leftover rice significantly reduces meal prep time.
- Adjust the seasoning with cayenne pepper if you prefer a spicy version.
- Drain excess fat from the beef to keep the dish lighter.
- Marjoram and thyme add a subtle herby flavor; feel free to adjust amounts based on preference.
- This recipe makes a great make-ahead dish that can be reheated for quick dinners.
