Slow Cooker Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe
This Slow Cooker Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls recipe offers all the comforting flavors of traditional cabbage rolls without the hassle of rolling. Ground beef, cabbage, and a rich tomato-based sauce slow cook together for a hearty, delicious meal that’s perfect for busy days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 to 8 hours
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 1 small head green cabbage, chopped
- 14-ounce can petite diced tomatoes
- 6-ounce can tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and cook the ground beef until it is just slightly pink. Drain any excess fat to avoid greasiness in the final dish.
- Sauté Onions and Add Seasonings: Add the diced yellow onion along with dried thyme, dried parsley, red pepper flakes, and kosher salt to the beef in the skillet. Cook until the onions become soft and fragrant.
- Transfer to Slow Cooker: Move the cooked meat and onion mixture into the slow cooker. Add the chopped green cabbage evenly on top.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a separate mixing bowl, combine the petite diced tomatoes, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and water. Stir thoroughly until well blended.
- Combine and Cook: Pour the tomato sauce mixture over the cabbage and beef in the slow cooker. Gently mix to incorporate the sauce without breaking up the cabbage too much.
- Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 6 to 8 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the cabbage to become tender.
Notes
- For a leaner option, substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken.
- You can add more vegetables like carrots or bell peppers for extra flavor and nutrition.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to your preferred heat level or omit for a milder dish.
- If you don’t have a slow cooker, this can be adapted to cook in a covered pot on low heat on the stovetop for about 2 hours.
- Serve this dish with a side of mashed potatoes or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
Keywords: slow cooker cabbage rolls, unstuffed cabbage rolls, easy slow cooker recipes, ground beef cabbage recipe, comfort food
