Description
A comforting and hearty twist on traditional stuffed cabbage rolls, this unstuffed cabbage rolls recipe combines sautéed ground beef, seasoned tomatoes, and brown rice layered with tender cabbage leaves and baked to perfection. It’s a delicious, easy-to-make casserole that captures all the flavors of classic cabbage rolls without the fuss of stuffing each leaf.
Ingredients
Scale
Cabbage
- 1 medium head Green Cabbage (about 2 lbs)
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb lean Ground Beef
- 1 medium Onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
Other Ingredients
- 1 cup Cooked Brown Rice
- 1 can (14.5 oz) Diced Tomatoes (seasoned)
- 1/4 cup Ketchup
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
- Salt and Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Cabbage: Remove the core from the cabbage and blanch it in boiling salted water for about 5 minutes until slightly tender. Drain and set aside to cool.
- Sauté Aromatics and Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, sauté chopped onions until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and ground beef, cooking until the beef is browned and fully cooked, approximately 8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine Filling Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked brown rice, the diced tomatoes with their juice, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, and the cooked ground beef mixture. Stir well until everything is evenly mixed.
- Assemble the Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a baking dish, layer several cabbage leaves on the bottom. Spoon half of the beef and rice mixture over the cabbage layer. Add another layer of cabbage leaves, then transfer the remaining beef and rice mixture on top, and cover with more cabbage leaves.
- Add Topping and Bake: Pour any remaining diced tomatoes evenly over the top of the layered dish. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for about 35 minutes, or until heated through and cabbage leaves are tender.
Notes
- Blanching the cabbage softens the leaves, making them easier to layer and eat.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- Using seasoned diced tomatoes adds extra flavor, but you can also use plain diced tomatoes and season to taste.
- This dish can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated before baking.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
