These unstuffed cabbage rolls are my lazy man version of traditional Ukrainian cabbage rolls. Everything is cooked in one pot and is healthier than the authentic version.
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Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls
These Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls are a hearty, comforting twist on traditional cabbage rolls-no rolling required!
Inspired by the classic Ukrainian dish "golubtsi," this simplified version, known as "lenivie golubtsi," is packed with tender cabbage, savory ground beef, tomatoes, onion, and garlic.
It's everything you love about cabbage rolls but made easier (I like to call it a lazy cabbage rolls version) for busy weeknights.
Just simmer all the ingredients together for a flavorful, satisfying meal your family will love.
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Ingredients
- Cabbage - any cabbage will work here, savoy cabbage (sweetest leaves), napa cabbage, and red cabbage as well. But the best cabbage in my opinion for unstuffed or stuffed cabbage rolls is young green cabbage. This cabbage is also great for making a rich and fulfilling unstuffed cabbage roll soup.
- Ground beef - use lean ground meat whenever possible so you don't end up with lots of meat fat in the pot. For a leaner version, lean ground turkey is a perfect choice just like in this Cabbage Roll Soup.
- Maple syrup - We also love using brown or coconut sugar when making these unstuffed cabbage rolls.
- Garlic and onion - without these aromatics, these unstuffed cabbage rolls would not be what they are called. In Ukrainian cuisine, garlic, onion, and cabbage are the main ingredients in ALL the dishes.
- To increase your veggie intake, we also like to add some grated carrots once in a while to have a variety of cabbage roll flavors.
- Tomato sauce and crushed tomatoes - different brands vary in taste and texture. I recommend using trusted Italian brands whenever possible. Simply because of the rich flavor.
📋 You can find the full ingredient list in the Recipe Card below the article.
How To Make Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls
- Prep. Heat up a large pot or dutch oven with some cooking oil (I like to use avocado oil spray) and one hot add in the onions.
- Saute onions until softened. Add the ground beef and brown the meat crumbling it into small pieces until thoroughly cooked.
- Add seasonings: garlic, paprika, thyme, oregano, salt and pepper, and bay leaves and stir.
- Add the rest. Add crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and maple syrup. Stir to combine and bring to a boil.
- Stir in the cabbage, and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer with a closed lid for 15-20 minutes. Cabbage should be soft, and tender but still a little crispy.
- Stir in the cooked brown fluffy rice and stir to combine, and let heat through simmering for 3 minutes. You can also use regular white rice for a quicker recipe, although brown rice is slightly healthier. In terms of flavor, there's no big difference.
- Remove from the heat. Discard the bay leaves. Serve with freshly chopped parsley and sour cream. Don't overcook the cabbage. Although many versions recommend differently, I still stand strong on the belief that cabbage should be tender yet still crisp by the end of cooking. I don't like my cabbage being mushy.
- We like to serve it with plenty of sour creams, fresh dill or parsley, and black ground pepper.
You can also make it with turkey and turn it into a cabbage roll soup.
🥢 Make Next: Asian Cabbage Stir Fry
Tips
- Lean meat - opt for a low-fat and leaner version as it will cook better and you won't end up with lots of extra fat and liquid in the pot.
- Let it simmer enough for the flavors to blend nicely and cabbage soaks up all the sauce mixture.
- Don't skip the sweetener here because whenever you use a tomato product, for the best flavor I recommend adding any kind of sweetener to offset the acidity that comes from tomatoes. You'll not feel the flavor of sweetener but it will balance the dish instead.
- Note on cheese. While traditionally not served with cheese, there's no reason you can't add it for a delicious, melty topping that elevates the dish and is kid-approved. Sprinkle grated cheddar or mozzarella on top during the last 5 minutes of cooking for extra meltiness, or serve in individual bowls.
Freezing And Storing Instructions
- Store unstuffed cabbage rolls leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Allow them to cool first.
- To freeze, the same steps and for 2-3 months.
- To reheat, thaw first if frozen and reheat in a pot over the stovetop. You may need to add some extra water or stock/broth to thin it out. I don't recommend reheating this in the microwave as the cabbage will or may become too soggy.
More Make-Ahead Ground Beef Dinners
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Recipe Card
One Pot Cabbage Rolls Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- Heat a large pot or dutch oven with some cooking oil (i like to use avocado oil spray) and one hot add in the onions. Cook until onions have softened.
- Add the ground beef and brown the meat crumbling it into small pieces until thoroughly cooked.
- Add garlic, paprika, thyme, oregano, salt and pepper, and bay leaves and stir.
- Add crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and maple syrup. Stir to combine and bring to a boil.
- Stir in the cabbage, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 15-20 minutes. Cabbage should be soft, and tender but still a little crispy.
- Stir in the cooked brown rice, stir to combine, and let heat through simmering for 3 minutes.
- Remove from the heat. Discard the bay leaves.
- Serve with freshly chopped parsley and sour cream.
Nutrition
Video
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Have leftover cabbage? Make this Savory Cabbage Pie for breakfast.
Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on the products used.
Full Nutrition Disclaimer can be found here.
FAQs
The unstuffed cabbage rolls are already a meal itself. Some side portion of healthy salad, crusty bread, or a portion of steamed potatoes is our go-to serving options.
Cabbage is a healthy source of fiber, is low fat and with plenty of nutrients for your skin. It's rich in antioxidants (including vitamin C and beta-carotene).
Favorite Cabbage Recipes
Love more cabbage recipes? Check out this extensive roundup collection of the best cabbage recipes or one of these easy recipes below
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Connie Perry
I made this tonight. I used bacon grease for sauteeing the onions, and substituted breakfast turkey sausage for the "hamburger." Everything else was the same. I did add a little more salt to "our" taste, but this recipe is amazing. I will for sure make it again and again..
Sally
I tried this recipe because I love cabbage rolls and was intrigued by the the simplified, deconstructed approach. So while this dish is certainly not bad tasting, it was not the "stuffed cabbage" taste I had in mind, which I believe is either Hungarian or Polish in origin. I am not familiar with how Ukrainians flavor theirs, so possibly that's the difference here. I found the vinegar and smoked paprika flavors off-putting, maybe also the Worcestershire sauce. The amount of tomato product combined with the vinegar made the resulting taste too tart for my lenivie golubtsi experience, and this is even after I omitted 3/4 cup of the tomato sauce and used an extra half pound of ground beef in the recipe. I'll likely try making this again but with alterations as noted. Thanks for the recipe, definitely agree with the concept.
Julia | The Yummy Bowl
thank you Sally for sharing!
Susan Taylor
Just made this recipe…. DELICIOUS!!! Used brown sugar. This recipe is easier faster and better than another one I had.
Julia | The Yummy Bowl
thank you Susan!
Liette
Julia! Will definitively make this but will use dark ground turkey. I saw that cauliflower rice was used instead of brown rice. What are your comments on that and if ok, would the mount of rice would be the same for cauliflower rice? Tks can’t wait to try this this weekend.
Julia | The Yummy Bowl
hi Liette, unlike grains cauliflower rice doesn't soak up moisture or liquid in the same way. So you'd need to add enough to make sure that cauliflower rice is fully coated in the sauce. I haven't personally used it in this recipe, but some readers have reported great success with this popular grain substitute. If you add it, please let us know how and how much worked for you.
Tiha
Do you mean actual tomato sauce or a tomato passta just asking as from Australia.
Julia | The Yummy Bowl
Tiha, you can use both. Tomato sauce - the one I used was simple and cheap from my local grocery store. If you use passata puree (AUS Tomato passata), it should add even more flavor. Tomato sauce is a little more runny which works in this recipe well. Thank you!
Laura
Just made this, substituted veggie crumbles for meat and riced cauliflower for the rice. Also added an extra can of diced tomatoes. Great flavors.
Julia | The Yummy Bowl
oh yum!Thanks for the comment Laura! This is one of my favorite childhood recipes in our family!
D
Just made this for my family. Had to sub apple cider vinegar and Jasmine rice but it was hearty and delicious!
Julia | The Yummy Bowl
hi Dina! Thankas for the comments, what did you use instead?
Mary
Delicious meal! Thanks for sharing!
Julia | The Yummy Bowl
thank you!
Gwen
Sounds like a great recipe! Why not put in uncooked rice and let it cook with other ingredients?
Julia | The Yummy Bowl
it could work, but it would be a different recipe and liquid ingredients will need to be changed.
Tiha
When you say tomato sauce do you mean can of crushed Tomato's? From Australia.
Julia | The Yummy Bowl
It’s tomato puree in AUS if i’m not mistaken or you can use tomato passata in AUS.
nancy brown
I have been making this for a long time not same recipe. It happen by mistake couldn't get rolls to stay together so chopped it up .Never made rolls again. So easy to make.
Julia | The Yummy Bowl
thank you Nancy, so much easier right!
Candy
My mom and i have the same story as you! And we have been making it this way ever since.
Julia | The Yummy Bowl
thank you Candy! I love to hear this!
Brian fullarton
Tried for my first attempt and not looking back. Swapped out ground venison for beef, and used leftover cabbage from previous meal, chopped and frozen already. Loved how easy a recipe this is, and freedom to "wing it ."
Julia | The Yummy Bowl
yes! I am happy you loved it!
Margarita
Just made this.I used ground turkey.It is very good and the kids love it too.Very easy to make.