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Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe – Easy Slow Cooker Dinner for Cozy Nights

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This easy slow cooker unstuffed cabbage rolls recipe delivers all the comforting flavors of classic cabbage rolls without the fuss. Tender cabbage, savory ground beef, and rice simmer in a tangy tomato sauce for a hearty, family-friendly meal perfect for cozy nights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 medium head green cabbage, chopped (about 2 lbs)
  • 1 pound ground beef (85% lean preferred)
  • 1 cup uncooked white rice (long grain or jasmine)
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes (fire-roasted optional)
  • 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (or regular paprika)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella, optional for topping)

Instructions

  1. Chop the cabbage into bite-sized pieces (about 1-inch squares). Dice the onion and mince the garlic. If adding extra veggies, chop them now.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, uncooked rice, diced onion, and minced garlic. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Mix until just combined.
  3. Spread half the chopped cabbage in the bottom of the slow cooker. Add half the meat-rice mixture over the cabbage. Repeat with remaining cabbage and meat mixture.
  4. In a bowl, whisk together crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, paprika, oregano, thyme, remaining salt, and pepper. Pour sauce evenly over the layered cabbage and meat.
  5. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 7-8 hours. Check halfway through and gently stir if the top looks dry.
  6. Taste for seasoning. Add more salt or pepper if needed. If desired, sprinkle shredded cheese over top and let melt for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
  7. If sauce is too thin, remove lid and cook on high for another 10-15 minutes. If rice is undercooked, stir, add a splash of broth, and cook on high for another 20-30 minutes.

Notes

For extra flavor, brown the ground beef before mixing. Use long grain white rice for best texture; brown rice requires 30 minutes more cook time. Add extra veggies like carrots or bell peppers for more nutrition. For a low-carb version, substitute riced cauliflower for rice and add it in the last hour. This recipe freezes well and tastes even better the next day.

Nutrition

Keywords: unstuffed cabbage rolls, slow cooker, crockpot, easy dinner, comfort food, cabbage, ground beef, rice, tomato sauce, family meal, gluten-free

Find it online: https://blairrecipes.com/unstuffed-cabbage-rolls-recipe-easy-slow-cooker-dinner-for-cozy-nights/