Unstuffed Cabbage Roll

This is an easy casserole made with ground beef, cabbage, garlic, and tomatoes. My kids don't even like cabbage, but they love this dish! Serve with rice for a comforting weeknight dinner. Also, the longer it stands the better it tastes!

Print Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 35

Total Time 50

Course lunch/dinner

Cuisine French

Servings 6 people

Calories 2743.4 kcal

Equipment

1 Dutch Oven or Large Skillet Heavy-bottomed for even browning and simmering
1 Chef's knife For chopping vegetables
1 Cutting Board For safe and efficient prep
1 Wooden Spoon or Spatula For browning meat and stirring
1 Measuring Spoons For precise seasoning

Ingredients

Main

2 pounds ground beef
1 large onion chopped
1 small head cabbage chopped
2 14.5 ounce cans diced tomatoes
1 8 ounce can tomato sauce
½ cup water
2 cloves garlic minced
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

Gather all ingredients. Photographer: Kyle Carpenter / Food Styling: Julian Hensarling / Prop Styling: Prissy
Heat a Dutch oven or large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir beef and onion in the hot Dutch oven until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes; drain and discard grease. Photographer: Kyle Carpenter / Food Styling: Julian Hensarling / Prop Styling: Prissy
Add cabbage, tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, garlic, salt, and pepper and bring to a boil. Cover Dutch oven, reduce heat, and simmer until cabbage is tender, about 30 minutes. Photographer: Kyle Carpenter / Food Styling: Julian Hensarling / Prop Styling: Prissy
Serve hot and enjoy! Photographer: Kyle Carpenter / Food Styling: Julian Hensarling / Prop Styling: Prissy

Notes

To deepen the flavor profile, consider deglazing the pot with a splash of red wine or beef broth after browning the beef and onions. A pinch of smoked paprika or a bay leaf added during simmering will introduce a complex earthiness. For optimal texture, aim for tender-crisp cabbage; adjust the simmer time as needed to prevent it from becoming overly soft. Balancing the acidity of the tomatoes with a touch of brown sugar or a dash of apple cider vinegar can brighten the overall taste. As the recipe notes, this dish truly benefits from resting, or even a day in the refrigerator, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. Ensure all excess fat is thoroughly drained from the beef for a cleaner, richer final product.