Slow Cooker Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe
A delicious and comforting Slow Cooker Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls recipe that captures the flavors of traditional cabbage rolls without the hassle of stuffing. Ground beef, cabbage, and a rich tomato sauce slow cook together for a hearty, easy-to-make meal perfect for busy days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 to 8 hours
- Total Time: 6 hours 20 minutes to 8 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 1 small head green cabbage, chopped
Tomato Sauce
- 14-ounce can petite diced tomatoes
- 6-ounce can tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 cup water
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: In a skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef just until slightly pink remains. Drain off any excess fat to avoid greasiness in the final dish.
- Cook Onions and Seasonings: Add the diced yellow onion along with dried thyme, dried parsley, red pepper flakes, and kosher salt to the skillet. Cook until the onions soften and become translucent, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Transfer to Slow Cooker: Place the cooked meat and onion mixture into the slow cooker, then add the chopped green cabbage on top.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a separate bowl, combine the petite diced tomatoes, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and water. Stir thoroughly to create a smooth sauce.
- Combine and Cook: Pour the prepared tomato sauce evenly over the mixture in the slow cooker. Gently stir the ingredients together to distribute the sauce, then cover the slow cooker with its lid.
- Slow Cook: Set the slow cooker to low and cook for 6-8 hours, allowing the flavors to deepen and the cabbage to become tender.
Notes
- For a leaner version, substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken.
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to desired spice level or omit if you prefer mild flavors.
- Be sure not to overcook to the point where cabbage becomes mushy; check tenderness after 6 hours.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 4 days and freeze beautifully for up to 3 months.
Keywords: slow cooker cabbage rolls, unstuffed cabbage rolls, easy slow cooker recipes, ground beef cabbage recipe, comfort food, hearty dinner
