Slow Cooker Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls are an easy, hearty and healthy weeknight meal! This fix it and forget it dinner is a quicker version than the typical Stuffed Cabbage Rolls with all the flavors you love!
Who else looooves cabbage? I love cabbage! I'm not sure why but the flavor it brings to a meal is a unique and I love adding it to any recipe I can. This delicious Slow Cooker UnStuffed Cabbage Roll recipe has a tomato base with lots of tasty veggies and spices giving it a deep and rich flavor.
As I said before, I love cabbage and I tried several recipes before I made my own. Each time I made the other recipes I ended up with a runny, flavorless meat concoction with chewy rice. Every recipe called for too much liquid especially considering how much liquid the cabbage releases. So if you have tried this before and not liked it give it another try. I use tomato paste instead of soup so that it in a thick more meaty dish.
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Easy Weeknight Meal
Want cabbage rolls but don't have time to roll and make each one?Then this meal is perfect for you! This meal is easy, tasty and quick to prep. Plus, since I make the rice separately you can let it cook as long as you need. I always love meals where I walk in the door and there is nothing I need to do but serve dinner. Plus, the flavors in this dish are great for the whole family so everyone can eat together. Another easy weeknight meal with ground beef is this Slow Cooker Lasagna!
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One of my favorite things about this recipe it that it includes the veggies so I have one less thing to prepare when I get home. Also, whenever I make meals that include rice I always use my rice maker. This really makes dinner a breeze because I don't have to anything. We literally walk in the door and make our plates. I use the Zojirushi Rice Maker which is amazing. It has a timer and setting for brown or white rice which is helpful.
Slow Cooker Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Soup
It's so easy to make this into soup! All you have to do is add 2 cups of chicken broth to the recipe. Once it is finished cooking add two cups of cooked rice in and stir. So easy and you can enjoy a warm and comforting soup for dinner.
Gluten Free Slow Cooker Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls
I make all my recipes gluten-free since my husband has celiac disease, which means he is allergic to gluten. This recipe naturally is gluten free.
Keto Friendly Version- Serve this over cauliflower rice and you are all set!
How to Make Slow Cooker Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls
Brown meat in pan and drain fat. Add half to the bottom of the Slow Cooker.
Combine thyme, red pepper flakes, sugar, salt and pepper and stir. Sprinkle half over the top of the meat.
Add ½ the cabbage, bell peppers, onions and garlic.
Combine tomato paste and diced tomatoes and stir to combine. Pour half on top of veggies.
Repeat these layers.
Take your tomato paste can and fill it with water ( ¾ cup water). Pour this liquid on top of everything.
Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours. I try to stir once half way through if I'm home.
Serve over rice or cauliflower rice.
Slow Cooker Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 cup onion chopped
- 1 orange bell pepper chopped
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon thyme
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- 1 head cabbage (6-8 cups) coarsely chopped
- 15 oz diced tomatoes undrained
- 6 oz tomato paste
- ¾ cup water
Instructions
- Brown meat in pan and drain fat. Add half to the bottom of the Slow Cooker.
- Combine thyme, red pepper flakes, sugar, salt, and pepper in a small bowl and stir. Sprinkle half of the seasoning over the top of the meat.
- Add half the cabbage, bell peppers, onions, and garlic.
- Combine tomato paste and diced tomatoes and stir to combine. Pour half on top of veggies.
- Repeat these layers one more time.
- Take your tomato paste can and fill it with water, ¾ cup water. Pour this liquid on top of everything.
- Cover and cook on low for about 8 hours or on high for 4 hours.
- Serve over rice or cauliflower rice.
Wendy says
What size is your slow cooker?
Allison Treadwell says
I used a 6 qt for this recipe!
Chris says
Cabbages are many sizes. About how many cups ,please.
Allison Treadwell says
HI Chris! Good point 🙂 I will update the recipe. I would say 6-8 cups depending on how big your crockpot it. Enjoy!