Slow Cooker Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls: Easy Weeknight Meal (Print Version)

Enjoy tender slow cooker unstuffed cabbage rolls, a hearty and easy weeknight dinner. All the classic flavors without the fuss of rolling. Perfect for busy evenings.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 300 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 320 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: Eastern European

# Ingredients:

→ Hearty Core

01 - 1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef (90/10)
02 - 1 large head green cabbage (about 2 1/2 lbs), cored and chopped into 1-inch pieces
03 - 1/2 cup uncooked white rice, rinsed

→ Rich Tomato Base

04 - 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
05 - 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
06 - 1 cup beef broth
07 - 2 tbsp light brown sugar, packed
08 - 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

→ Aromatic Boosters & Seasonings

09 - 1 large yellow onion, chopped
10 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
11 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
12 - 1 tsp dried dill
13 - 1 bay leaf
14 - 1 tsp salt, or to taste
15 - 1/2 tsp black pepper, or to taste

# Instructions:

01 - Start by browning 1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Drain excess fat. Add 1 large yellow onion, chopped, and 4 cloves garlic, minced, cooking until softened, about 5-7 minutes. This forms the flavorful base for your Slow Cooker Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls: Easy Weeknight Dinner.
02 - Transfer the browned beef, onion, and garlic to a large bowl. Stir in 1/2 cup uncooked white rice, rinsed, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp dried dill, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Mix well to combine all ingredients evenly.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes, 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce, 1 cup beef broth, 2 tbsp light brown sugar, packed, and 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar. This creates the rich, tangy sauce for your dish.
04 - Place half of the 1 large head green cabbage, cored and chopped into 1-inch pieces, at the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. Spread the beef and rice mixture evenly over the cabbage layer. Top with the remaining chopped cabbage for your Slow Cooker Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls: Easy Weeknight Dinner.
05 - Pour the prepared tomato base evenly over the layers in the slow cooker. Tuck in 1 bay leaf. Cover and cook on LOW for 5-6 hours (300-360 minutes) or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the cabbage is tender and the rice is cooked through.
06 - Once cooked, remove the bay leaf. Stir gently to combine the flavors. Ladle generous portions of your Slow Cooker Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls: Easy Weeknight Dinner into bowls. Garnish with fresh dill or parsley if desired, and serve warm.

# Notes:

01 - For a richer flavor, you can use a combination of ground beef and ground pork.
02 - Serve these unstuffed cabbage rolls with a dollop of sour cream or a sprinkle of fresh parsley for added creaminess and freshness.
03 - Leftovers store wonderfully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
04 - If you prefer a slightly sweeter dish, you can add an additional teaspoon of brown sugar to the tomato base.

# Tools You'll Need:

01 - 6-quart slow cooker
02 - large skillet
03 - cutting board
04 - chef's knife
05 - measuring cups and spoons

# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):

Calories: 473 kcal
Total Fat: 18 g
Total Carbohydrate: 42 g
Protein: 36 g

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