Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Casserole is a great way to enjoy the delicious taste of cabbage rolls without all of the work!
Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Casserole
Sometimes the best things in life really are simple. This Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Casserole is a little bit different and a nice play on traditional Cabbage Rolls. It is easy to prepare and very economical. Plus, there is no need to precook the cabbage! If you would like, you may also top the cabbage with another can of tomato sauce, to make it more like the traditional dish. We like to have this with a veggie, cottage cheese, and some kind of bread on the side.
Recipe for Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls
- lean ground beef
- green bell pepper
- medium onion
- garlic
- diced tomatoes
- tomato sauce
- long-grain rice
- salt
- basil
- oregano
- pepper
- coleslaw mix or small head of cabbage
- shredded Cheddar cheese, optional
How to make Easy Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls:
- Preheat the oven to 350° F. Spray a 13x9x2-in. baking pan with cooking spray and set aside.
- Meanwhile, cook the beef, bell pepper, onion, and garlic in a skillet until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in tomatoes, tomato sauce, rice, and seasonings.
- Spread the beef mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with cabbage and the cheese, if desired. Cover with aluminum foil (spray foil with cooking spray if using cheese or extra tomato sauce).
- Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes (75 minutes) or until the rice is tender.
- Serve hot!
A few tips for Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Casserole:
- Ground turkey can be substituted for the ground beef.
- This casserole is a great make-ahead dish! Prepare and bake the casserole as directed in a freezer-safe or disposable aluminum pan. Allow the casserole to cool completely then cover the pan tightly in aluminum foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating in a preheated 350°F oven for about 30 minutes or until heated through and bubbly.
- If you would like, you may also top the cabbage with another can of tomato sauce, to make it more like the traditional dish.
Other recipes you may enjoy
Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Casserole
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 medium green bell pepper chopped
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 can diced tomatoes, undrained 14.5 oz
- 1 can tomato sauce 8 oz.
- ½ cup uncooked long grain rice
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon basil
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 16 oz. bag coleslaw mix or 1 small head of cabbage, shredded
- 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese, optional 4 oz.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350° F. Spray a 13x9x2-in. baking pan with cooking spray and set aside.
- Meanwhile, cook the beef, bell pepper, onion, and garlic in a skillet until the meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in tomatoes, tomato sauce, rice, and seasonings.
- Spread the beef mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with cabbage and cheese, if desired. Cover with aluminum foil (spray foil with cooking spray if using cheese or extra tomato sauce).
- Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes (75 minutes) or until the rice is tender.
- Serve hot!
Notes
- Ground turkey may be substituted for the ground beef.
Nutrition
Please note that the nutritional information listed on this page is an estimation based on the products I used. Ingredients and nutritional information can vary significantly between brands. Always be sure to read labels. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Likewise, recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them.
Originally published on July 3, 2012. Updated on May 20, 2020.
This looks delicious!! I love how you have used simple ingredients!!
Have a fantastic day:)
Thank you, Tani.
Your recipe looks and sounds delicious… Easy recipes and tasty ones are always welcome when you want to make something simple. I just found your blog and I am your newest follower. I also linked up. I hope you visit my blog and follow along. have a wonderful 4th of July. Linda
Thank you for stopping by and linking up, Linda. Sometimes the simplest things are the best!
Hi Jamie
Your recipe looks good! But if I want to eat it I'll substitute the meat to ground soy beans as I'm a vegetarian
Thanks for another party, and I hope you have a great 4th of July
Thank you, Winnie. I have never use ground soy beans, but I would imagine they would be good as well. Let me know if you try it.
Wow does your recipe look fantastic. Cannot wait to make this one. My family (Tammie) will love it. We linked up a wonderful mini sub recipe today.
Thank you fro stopping by, Tammie!
Thanks so much for the feature and for hosting!! Have a wonderful 4th!
Thank you for stopping by, Sheena. I hope you had a wonderful 4th, too!
Hi Jamie. Thanks so much for having me today. Thanks also for sharing another delicious recipe!
I have linked up my post about my Social Media Link up on the 14th. I hope you will be able to make it!
Best wishes and happy 4th of July!
Natasha in Oz
Thanks for stopping by, Natasha. Looking forward to the 14th.
Interesting recipe. Thank you. I found you via What's Cooking Wednesday where I have linked up a cheese and cracker plate.
Have a nice week.
Thank you for stopping by, Carole. We enjoy cheese and crackers for a light meal in the summertime.
I just made cabbage rolls two days ago and this looks so much easier! Thanks so much for sharing 🙂
Believe me, I'm all about easier! Hope you have a great weekend, Lisa.
thanks for hosting!
Thank you for stopping by, Connie. It's always nice to see you. 🙂
The cabbage roll casserole sounds really good. I'm going to be sure to try it!
Thank you, Patricia. I would love to hear back from you after you make it!
Hi Jamie! Found your recipe at It's A Piece O' Cake link party. I'm going to have to make this – soon! I love cabbage rolls, but hate making them. I think this is my solution! Thank you for sharing.
I hated making the rolls, too! This is so much easier. I hope you enjoy, Stephanie 🙂
I so sad:( I missed your first party. But not to worry I am here for this one. I feel like I am running to play catch up over losing a week and half. I linked up two recipes and grabbed your button for my party page:) Thank you for hosting and Thank you so very much for sharing at Freedom Fridays.
Awww – you have had so much going on so don't feel bad – things way more important than any party! Thank you for sharing this week 🙂
Yummy! Thanks for hosting a yummy party!
Thank you for stopping by! 🙂
Oh what a great idea. We love cabbage rolls and this just looks so much easier and looks so delicious.
Thank you, Alicia! I love that it is so much easier than traditional cabbage rolls!
You know, I don't think I have ever had a cabbage roll. I think I have to try this. Thanks for sharing on Tout It Tuesday. Hope to see you again for tomorrown's party.
This is an easier version – so tasty and economical!
When I get back into my blogging groove (we just got back from vacation and my parents are coming to visit this weekend) I will have to link up with your party! Lots of fun!
This casserole is so much easier than cabbage rolls…I like that! Thank you for linking up.
I would love to have you join us on Tuesday's! This casserole if definitely easier 🙂
Jamie,
This sounds delish! I love that you don't have to roll each leaf and it's a casserole. Thanks for sharing at Creative Thursday 🙂
Amen! My favorite parts too! 🙂
ca n you use instant rice ?
You probably can but I’m not familiar enough with it to guide you. You may need to adjust the recipe slightly to accommodate the use of instant rice.
Real cabbage rolls have no cheese. I do like the idea of this as a casserole as it’s much easier to do. No cheese, though. 😉. A can of some chopped tomatoes with sauce would be a great addition and some paprika. Serve it with sour cream and a slice of bread and you have a good Eastern European meal.