Cabbage Roll Skillet Recipe
Ever get a craving for cabbage rolls? You know, the cozy, meaty, saucy kind that grandma made. Then you remember the whole process—boiling leaves, rolling, baking—and you just order a pizza instead.
I’ve been there. Cabbage rolls are amazing, but they can be a real project.
That’s why this Cabbage Roll Skillet recipe is a game-changer. You get all that classic flavor without all the work. It’s a one-pan meal that’s perfect for a busy weeknight.
Cabbage Roll Skillet: The Easy Way
This dish is sometimes called “lazy cabbage rolls” or “unstuffed cabbage rolls.” Whatever you call it, it’s delicious.
Everything cooks together in one big skillet. The cabbage gets tender, the meat is savory, and the rice soaks up all that yummy tomato sauce.
It’s the kind of comfort food that makes everyone at the table happy.
What You’ll Need
Here’s the simple list of ingredients. Nothing fancy, just good stuff.
- 1 pound ground beef (or turkey, or pork)
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small head of green cabbage, chopped
- 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 cup cooked white rice
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar (optional, to cut the acid)
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Tools For The Job
You don’t need a bunch of special equipment. Your basic kitchen gear will do just fine.
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Large Skillet | For cooking everything |
| Knife | To chop veggies |
| Cutting Board | Prep surface |
| Wooden Spoon | For stirring |
How to Make Cabbage Roll Skillet
This comes together fast. Just follow these simple steps.
Step 1: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until it starts to soften, about 3-4 minutes.
Step 2: Add the ground beef and garlic to the skillet. Cook until the meat is browned, breaking it up with your spoon as it cooks. Drain off any extra fat.
Step 3: Stir in the chopped cabbage, salt, and pepper. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, until the cabbage starts to wilt and get a little tender.
Step 4: Add the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, cooked rice, brown sugar, and paprika. Stir everything together until it’s well combined.
Step 5: Bring the mixture to a simmer. Then, reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it cook for 15-20 minutes. This gives the cabbage time to get fully tender and for all the flavors to mix.
Step 6: Uncover and give it a final stir. Taste it and add more salt or pepper if you think it needs it. Serve it hot!
Pro Tips from My Kitchen
I’ve made this dish more times than I can count. Here are a few little tricks I’ve picked up.
- Use a Big Skillet: Don’t try to cram this into a small pan. Cabbage looks like a lot before it cooks down. A large skillet gives everything room to cook evenly.
- Don’t Shred the Cabbage: Chop the cabbage into bite-sized pieces, about 1-inch squares. If you shred it too fine, it will turn to mush. A little texture is a good thing here.
- Taste as You Go: Tomato sauces can taste different from brand to brand. After it simmers, give it a taste. Is it too acidic? A tiny bit of sugar can fix that. Does it need more salt? Now is the time to add it.
Swapping Things Out
This recipe is very forgiving. You can easily change things based on what you have or what you like.
| Ingredient | Substitution Idea |
|---|---|
| Ground Beef | Ground turkey, chicken |
| White Rice | Brown rice, quinoa |
| Green Cabbage | Savoy, napa cabbage |
| Tomato Sauce | Add Italian herbs |
Here are a few more ideas:
- For a Low-Carb Version: Use cauliflower rice instead of white rice. Just add it in during the last 5 minutes of simmering.
- Make it Vegetarian: Swap the ground beef for a can of lentils (drained) or your favorite plant-based crumbles.
- Add More Veggies: Shredded carrots or finely chopped bell peppers are a great addition. Add them with the onion.
Meal Prep and Efficiency
Want to make dinner even faster? Here are some ideas.
| Prep Tip | How To Do It |
|---|---|
| Chop Ahead | Chop onion and cabbage |
| Cook Rice | Make a big batch early |
| Brown Meat | Cook meat and onions |
You can chop the onion and cabbage a day or two ahead and keep them in the fridge.
If you have leftover rice from another meal, this is the perfect way to use it up.
You can also cook the ground beef and onion mixture ahead of time. When you’re ready to eat, just add the other ingredients and simmer.
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers are one of my favorite parts of this meal. It tastes even better the next day.
Store any extra in an airtight container in the fridge. It will stay good for up to 4 days.
You can reheat it in the microwave or in a small pan on the stove. If it seems a little dry, add a splash of water or tomato sauce when you reheat it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions I get about this recipe.
Q1. Can I freeze this Cabbage Roll Skillet?
Ans: Yes, it freezes really well. Let it cool completely, then put it in a freezer-safe container. It will keep for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Q2. My dish seems a little watery. What happened?
Ans: Cabbage releases a lot of water as it cooks. If it’s too soupy for your liking, just take the lid off and let it simmer for an extra 5-10 minutes. This will help the extra liquid evaporate.
Q3. Can I use a different kind of ground meat?
Ans: Absolutely. Ground turkey, chicken, or even pork works great. You could also use a mix, like half beef and half pork, for extra flavor.
Q4. Do I have to use cooked rice?
Ans: I recommend using cooked rice. If you use uncooked rice, you will need to add extra liquid (like beef broth) and increase the simmer time a lot to make sure the rice cooks through. Using cooked rice keeps it simple and fast.
Wrapping Up
See? You can have that amazing cabbage roll flavor any night of the week. No rolling required.
This recipe is meant to be a starting point. Don’t be afraid to play with it. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for some heat or a splash of Worcestershire sauce for more depth. Make it your own.
Give it a try and let me know how it turns out. Leave a comment below with any questions or your own favorite twists
