Unstuffed Cabbage | Cookies and Cups

Unstuffed cabbage is a faster option to benefit from the savory taste of conventional cabbage rolls! This deconstructed model is made with juicy floor beef and pork mixed with fire-roasted tomatoes, onions, and seasonings in a flavorful and straightforward one-pot meal.

Why You’ll Love This Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Recipe

Cabbage rolls are a standard European meal, and this deconstructed model is quick changing into one in every of our favourite weeknight dinners! Right here’s why you’ll need this recipe for wealthy and savory unstuffed cabbage on rotation, simply in time for the cooler climate:

• Time-saving. Quick on time through the week? Make hearty unstuffed cabbage in 45 minutes or much less from begin to end. The components are budget-friendly, obtainable just about in all places, and simply customizable.
• Wonderful taste. This recipe is fast to make and filled with scrumptious taste due to juicy floor meat, tangy tomatoes, caramelized onions, and a mouthwatering mixture of herbs and spices. 
• One-pot. Making conventional cabbage rolls casserole-style is the simplest option to get pleasure from all these superior flavors with a fraction of the hassle. Convey all of the components collectively in a single pot on the stovetop as a substitute!
• Nice leftovers. Make a giant batch of unstuffed cabbage and save the leftovers for satisfying meals, all week lengthy. This recipe shops and freezes effectively, and there are such a lot of methods that you could serve it. 

We love turning cheap, straightforward components into scrumptious one-skillet dinners. If you happen to’re in search of one other weeknight one-pot marvel, do this tacky skillet chicken parmesan or this creamy beef pasta!

Elements in Unstuffed Cabbage

You is likely to be pondering, “That appears like quite a lot of components!” However don’t fear. Every part you see right here is simple to seek out in nearly any grocery retailer. Beneath, I embody some fast ingredient notes to get you began. Don’t overlook to scroll to the recipe card on the backside of the submit with the whole components checklist, quantities, and recipe directions. 

• Olive Oil, Onion, and Garlic – Diced onion and garlic sautéd in oil type the fragrant taste base of the soup.
• Floor Meat – I like to make use of a mixture of floor pork sausage and lean floor beef for the utmost taste. You possibly can simply make this recipe with any floor meat you have got available, although. See the part additional on for variation concepts.
• Tomatoes  – Canned tomatoes work nice, and fire-roasted tomatoes convey one other layer of taste. You’ll additionally want a can of tomato paste.
• Apple Cider Vinegar – Purple wine vinegar, white wine vinegar, and even balsamic additionally works.
• Worcestershire Sauce – To offer this unstuffed cabbage a success of umami richness.
• Seasonings – I take advantage of thyme, paprika (candy or smoked), brown sugar, chili powder, salt, pepper, and beef bouillon. I’m keen on the Higher Than Bouillon model.
• Cabbage – You’ll want chopped or shredded inexperienced cabbage. You need to use two small cabbages or one medium to large-sized cabbage, sufficient to fill 10 cups.

What Sort of Cabbage Ought to I Use?

In brief: Any type that you just’d like! Savoy cabbage (additionally known as winter cabbage) and napa cabbage are the primary decisions when making cabbage rolls, they usually’ll additionally work effectively right here. However the great thing about unstuffed cabbage is that you could make this recipe with just about any kind of cabbage yow will discover. White cabbage and inexperienced cabbage are good choices. Even pink cabbage will work, although remember that it’s going to bleed colour into the dish.

The right way to Make Unstuffed Cabbage

Why spend hours prepping and rolling cabbage rolls when packing all that goodness into one pot is this straightforward? Let’s get began!

• Sauté. First, sauté the onions in a big pot with oil. As soon as the onions are softened, add the bottom beef and pork sausage, and cook dinner till completely browned. Lastly, stir within the garlic.
• Mix. Drain any extra grease from the pan earlier than including the tomatoes and tomato paste, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, seasonings, and bouillon. Convey the contents to a boil.

• Add the cabbage. Subsequent, stir within the shredded cabbage after which place the lid on the pot. Decrease the warmth and simmer the cabbage for 25-Half-hour, till tender.
• Serve and revel in! Dish up this unstuffed cabbage heat over fluffy rice along with your favourite sides. See under for concepts.

Recipe Suggestions and Variation Concepts

Listed here are some last-minute suggestions for the most effective unstuffed cabbage, together with some recipe variations that you could attempt:

• Don’t overcook. Except you’re going for mushy cabbage, watch out that you just don’t overcook it. My favourite texture for cabbage is softened however nonetheless a bit crisp. Alternatively, in case your cooked cabbage is on the more durable aspect, it’s an indication that it might must cook dinner for longer.
• Change up the meat. Rather than pork sausage, be at liberty to make this recipe with solely floor beef. You need to use different leaner meat, too, like floor rooster or floor turkey. Spicy Italian sausage would additionally give this dish a pleasant kick.
• Extra veggies. You possibly can positively fill this unstuffed cabbage recipe with any greens your coronary heart needs (or any veggies that you’ve got within the fridge). Strive dicing up zucchini, mushrooms, celery, and carrots, or add in frozen peas, spinach, or kale.
• Add raisins. Rather than brown sugar, add raisins! Golden raisins or Sultanas add a scrumptious candy steadiness to the tangy tomato sauce.
• Totally different seasonings. If you happen to don’t have chili powder, use cayenne pepper and cumin, or you may mess around with totally different spices in response to your desire. Rather than thyme, attempt rosemary, basil, or Italian seasoning.

Serving Solutions

We love unstuffed cabbage served over fluffy white rice (or Instant Pot butter rice) or homemade egg noodles, topped with bitter cream. For a straightforward vegetable aspect dish, attempt tender-crisp air fryer asparagus, steamed or roasted broccoli, a cool cucumber salad, or a flavorful Mediterranean couscous salad. To actually spherical out your meal, serve your unstuffed cabbage with a basket of sour cream cornbread or homemade baguette for mopping up additional tomato broth.

Searching for a straightforward meal prep concept? Make unstuffed cabbage bowls over a mattress of rice or grains. And don’t overlook home made Polish kolaczki for dessert!

Storing and Reheating Unstuffed Cabbage

• Fridge. This recipe makes nice leftovers. Permit your unstuffed cabbage to chill to room temperature, after which retailer it hermetic. It retains within the fridge for as much as 5 days. Get pleasure from tasty meals for the remainder of the week!
• To Reheat. Heat leftovers within the microwave or in a pot on the stovetop till they’re sizzling all through.
• Freezer. Cool the unstuffed cabbage fully, after which switch it to an hermetic container to freeze for as much as 2-3 months. Thaw it within the fridge earlier than reheating.

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