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Delicious Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Skillet with ground beef, cabbage, rice, and tomatoes

Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Skillet

A quick and easy one-pan meal that captures the comforting flavors of cabbage rolls without the fuss of rolling and baking. Perfect for busy weeknight dinners.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Comfort Food
Calories: 400

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil For frying
  • 1 pound ground beef (or turkey) Can substitute with any ground meat
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small head green cabbage, chopped into bite-size pieces Chop smaller for quicker cooking
  • 1 14-15 ounce can diced tomatoes
  • 1 8 ounce can tomato sauce
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste (optional) Makes it richer
  • 1-1.5 cups beef broth (or water plus a bouillon cube)
  • 3/4 cup uncooked white rice Long grain works best
  • 1 teaspoon salt Plus more to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • a pinch of sugar (optional) If tomatoes taste sharp
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Instructions
 

Cooking Steps
  1. Heat the olive oil in a skillet or deep pan over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until mostly browned, breaking it up as you go.
  2. Stir in the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until it softens. Add minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds.
  3. Add the chopped cabbage in batches, stirring as it wilts down for about 3-5 minutes.
  4. Pour in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and optional tomato paste. Add salt, pepper, paprika, and oregano; stir to coat everything.
  5. Add the beef broth and uncooked rice, then bring to a gentle simmer.
  6. Lower the heat, cover, and let it simmer for 18-22 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  7. Taste and adjust salt. If too tangy, add a pinch of sugar. Let sit uncovered for a couple of minutes if you want it thicker.
  8. Serve topped with sour cream and a sprinkle of chopped parsley if desired.
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Notes

Use a deep skillet for better cooking. Letting the dish rest helps it thicken. For a low-carb option, substitute rice with cauliflower rice in the last 5 minutes.