One Pot Cabbage Roll Delight: A Cozy Family Recipe Magic

Cabbage roll magic enhances humble ingredients into a comfort food masterpiece that resonates with hearty home cooking traditions.

Warm, fragrant spices weave through tender leaves, creating a symphony of flavors that dance on your palate.

Family recipes often guard these delectable bundles like treasured secrets passed through generations.

Wrapped parcels of savory goodness represent more than just a meal—they embody cultural connections and culinary heritage.

Hearty ingredients nestle together, promising a satisfying dining experience that feels both nostalgic and exciting.

Each bite tells a story of slow-cooked love and carefully balanced seasonings that elevate simple components.

Comfort meets convenience in this one-pot wonder that simplifies preparation without compromising depth of flavor.

One Pot Cabbage Roll: A Comforting Dish

• Speedy Comfort Meal: Whip up a hearty one-pot wonder that transforms traditional cabbage rolls into a quick, satisfying dinner without the complicated wrapping process.
• Nutritious Flavor Explosion: Packed with lean ground beef, cabbage, and aromatic seasonings, this dish delivers a protein-rich meal that's both healthy and incredibly delicious.
• Minimal Cleanup Magic: By cooking everything in a single skillet, you'll enjoy a restaurant-worthy meal without facing a mountain of dirty dishes afterward, making weeknight cooking a breeze.

Ingredients for One Pot Cabbage Roll

• Lean Ground Beef: Rich and hearty protein that forms the foundation of the dish, best chosen with low fat content for a healthier meal.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the natural flavor of the ground beef.

• Garlic (Minced), Garlic Powder: Adds depth and robust flavor to the entire dish, fresh garlic provides more intense taste.
• Italian Seasoning: Blend of herbs that brings Mediterranean-style complexity to the one-pot meal.

• Beef Broth: Creates a rich cooking liquid that adds moisture and deepens overall flavor profile.
• Diced Tomatoes: Provides acidity, moisture, and a slight tanginess to the dish.
• Rice: Hearty grain that absorbs flavors and adds substantial texture to the one-pot meal.
• Cabbage: Tender vegetable that adds nutrition and mild sweetness, becomes soft and delicious when cooked.

• Parmesan Cheese (Grated): Adds a salty, nutty finish to the dish for extra flavor complexity.
• Olive Oil: Used for initial cooking and preventing ingredients from sticking to the pan.

How to Cook One Pot Cabbage Roll

Step 1: Prepare the Savory Base

• Lean ground beef
• Minced garlic
• Italian seasoning
• Garlic powder

Cook for 5-10 minutes, breaking up the beef until fully browned.

Step 2: Create a Flavorful Liquid Foundation

• Diced tomatoes
• Beef broth
• Uncooked rice
• Remaining Italian seasoning
• Remaining garlic powder
• Salt
• Pepper

Stir everything together until well combined and bring to a gentle boil.

Step 3: Incorporate Cabbage Goodness

Gently mix in chopped cabbage, ensuring it’s evenly distributed throughout the beef mixture.

Step 4: Simmer to Perfection

Reduce heat to medium-low, cover the skillet, and let it cook for 20 minutes. The goal is tender rice and wilted cabbage.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Transfer to serving dishes. Optional: Sprinkle grated parmesan on top for an extra burst of flavor.

Pro Tip: This one-pot wonder is perfect for a quick and satisfying meal that minimizes cleanup!

Top Tips for One Pot Cabbage Roll

• Chop Cabbage Uniformly: Cut cabbage into consistent, bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and balanced texture throughout the dish.
• Brown Meat Perfectly: Sauté ground beef until it develops a rich, golden-brown color for maximum flavor development and appetizing appearance.
• Season Gradually: Layer seasonings in stages to build depth of flavor, allowing each ingredient to release its distinct taste profile.
• Control Liquid Ratio: Monitor broth and tomato liquid to prevent soggy rice, adding more if needed for ideal moisture balance.
• Rest Before Serving: Let the dish sit covered for 5 minutes after cooking to allow flavors to meld and rice to absorb remaining moisture.

Storing and Reheating One Pot Cabbage Roll

• Refrigerate: Transfer cooled cabbage roll skillet to an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep the container flat to maintain even texture and prevent soggy spots.
• Microwave Reheating: Place desired portion in a microwave-safe dish. Cover with a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to distribute heat evenly. Check internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.
• Stovetop Revival: Warm leftover cabbage roll skillet in a pan over medium-low heat. Add a splash of beef broth or water to prevent sticking and restore original moisture.

Pairing One Pot Cabbage Roll with Sides

• Pair with Crisp Red Wine: A light-bodied pinot noir complements the hearty beef and cabbage flavors, cutting through the richness while enhancing the dish's savory notes.
• Serve with Rustic Bread: A crusty sourdough or country-style bread provides perfect texture for soaking up the delicious tomato and beef sauce, adding a delightful crunch.
• Refresh with Tangy Side Salad: A simple green salad with a zesty vinaigrette balances the warm, comforting one-pot meal, bringing brightness and acidity to the plate.
• Cool Down with Chilled Beer: A crisp lager or pilsner offers a refreshing contrast to the rich, meaty cabbage roll dish, cleansing the palate between bites.

One Pot Cabbage Roll: Variations to Try

• Veggie Fusion: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or lentils for a vegetarian version that maintains rich flavor and protein content.
• Mediterranean Mix: Incorporate feta cheese, chopped kalamata olives, and replace Italian seasoning with oregano and za'atar for a Greek-inspired cabbage roll experience.
• Spicy Southwest Style: Add diced jalapeños, swap beef broth with chicken broth, include cumin and chili powder, and top with shredded pepper jack cheese for a zesty kick.
• Asian-Inspired Remix: Use ground pork instead of beef, add ginger and soy sauce, replace Italian seasoning with five-spice powder, and garnish with chopped green onions for an eastern flair.

One Pot Cabbage Roll Delight Recipe

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4.7 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty Polish cabbage rolls simmer with comfort and tradition in this streamlined one-pot masterpiece. Savory ground meat, tender rice, and aromatic herbs meld together, promising a soul-warming meal you’ll eagerly devour with family and friends.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Proteins:

• 1 pound (454 grams) lean ground beef

Starches:

• 1 cup (200 grams) uncooked valencia rice

Vegetables and Seasonings:

• 1 head of cabbage, roughly chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 15 ounces (425 grams) diced tomatoes
• 15 ounces (425 grams) beef broth or beef stock
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

Garnish:

• Grated parmesan cheese

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Instructions

1. Preheat a spacious skillet with a tight-fitting lid, drizzling olive oil to coat the bottom over medium temperature.
2. Introduce lean ground beef to the skillet, accompanied by finely chopped garlic, half a teaspoon of Italian seasoning, and half a teaspoon of garlic powder.
3. Crumble and sauté the meat thoroughly, ensuring even cooking and breaking down larger chunks for approximately 5-7 minutes until no pink remains.
4. Pour in diced tomatoes, beef broth, uncooked rice, remaining Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
5. Gently integrate all ingredients, stirring to distribute seasonings evenly and create a harmonious blend.
6. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, allowing the liquid to slightly bubble around the edges.
7. Incorporate freshly chopped cabbage, folding it carefully into the beef and rice mixture to ensure uniform distribution.
8. Reduce heat to low, cover the skillet with the lid, and let the dish slowly meld together for 18-22 minutes.
9. Check that rice is tender and cabbage has softened and wilted completely.
10. Remove from heat and let the dish rest for 3-5 minutes to allow flavors to fully develop.
11. Serve immediately, optionally garnishing with freshly grated parmesan cheese for an extra layer of richness.

Notes

• Prep ahead by chopping vegetables and measuring spices to streamline cooking process and minimize kitchen chaos.
• Ground beef works best when browned thoroughly, creating delicious caramelized flavor and preventing watery texture.
• Rice absorbs liquid during cooking, so choose long-grain varieties that maintain structural integrity and prevent mushiness.
• Cabbage wilts beautifully when simmered, infusing the entire dish with subtle sweetness and tender texture.
• One-pot method saves time on cleanup and allows flavors to meld seamlessly while creating a comforting, hearty meal.
• Parmesan cheese adds a luxurious finishing touch, providing a salty, nutty complement to the rich beef and vegetable base.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Eastern European

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 386 kcal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 587 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg