Healthy Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls: a one-pot meal for busy weeks

Simple. Delicious. Nutritious. These healthy unstuffed cabbage rolls will remind you of grandma’s traditional dish, but without the hassle.


I loved time-intensive stuffed cabbage rolls as a kid. What’s not to love? I wasn’t the one spending time boiling, stuffing, and rolling stinky cabbage leaves. But once the boiling was over and the dish was in the oven, my mouth watered until they were presented on a white tablecloth at dinner. So yummy.

I feel guilty that I never gave traditional stuffed cabbage to my kids. I’m not sure they’ve ever eaten it. But I have given them my easy-peasy version: healthy unstuffed cabbage rolls – all in one pot.

I “healthified” and simplified it, so I could enjoy healthy comfort food without the fuss.

Healthy unstufffed cabbage rolls: aone pot meal

This Healthy Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls recipe serves up a healthy one-pot meal. Delicious comfort food.

This one-pot meal is packed with whole-grain rice and veggies. It makes a big pot, so it’s perfect for a couple of dinners on busy weeknights. If you have leftovers you don’t plan to eat up within a few days, simply put them in the freezer, and healthy unstuffed cabbage rolls are yours another time.

To keep the dish moist and wonderful, add a liquid  – like vegetable juice or broth – when reheating.

To turn your own favorite recipes into healthy comfort foods, check out 5 Healthy Comfort Food Hacks.

Healthy unstuffed cabbage rolls in a one-pot meal

Beef, brown rice, cabbage, and tomatoes offer up a warm, comforting one-pot meal.

 

With a perfect balance of carbohydrates, fiber, fats, and protein, healthy unstuffed cabbage rolls will fill you up and help manage your blood sugar levels.

Healthy Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls

You'll love this no-fuss, healthy one-pot meal! If you prefer a smaller pot, just cut the recipe in half.
4.91 from 10 votes
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Course: One-Pot Meal
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 310kcal
Author: Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDE, FAND

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef, 93% lean
  • 1 cup brown rice, dry (I prefer brown Basmati rice)
  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves, chopped or crushed
  • 7-8 cups chopped green cabbage (about 20 ounces)
  • 2 (14.5-ounce) cans petite-diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 3 cups low sodium vegetable juice or 2 (14.5-ounce) cans no salt added tomato sauce
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon coarse black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons oregano, dried

Instructions

  • Heat a Dutch oven or a large pot with a lid over medium high heat. Add the meat and break it up quickly. Add the onion. Cook until the meat is browned, about 5 - 6 minutes.
  • Add the garlic and stir. Add the cabbage, tomatoes, vegetable juice, rice, paprika, pepper and oregano. Raise the heat to bring the contents to a boil. Then lower the heat to a low boil.
  • Cover and cook until the rice is tender, about 40 -45 minutes. Stir periodically.

Nutrition

Serving: 1- 3/4 cups | Calories: 310kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 48mg | Sodium: 320mg | Fiber: 7g

Cheers to happy, healthy, comforting meals!

Jill-Weisenberger_about-image-2
Jill Weisenberger

I'm Jill, and I believe simple changes in your mindset and health habits can bring life-changing rewards. And I don't believe in willpower. It's waaaay overrated. As a food-loving registered dietitian nutritionist, certified diabetes care and education specialist and certified health and wellness coach, I've helped thousands of people solve their food and nutrition problems. If you're looking for a better way to master this whole healthy eating/healthy living thing or if you're trying to prevent or manage diabetes or heart problems, you'll find plenty of resources right here.

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Hi there! I'm Jill, a nutrition & diabetes expert and the author of 4 books.

Jill Weisenberger

I believe simple changes in health habits can bring you life-changing rewards.

And I believe willpower is way overrated.

Right here is where you can discover the mindset and habits to stick with healthy lifestyle choices most of the time - and drop the guilt when you don't.

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