Go ahead and file these Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls under things I must make weekly. Wholesome, delicious, and even kid friendly. Yes, that’s right!! It’s one of my kids absolute favorites!
There is a special spot in my heart for cabbage rolls (Holubky). It was the most prized recipe from my grandpa, and everyone in my family used to argue over who got to bring home the leftovers. When my grandpa gave us all his recipes in a binder, he would put little notes on the side of it that would say things like “Sheri’s favorite, make extra cause Barbara will fight for them” He probably got a huge kick outta every one having googly eyes over his food.
My grandpa’s recipe is for cabbage rolls, but I just don’t have time or if I’m completely honest…I just don’t want to roll them up! They taste just as good as the rolled version and another extra bonus I don’t have to cut them up for my kids. So these bad boys are staying unstuffed!
I like making this in the Instant Pot, but you are more than welcome to do it on the stove-top. In fact I put both methods in the recipe card for you. I know a lot of you may still not have a pressure cooker, and I would never leave you hanging. Especially with a recipe that is as scrumptious as this.
Ingredients
- 1 head of cabbage, cut into large chunks
- 3 lbs lbs of ground beef
- 3 carrots, diced
- 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 small can tomato paste
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 package of cauli-rice
- 1 tsp or so of salt and pepper
- 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbl dried parsley
- 1 tbl dried basil
- 1 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1 tbl ghee or oil
- 1 cup water (if using Pressure Cooker)
Instructions
- Place IP onto saute mode. Heat up your oil or ghee and then add in the diced onion, carrot, and bell pepper.
- Stir frequently until onions become very fragrant.
- While still on saute mode, add in your ground beef and break it up.
- Next, add in the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, cauli-rice, seasonings, and water. Stir to combine.
- Close lid, and seal valve
- Press manual, high pressure, for 20 minutes. Once time is up manually release the pressure
- Take your chopped cabbage and place into Pressure Cooker.
- Close lid, make sure valve is sealed, and set on Manual for 2 minutes.
- Once the 2 minutes is up manually release the pressure.
- Stir to combine, then place into bowls and enjoy!
- Heat up your oil or ghee in a large skillet.
- Add in your diced onion, carrot, and bell pepper. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently until onions are transparent and carrots start to soften.
- Add in the ground beef, seasonings, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and cauli-rice and stir to combine.
- Place a lid on the skillet and let cook 10-15 minutes or until meat is cooked through.
- Add in your cut cabbage, then close lid again and let cook another 5-10 minutes or until cabbage is cooked down.
- Scoop into a bowl and enjoy!
This makes great leftovers and you can freeze this as well! If you decide to freeze it, make just the meat part of it and omit the cabbage. When you are ready to cook, defrost in the fridge, and just add the cabbage at the end per recipe instructions. The meat mixture also is delishy stuffed into bell peppers!
Do you guys have a recipe that your family always used to fight over?
Whole30: yes
Paleo: yes
We do not have a Trader Joes —
What “everyday seasoning ” would I use?
I looked at some I have and they are not Whole30 compliant–
Thank you!
Hi Tanya, if you have italian seasoning that would work. Add in a bit more salt with the seasoning
I forgot found a good all purpose at costco…organic and no sugar
Could you do this in the instant pot?
Yes you can. Throw everything in except for the cabbage. Cook on stew setting and manually release pressure. Then add in cabbage, close back up, and set on manual for 0 minutes. And again, manually release pressure!
I can’t tell if you mean to cook the hamburger in saute mode in the IP or if you mean to let it still be raw when you seal up the IP for 20 minutes. Please clarify. Thank you!
You will cook it raw. You are just sticking in the meat while the instant pot is still on saute mode.
Hi Jenn! Quick question. How much is in the packet of cauliflower rice? I live in Europe, so possibly not the same quantities. I am so looking forward to trying these cabbage rolls! Thanks, Karin
The packets here in the U.S. are around 12 oz.I hope you enjoy them! One of our favorites
How much time should I cook in instant pot for 1 lb of ground beef (only making for 2)? Thank you!
15-18 minutes should be good
We do t have cauli-rice here. Is it dried, or can I just rice done csliflower and add it in?
Cauli-Rice is not dry. You can usually find it in the frozen veggie section of the grocery store. You can easily make your own as well. Finely chop (a food processor makes this easier) raw cauliflower and then dump it into the recipe. You can also use regular rice if you prefer. 🙂
Made this tonight after seeing it on Instagram. So delicious and a snap to make. Thank you
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!!!
Can I use regular rice?
Yes you sure can!!
This was fantastic and gloriously easy!
I’m so happy you enjoyed!
Oven friendly recipe….????
Yes! Throw everything into a casserole dish and cook at 350 degrees, covered for 35 minutes
I love this recipe. However, I get a burn warning on my IP every time. Any tips for me?
Add a little bit more oil or a little water into the pot. The burn warning is coming up cause the bottom of the pot is too hot.