Name: Stuffed Cabbage Roll in a Bowl
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 55 min
Ingredients: 1 lb. ground beef, ground turkey, ground chicken or ground sausage ((I used extra lean ground beef here)); 1 small sweet onion, finely diced; ½ of a large head of cabbage, roughly shredded or chopped (about 8 cups total); 1 (14.5 ounce) can petite diced tomatoes, drained; 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed tomato soup, NOT diluted ((I used Campbell’s Healthy Request)); ¼ cup beef broth; 1 teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon garlic powder; ¼ teaspoon pepper; For serving (optional): cooked rice or riced cauliflower; Optional garnish: chopped fresh parsley

All of the delicious flavors of your favorite old fashioned dish come together in a lighter, faster, one skillet meal! This Stuffed Cabbage Roll in a Bowl is a quick and healthy dinner with just 10 minutes of prep!

Total Time: 55 minutes

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Overhead shot of two bowls of stuffed cabbage roll mixture without rice

Forget about steaming or blanching the cabbage leaves and tediously wrapping each individual portion! There’s almost no prep work necessary for this 10-minute dinner idea. It’s a shortcut twist on my Polish grandmother’s famous recipe, and it’s sure to become a tradition in your house as well!

We all have those comfort food meals that remind us of our childhood, and "Golumpki" is definitely one of mine.

What are Stuffed Cabbage Rolls?

Many different cultures have their own version of this classic dish. Generally speaking, most involve cooked cabbage leaves wrapped around a variety of fillings including meat and grains. The stuffed cabbage is baked or steamed and served with a sauce.

Sauces vary depending on the region. In Scandinavia, the cabbage is often accompanied by lingonberry jam, while in Eastern Europe, you'll typically find tomato-based sauces or plain sour cream (source).

My updated version of my Polish grandmother's original recipe is more like a stir-fry, which cooks in one pot and won't weigh you down! The chopped cabbage and meat is simmered in a tomato-based sauce for a hearty and satisfying meal -- without rice!

Close up image of stuffed cabbage roll mixture in a cast iron skillet garnished with fresh parsley

How to Make Stuffed Cabbage Rolls without Rice:

First, start by chopping or shredding half of a large head of green cabbage. You'll need a total of about 8 cups of chopped cabbage, which looks like a lot -- but it cooks down!

Next, cook the ground beef and onion in a large skillet or Dutch oven. Drain off the fat, and return the meat to the pan.

Ground beef and onion in a cast iron skillet

Next, stir in the cabbage, diced tomatoes, condensed tomato soup, beef broth, salt, garlic powder and pepper.

Raw cabbage and tomatoes in a skillet with ground beef

Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer over low heat for about 25-30 minutes (or until the cabbage is tender). If it looks like there's too much liquid in the pan, you can remove the lid during the final 5-10 minutes of cooking.

Front shot of unstuffed cabbage rolls mixture in a cast iron skillet

What do you serve with Stuffed Cabbage Roll in a Bowl:

For a light, grain-free meal, this one skillet dinner is perfect on its own. If you want a supper that's more filling, here are a few options that go well with the cabbage mixture:

Rice
Riced cauliflower
Pasta
Crusty bread or dinner rolls

Close overhead shot of blue and white bowl full of stuffed cabbage roll mixture

Cook's Tips and Recipe Variations:

These healthy stuffed cabbage rolls omit the rice, so there are just 255 calories in each large portion. For an even more filling meal, serve the cabbage mixture over rice or riced cauliflower.
I've shown ground beef here, but you can make Chicken Stuffed Cabbage Rolls by using ground chicken, or try substituting with ground turkey or ground sausage.
Can I make Stuffed Cabbage Rolls ahead of time? Yes! This dish can be prepared in advance and then reheated throughout the week for quick lunches or dinners.
How to reheat Stuffed Cabbage Rolls: individual portions of this cooked cabbage mixture can be reheated in microwave-safe bowls in the microwave for about 1-2 minutes, or until warmed through. To reheat a larger portion, place the leftovers in a skillet or large saucepan and warm (uncovered) over low heat.
Can you freeze Stuffed Cabbage Rolls? You can freeze the leftover cooked cabbage mixture; however, the cabbage will be more watery and mushy when thawed. It's not my preference!
Cooking just for two? Cut all of the ingredients in half. The rest of the instructions remain the same.

Overhead shot of one skillet stuffed cabbage roll

More easy cabbage recipes that you might enjoy:

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