While the prep for these unstuffed cabbage rolls is incredibly quick, we generally do not recommend assembling the entire dish in advance and letting it sit raw for an extended period. Since this one-pan dish comes together with uncooked ingredients like raw rice and meat, it’s best to mix everything and bake it immediately. However, you can chop your cabbage, julienne carrots, and dice onions a day or two ahead of time to make the assembly process even faster on cooking day. Simply store the prepped vegetables in airtight containers in the refrigerator until ready to combine with the other ingredients.

Lazy Cabbage Rolls are a brilliant, simplified take on traditional stuffed cabbage rolls, originating from Eastern European culinary traditions (like Ukrainian and Russian). The “lazy” aspect comes from skipping the most time-consuming steps: boiling and softening individual cabbage leaves, then meticulously rolling them around a meat and rice filling. Instead, all the classic ingredients – chopped cabbage, ground meat, uncooked rice, and a flavorful tomato sauce – are mixed together and baked in a casserole dish. The result is a comforting, hearty meal with all the familiar deliciousness of cabbage rolls, but with significantly less effort, making it perfect for modern busy lifestyles.

Oven-Baked Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls: For the most common method, toss all ingredients together in a large baking pan. Bake in a pre-heated oven at 350°F (175°C) for approximately 2 hours. This extended baking time ensures the cabbage becomes wonderfully tender and the raw rice cooks perfectly, absorbing all the delicious flavors.

How to make Stovetop Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls: If you prefer a stovetop method or don’t have a large oven-safe dish, you can adapt this recipe. Begin by browning the ground pork with the diced onion in a large 6-quart pot. Once the meat is cooked through and the onion is softened, add the remaining ingredients. Simmer the mixture covered over medium-low heat for about 60-75 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking of the rice and cabbage. The result is a delicious, one-pot meal that’s just as satisfying.

Absolutely! Making this unstuffed cabbage roll dish on the stovetop is a fantastic option for a one-pot meal. To do so, start by browning your chosen ground meat (pork, beef, turkey) with the diced onion in a large, heavy-bottomed 6-quart pot or Dutch oven. Once the meat is browned and crumbly, drain any excess fat. Then, add the chopped cabbage, uncooked rice, julienned carrots, diluted tomato sauce, and all the spices. Stir everything thoroughly to combine. Cover the pot and simmer over medium-low heat for 60-75 minutes, stirring periodically to prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom and to ensure all ingredients cook evenly. Serve your piping hot stovetop unstuffed cabbage rolls with a generous dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of fresh dill for an authentic touch.

Once cooled, transfer any leftover unstuffed cabbage rolls to an airtight container. Refrigerate promptly, where they will keep fresh and delicious for up to 5 days. This makes them excellent for meal prepping or enjoying throughout the week. For longer storage, you can also freeze leftovers.

To freeze these delicious Lazy Cabbage Rolls, allow the fully cooked casserole to cool completely. Once cooled, spoon individual portions into freezer-safe containers or transfer the entire cooled casserole (if in a freezer-safe pan) into a large freezer bag. Press out as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. They can be kept frozen for up to 3 months.

To Reheat: For best results, thaw frozen unstuffed cabbage rolls overnight in the refrigerator. Once thawed, you can reheat them gently on the stovetop in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until heated thoroughly. If the mixture seems a bit dry, you can add a splash of water or broth. Alternatively, reheat individual portions in the microwave or a larger portion in the oven until warmed through.

Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls are a substantial main course on their own, brimming with rich flavors. For the most authentic and satisfying experience, serve them generously topped with a dollop of creamy sour cream and a sprinkle of freshly chopped dill. Since the casserole already boasts a robust tomato sauce, a dairy-based topping like sour cream complements it beautifully, offering a cooling contrast. Avoid ketchup, as it would overpower the nuanced flavors.

To round out your meal, pair these hearty cabbage rolls with simple, fresh side dishes or pickled vegetables. A crusty, hearty bread, like traditional Russian Black Bread, is perfect for soaking up the delicious sauce. Consider these complementary sides:

• Polish Dill Pickles Recipe: Their tangy crunch is a perfect foil to the rich casserole.
• Creamy Cucumber Tomato Salad: A refreshing and light salad to balance the meal.
• Cabbage Salad with Cucumbers: A simple, crisp salad that complements the main ingredient.

Impressively Generous Servings! This recipe is designed to feed a crowd or provide ample leftovers for a smaller family. Our family of 8 has easily enjoyed this casserole for two separate meals, still leaving enough for an additional 2 servings. This means one batch of this delicious cabbage roll casserole can comfortably serve up to 18 people in total (counting the generous leftovers). It’s truly a fantastic option for gatherings or for having easy, ready-to-reheat meals throughout the week!

This recipe uses simple, wholesome ingredients you likely already have or can easily find. The combination creates a rich, authentic flavor that’s both comforting and satisfying.

• 2 pounds of cabbage, chopped (typically 1 medium head of cabbage)
• 2 pounds ground meat (pork, beef, chicken, or turkey – choose your favorite!)
• 1 cup uncooked white rice (Jasmine or Basmati work wonderfully, but for a healthier twist, consider brown rice)
• 2 carrots, julienned (adds natural sweetness and color)
• 1 onion, diced (forms the aromatic base)
• 12 oz (which is 1 1/2 cups) of any tomato sauce, diluted with 2 cups of water (use canned tomato products, your favorite spaghetti sauce, or even passata for a homemade touch!)

Essential Spices & Flavor Enhancers:

• 3 bay leaves (for classic depth of flavor)
• 1/4 cup olive oil (helps with moisture and richness)
• 1 tbsp salt (season to taste)
• 1/2 tsp pepper (adds a gentle warmth)
• 1/2 tbsp garlic salt (for an extra savory kick, adjust if using plain garlic powder)

Making this hearty Cabbage Roll Casserole couldn’t be simpler! Follow these easy steps to prepare a delicious and comforting meal:

1. Combine the Base Ingredients: Begin by taking a very large disposable baking pan (or a substantial oven-safe casserole dish, at least 20×12 inches). Into this pan, add your freshly chopped cabbage, the raw ground meat of your choice, the uncooked white rice, julienned carrots, and diced onion. Spread them out evenly across the bottom of the pan.

2. Add Sauce and Seasonings: Next, pour the diluted tomato sauce (1 1/2 cups tomato sauce mixed with 2 cups water) over the ingredients in the pan. Drizzle in the olive oil, and then sprinkle generously with the salt, pepper, garlic salt, and nestle in the bay leaves. Using your clean hands (or a sturdy spoon), mix everything thoroughly until all the ingredients are well combined and coated in the sauce. Ensure the ground meat is broken up and distributed evenly.

3. Bake to Perfection: Cover the baking pan tightly with aluminum foil. This helps to steam the cabbage and cook the rice thoroughly while keeping the casserole moist. Bake in your preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for a full 2 hours. This generous baking time allows all the flavors to meld beautifully and ensures everything is tender and perfectly cooked. Once done, remove from the oven, discard the bay leaves, and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your comforting, effortless meal!

Easiest Lazy Cabbage Rolls Recipe:

How to make Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe:

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  Place the cabbage, ground meat, raw rice, carrots, and onion into a large disposable baking pan.
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  Add the diluted tomato sauce, olive oil, and spices. Mix everything thoroughly.
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  Bake covered at 350°F (175°C) for 2 hours.

• This is the large baking pan that I use for this casserole. Costco often has similar size disposable foiled pans, which are perfect for easy cleanup.
• Calories: This generous recipe, which served our family of 8 for two full meals with an additional 2 servings leftover, totals approximately 18 servings. The nutritional information provided is calculated per serving.

Nutrition per serving