Lazy Cabbage Roll Casserole has all the flavour of traditional stuffed cabbage rolls, but not all the work.
Made in one pot on the stovetop in about 60 minutes, these unstuffed cabbage rolls are Ukrainian approved.
A hearty and delicious meal. No side dish is needed. Perfect for batch cooking.
Deconstructed recipes are the best. No fuss, but all the flavour. Have you tried Quinoa Sushi Salad? Just like an unrolled California roll in a bowl.
Chicken Mushroom Barley Casserole is another one-dish dinner that is sure to please.
I love Ukrainian comfort food. Yes, there is such a thing. Here are a few of our favourites:
- Pierogi Sauce – the best topping for pierogies and more. Try it on baked potatoes or steak.
- Traditional Egg Noodle Casserole – my baba’s recipe.
- Ukrainian Kobasa Kapusta – sauerkraut with kobassa is a staple in Ukrainian kitchens.
- Ukrainian Dill Potatoes – the perfect side to any meal. Potatoes covered in a green onion dill sauce.
- Ukrainian Cheesecake – made with dry curd cottage cheese is so delicious.
You can even celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with this easy skillet version of corned beef and cabbage.
RECIPE and INSTRUCTIONS for these deconstructed cabbage rolls can be found at the bottom of this post.
Lazy Cabbage Rolls Need Simple Ingredients
I even used my roasted tomatoes in this easy stovetop recipe. Be sure to read on to find some great substitutions and recipe tips.
- Cabbage
- Onion
- Garlic
- Water
- Crushed Tomatoes
- Rice
- Seasoning
- Olive Oil
- Ground Turkey
Cabbage Roll Casserole Is So Easy To Make
If you have made cabbage rolls before, you will know just how time-consuming it can be. Precook the cabbage, mix the filling, make the rolls, layer in a baking dish, and bake.
This unstuffed cabbage roll recipe is the easiest way to enjoy cabbage rolls without all the work. Don’t worry, you won’t be sacrificing on any of the flavour either. Full instructions are in the recipe card below.
- Prepare the cabbage, onion and garlic.
- Cook the onions and garlic in a dutch oven.
- Add the meat and saute.
- Add the cabbage and cook until softened.
- Add all the remaining ingredients, cover and dinner is ready in about 40 minutes.
What you end up with is an undone version of classic cabbage rolls. Meat, rice, cabbage and a tasty tomato sauce. Delicious spoonfuls of Ukrainian comfort food.
Substitutions/Recipe Tips
- Ground turkey – you can also use beef, pork, lamb or chicken. We also love a combination of beef and pork.
- Crushed tomatoes – can be replaced with spaghetti sauce, canned tomato soup or tomato paste. If you choose tomato paste, I would decrease the amount since it might be overpowering.
- Greek seasoning – easily substituted with Italian seasoning, parsley, or oregano.
- Onion and garlic – you can reaplace powdered onion and garlic, adjusting the amount. I would say about 1 teaspoon onion powder and ½ a teaspoon of garlic powder. You be the judge.
- Cabbage – one really quick tip is using a colelaw mix in place of the cabbage.
- Rice – I used parboiled white rice. You can also use long grain or short grain rice. Want the casserole to stretch a little further? Add more rice, but be sure to add/adjust the amount of water as well.
How to store it? Can you freeze this casserole?
Any leftovers should be refrigerated in an airtight container. This casserole will last for 3-4 days in the fridge.
This is the perfect meal for batch cooking. Place in freezer bags, or containers and store. This will last for several months in the freezer.
Thaw in the fridge, and reheat easily in the oven, stovetop or microwave. If you find the casserole too thick, simply add a bit of water when heating.
Visit my casseroles and one-pot meals page for easy-to-make recipes. Looking for more stovetop recipes and skillet casseroles? Here are a few to try:
- Stovetop Mac and Cheese
- Vegetarian Baked Beans
- Sloppy Skillet Chicken Parmesan
- Sausage and Rice Skillet
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Ukrainian Cabbage Roll Casserole
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 4 ounces onion diced
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 4 cups cabbage finely chopped
- 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
- 3 cups water
- 1 ¼ cup rice uncooked
- 1 tablespoon Greek seasoning
Instructions
- Finely chop the cabbage, dice the onion and garlic and set aside.
- In a dutch oven, heat the oil.
- Add the onion and cook over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes to soften.
- Toss in the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds.
- Add the ground turkey and cook for 5-6 minutes until the meat is no longer pink.
- Toss in the cabbage to the meat, and cook for about 10 minutes to nicely wilt the cabbage.
- Add all the remaining ingredients: water, tomatoes, seasoing, rice.
- Mix well, bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, cover and cook for 30-40 minutes.
- Stir several times during the cooking process. The casserole will be done when the rice is cooked and contents in the pot have thickened.
- Remove from heat and enjoy.
Colleen
I love cabbage rolls but don’t make them enough because of all the work. This lazy recipe saves the day! Thanks for sharing!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
I agree traditional cabbage rolls are a lot of work. This cabbage roll casserole is a time-saver, but no loss in the taste department.
Ramona
I am dying to try out this recipe, it looks super delicious and I love the flavors that are added into this dish! Thank you for sharing, I can’t wait to give it a go!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
If you love cabbage rolls, this casserole will be a hit in your house. ENJOY!
Tristin
My family loved this cabbage roll casserole! All the flavor of cabbage rolls, but so much less work.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
Yes, this is the easiest way to make cabbage rolls hands down.
Sandhya Ramakrishnan
How fun is this recipe and there is no rolling and all that mess. I love one pot meals and this is so filling and perfect.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
I agree, unless you need to impress with presentation, these lazy cabbage rolls are a time saver….but deliver on taste.
Lauren Michael Harris
I had to make cabbage rolls once in culinary school and they were so bland – this recipe is much more flavorful! Definitely a keeper!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
The flavour of this cabbage roll casserole reminds me of baba….so good. ENJOY!
Amy Liu Dong
It’s a great complete dish, that’s looks so delicious and tasty. Plus the preparation up to the cooking part is so easy to follow.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
Hope you give these lazy cabbage rolls a try soon.
Linda
This is probably the easiest cabbage roll recipe I’ve tried…and it’s so delicious and comforting
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
I totally agree, this is the easiest way to make cabbage rolls without losing any flavour.
Enriqueta E Lemoine
No, I don’t like cabbage rolls. I adore them! But they are a lot of work. So, your lazy casserole is simply genius! I think I’m making my grandma’s cabbage rolls following your technique. Thanks for the inspiration!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
You are very welcome. I am sure you will love this cabbage roll casserole.
mikayla
I do not agree this is lazy.. but it is a simple recipe that is a winner. A meal in one pan is also a huge bonus.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
Haha…well this easy method to make cabbage rolls without all the work is a winner all around.
Michele
These cabbage rolls were delicious. My husband wanted a second helping and asked me to make these on a regular basis because he loved it so much. Thank you for a wonderful recipe.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
I have to agree with him. This is the easiest way to enjoy cabbage rolls without all the fuss.