Easy Crockpot Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls – The Schmidty Wife: Easy Crockpot Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe

My Busy-Day Secret

Some days, I just want a hug from a bowl. This recipe is that hug. It has all the cozy taste of stuffed cabbage rolls. But you skip all the fussy rolling.

You just brown, chop, and dump it all in. The slow cooker does the rest. I love how the smell fills the house. It tells me dinner is taking care of itself. That matters on a busy day.

A Funny Little Story

My grandson once called this “cabbage soup.” I still laugh at that. I told him it was deconstructed rolls. He just blinked at me. So now we call it “Lazy Cabbage.” The name stuck.

That’s the spirit of this dish. It’s forgiving and friendly. No need for things to be perfect. Have you ever given a recipe a silly nickname? I’d love to hear it.

Why This Tastes So Good

The magic is in the slow cooking. The cabbage gets so sweet and soft. The beef and tomatoes become best friends. Doesn’t that smell amazing?

The Worcestershire sauce is the quiet hero. It adds a deep, savory flavor. Fun fact: Worcestershire sauce is usually aged in barrels for over a year! That’s why a little bit does so much.

Make It Your Own

This is your kitchen now. You can use ground turkey instead of beef. Try it with brown rice or mashed potatoes. It’s all good.

That’s why this recipe matters. It teaches you to trust yourself. Cooking should feel easy, not scary. What’s your favorite cozy food to make on a busy night?

A Cozy Bowl of Goodness

Serve it hot in a big bowl. I always make extra. It tastes even better the next day. The flavors have more time to dance together.

This dish feels like a warm blanket. It feeds your body and your heart. That’s the best kind of cooking. Do you prefer yours over rice, or all on its own?

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Ground beef	1 pound
Yellow onion	1, diced
Dried thyme	1 teaspoon
Dried parsley	2 teaspoons
Red pepper flakes	1/4 teaspoon
Kosher salt	1 teaspoon
Green cabbage	1 small head	Chopped or shredded
Petite diced tomatoes	14 ounce can
Tomato paste	6 ounce can
Worcestershire sauce	2 tablespoons
Water	1/2 cup

My Cozy Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls

Hello, my dear. Come sit. Let’s talk about my unstuffed cabbage rolls. This is my lazy-day version of my grandma’s recipe. She spent hours rolling each little cabbage bundle. My back would ache just watching her! So I make it all in the crockpot now. All the same cozy flavor, with none of the fuss. Doesn’t that smell amazing? It fills the whole house with warmth.

It’s really just a happy jumble in one pot. Savory beef, sweet onions, and soft cabbage. The tomato sauce gets so rich and deep. I still laugh at the first time I made this. My grandson asked where the “rolls” were! He didn’t mind one bit after the first bite. Here is exactly how I put it together.

Step 1: Grab a big skillet. Crumble in your ground beef. Cook it on medium-high until it’s mostly brown. Now toss in your diced onion and all those dried herbs. That thyme and parsley make it smell like a garden. Let it cook for a few minutes until the onions soften. Then dump it all into your crockpot.

Step 2: Next, take your head of cabbage. Chop it into big, bite-sized pieces. About an inch is perfect. They will cook down so much. Just pile it all on top of the beef in the crockpot. It looks like a mountain now! (A hard-learned tip: Bigger pieces hold up better. Tiny pieces can get too mushy.)

Step 3: Time for the sauce. In a bowl, mix the diced tomatoes and tomato paste. Add the Worcestershire sauce and water. Stir until it’s all smooth and red. Pour this lovely sauce right over the cabbage mountain. Now, gently mix everything in the pot. Try to get the sauce down into the beef.

Step 4: Put the lid on. Let it cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. If you’re home, give it one stir halfway. That helps the flavors dance together. When it’s done, the cabbage will be tender and sweet. Serve it hot over a fluffy bed of rice. Do you think your family would know it’s not “rolled”? Share below!

Cook Time: 6–8 hours
Total Time: 6 hours 20 minutes
Yield: 8 servings
Category: Dinner

Three Fun Twists to Try

This recipe is like a good friend. It’s happy to change its clothes for you. Here are a few of my favorite ways to play with it. Each one makes it feel like a brand new meal.

The Turkey Twist: Swap the beef for ground turkey. It’s a little lighter but just as tasty.

The “No-Meat” Monday: Use two cans of brown lentils instead of beef. You’ll get that same hearty feel.

The Sweet & Savory: Add a big handful of raisins when you stir. They plump up and add a sweet surprise.

Which one would you try first? Comment below!

How to Serve Your Masterpiece

This dish is a hug in a bowl all by itself. But I love to make it feel special. A scoop of white rice is classic. But buttered egg noodles are wonderful too. For a garnish, a little sprinkle of fresh parsley is pretty. A dollop of cool sour cream on top is my favorite.

What to drink? For the grown-ups, a glass of dark red wine is nice. For everyone, a fizzy apple cider is perfect. The sweet tang goes so well with the tomatoes. Which would you choose tonight?

Keeping Your Unstuffed Cabbage Cozy

This dish stores beautifully. Let it cool completely first. Then pop it in the fridge for up to four days. It tastes even better the next day. The flavors get to know each other.

You can freeze it for three months. I use old yogurt containers. They are the perfect single-serving size. My first time, I used a giant tub. Thawing it took forever. Now I am much smarter.

Reheat it gently on the stove. Add a splash of water or broth. This keeps it from drying out. Batch cooking this saves a busy weeknight. It matters because a good meal should give you peace, not stress. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Simple Fixes for Common Hiccups

Is your dish too watery? The cabbage releases lots of liquid. Just take the lid off for the last 30 minutes. Let some steam escape. This will thicken your sauce right up.

Worried about bland flavor? Do not skip the Worcestershire sauce. It adds a deep, savory taste. I once forgot it. The whole pot tasted flat. Seasoning matters because it wakes up all the other ingredients.

Is the cabbage too crunchy or too mushy? Chop it into even, one-inch pieces. This helps it cook perfectly. Getting the texture right builds your cooking confidence. Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Questions, My Answers

Q: Is this recipe gluten-free? A: Yes, just check your Worcestershire sauce label. Some brands contain wheat.

Q: Can I make it ahead? A: Absolutely. Follow the steps but do not cook it. Keep the mix in the fridge for a day. Then start your crockpot.

Q: What if I don’t have ground beef? A: Ground turkey or pork work great. It is a very forgiving recipe.

Q: Can I double the recipe? A: You can, if your crockpot is big enough. Just keep the cooking time the same.

Q: Any optional tips? A: A squeeze of lemon at the end is lovely. Fun fact: A little acid makes flavors pop! Which tip will you try first?

From My Kitchen to Yours

I hope this recipe finds its way to your table. It is simple, hearty, and full of love. I would love to see your creation. Sharing food stories connects us all.

If you make it, take a picture. Show me your beautiful dish. Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest! I always look for your posts. Thank you for cooking with me today.

Happy cooking!
—Anna Whitmore.