Mediterranean-Style Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe
If you’re craving a cozy, flavor-packed meal that’s ready in under an hour, Mediterranean-Style Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls are about to become your new weeknight hero. This vibrant skillet dish delivers all the irresistible flavors of traditional stuffed cabbage—think tender cabbage, aromatic spices, juicy ground meat, and rice—all simmered together in a rich tomato sauce, but without the fuss of rolling or layering. It’s a hearty, one-pot dinner that brings a burst of Mediterranean warmth to your table, perfect for sharing with family or friends.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the ingredients for Mediterranean-Style Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls is refreshingly simple, and each one plays its own important role in creating the dish’s comforting texture, vivid colors, and unmistakably Mediterranean taste. Here’s what you’ll need to make every bite count:
- Olive oil: Adds a fruity richness and helps brown the meat and soften the veggies.
- Ground beef or lamb: The savory heart of the dish—choose lamb for a deeper, earthier flavor or beef for classic comfort.
- Onion: Provides a sweet, aromatic base that mingles beautifully with the spices.
- Garlic: Brings an essential kick of pungency and depth.
- Green cabbage: The star veggie, chopped and wilted, it soaks up all the saucy goodness.
- Diced tomatoes: For a fresh, tangy burst and a chunky texture.
- Tomato sauce: Adds body and richness, creating a luscious braising liquid.
- White rice (uncooked): Fluffs up as it cooks, making the dish hearty and satisfying.
- Dried oregano: Infuses the dish with a signature Mediterranean herbaceousness.
- Ground cumin: Layers in subtle warmth and a nutty depth.
- Cinnamon: Just a touch transforms the flavor, adding gentle sweetness and complexity.
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional): For heat lovers, a bit of zing.
- Salt: Essential for highlighting every flavor.
- Black pepper: Brings a mild, balancing bite.
- Low-sodium vegetable or beef broth: Moistens the rice and infuses every spoonful with savory flavor.
- Fresh parsley or mint: A bright, herbal garnish that wakes up the whole dish just before serving.
How to Make Mediterranean-Style Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls
Step 1: Brown the Meat
Start by heating the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the ground beef or lamb and cook, breaking it up as you go, until it’s nicely browned and beginning to crisp around the edges—about 5 to 6 minutes. If there’s excess fat, go ahead and drain it off, but leave a little for flavor.
Step 2: Sauté Onion and Garlic
Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the pan with the browned meat. Cook for another 2 to 3 minutes, stirring often, until the onion is soft and translucent and the garlic is fragrant. This creates a savory base that will permeate all the other ingredients.
Step 3: Wilt the Cabbage
Now, stir in the chopped green cabbage. Let it cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it starts to soften and shrink down. Don’t worry if the pan looks full at first—cabbage loses a lot of volume as it wilts.
Step 4: Build the Sauce and Add Rice
Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, uncooked white rice, oregano, cumin, cinnamon, red pepper flakes if you like things spicy, salt, and pepper. Pour in the broth, making sure everything is well combined. At this stage, your kitchen will already smell amazing, thanks to the blend of tomatoes and warm spices.
Step 5: Simmer to Perfection
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and let it cook for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring now and then to prevent sticking. The rice will absorb the liquid and the flavors will meld together. If things are looking dry before the rice is done, add a splash more broth or water to keep it nice and saucy.
Step 6: Taste, Adjust, and Garnish
Once the rice is perfectly tender and the cabbage is meltingly soft, taste and adjust the seasonings if needed. Spoon the Mediterranean-Style Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls into bowls, and shower generously with chopped fresh parsley or mint. The green herbs make every bite pop with freshness.
How to Serve Mediterranean-Style Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls
Garnishes
A handful of fresh parsley or mint is a must for Mediterranean-Style Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls. For extra flair, you can add crumbled feta, a swirl of Greek yogurt, or a sprinkle of toasted pine nuts. Each brings another layer of color and flavor to the table.
Side Dishes
This dish is hearty enough to stand alone, but it also plays well with others. Serve alongside warm, pillowy pita bread for scooping, a crisp cucumber-tomato salad, or classic sides like hummus and olives for a complete Mediterranean spread. If you’re feeling extra, a lemony tzatziki is a perfect accompaniment.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve Mediterranean-Style Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls in shallow bowls with a wedge of lemon on the side, or spoon it over a bed of fluffy couscous or quinoa. You can even tuck it into pita pockets for a portable lunch or stuff it into roasted bell peppers for a gorgeous, dinner-party worthy presentation.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Mediterranean-Style Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls keep beautifully in the fridge for up to 4 days. Let the dish cool fully before transferring to an airtight container. The flavors deepen and meld, making the next day’s meal even more delicious.
Freezing
This recipe freezes like a dream! Portion the cooled cabbage rolls into freezer-safe containers, leaving a little space for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for best results.
Reheating
To reheat, simply warm the desired portion in a covered skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce. You can also microwave single servings, covered, in 1-minute bursts, stirring in between until hot throughout.
FAQs
Can I make Mediterranean-Style Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls vegetarian?
Absolutely! Swap the ground beef or lamb for your favorite plant-based ground meat, or use cooked lentils for a hearty, protein-rich twist. Just be sure to use vegetable broth, and you’ll have a satisfying vegetarian version.
What type Main Course
White long-grain rice cooks up tender and fluffy in this dish, but you can use basmati, jasmine, or even brown rice. If using brown rice, increase the cooking time and add a bit more broth as needed.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, Mediterranean-Style Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls are naturally gluten-free, as long as all packaged ingredients (like broth and tomato sauce) are certified gluten-free. It’s a great option for anyone avoiding gluten.
Can I use red cabbage instead of green?
Red cabbage can be substituted, though it will give the dish a different color and a slightly earthier flavor. The texture will be just as satisfying, and it’s a fun way to switch things up!
How spicy are these unstuffed cabbage rolls?
The spice level is mild, with just a touch of warmth from the cinnamon and red pepper flakes. You can adjust the heat by adding more or less red pepper flakes, or omit them entirely if you prefer a milder dish.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about sharing a pot of Mediterranean-Style Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls—each spoonful is bursting with comfort, color, and bold flavor. If you love an easy, one-pot meal that brings the Mediterranean to your kitchen, give this recipe a try and let it become a staple in your own rotation. Your family and friends will thank you!
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Mediterranean-Style Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
A flavorful and easy Mediterranean-style unstuffed cabbage rolls recipe combining ground beef or lamb, cabbage, and rice in a rich tomato sauce with aromatic spices. This one-pot stovetop meal is perfect for a wholesome weeknight dinner and makes delicious leftovers.
Ingredients
Protein and Vegetables
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef or lamb
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ head green cabbage, chopped
Tomato and Rice Ingredients
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
- ½ cup uncooked white rice
Spices and Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Liquids and Garnish
- 1 ½ cups low-sodium vegetable or beef broth
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or mint (for garnish)
Instructions
- Brown the meat: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef or lamb and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5–6 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
- Sauté aromatics and cabbage: Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the browned meat and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened and fragrant. Stir in the chopped cabbage and continue cooking for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage begins to wilt.
- Add tomatoes, rice, and spices: Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, uncooked white rice, dried oregano, ground cumin, cinnamon, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper, ensuring all ingredients are well combined.
- Simmer with broth: Pour in the low-sodium vegetable or beef broth and mix thoroughly. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the skillet or pot and cook for 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rice is tender and the cabbage is fully cooked. Add a splash of water or broth if the mixture seems too dry.
- Adjust seasoning and garnish: Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Remove from heat and sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley or mint before serving for a fresh, aromatic finish.
Notes
- This dish tastes even better the next day, making it excellent for leftovers.
- Serve with warm pita bread and a dollop of Greek yogurt or a side of hummus for a full Mediterranean-inspired meal.
- You can substitute ground beef with ground lamb for a more traditional flavor.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, increase the crushed red pepper flakes to your taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ½ cups
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
