Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Delight (Printer-Friendly)

Hearty unstuffed cabbage rolls featuring ground beef, cabbage, rice, and savory tomato sauce in a simple, comforting dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meat and Aromatics

01 - 1 pound ground beef (85% lean)
02 - 1 medium onion, finely diced
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced

→ Vegetables

04 - 1 medium head cabbage (about 2 pounds), chopped into 1-inch pieces

→ Canned Goods

05 - 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
06 - 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
07 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste

→ Grains and Broth

08 - 1 cup uncooked white rice
09 - 2 cups beef broth

→ Seasonings and Flavorings

10 - 2 tablespoons brown sugar
11 - 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
12 - 1 teaspoon paprika
13 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
14 - 2 bay leaves
15 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Garnish

16 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Heat a large Dutch oven or deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, about 5 to 7 minutes, breaking it into small pieces. Drain excess fat, leaving one tablespoon for flavor.
02 - Add diced onion to the browned beef and cook until translucent, approximately 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
03 - Add chopped cabbage and cook, stirring occasionally, until it begins to wilt, about 5 minutes.
04 - Stir in diced tomatoes with juice, tomato sauce, tomato paste, uncooked rice, beef broth, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, dried thyme, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly.
05 - Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 25 minutes until rice is tender and most liquid is absorbed. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Remove bay leaves before serving.
06 - Allow the dish to rest for 5 minutes to blend flavors. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.

# Extra Suggestions:

01 - Use ground turkey instead of beef and brown rice instead of white rice for a healthier alternative. Adding extra vegetables like grated carrots or bell peppers enhances nutrition.
02 - Avoid overcooking cabbage to maintain texture; it should be tender but not mushy.
03 - For gluten-free preparation, ensure Worcestershire sauce is gluten-free and verify broth ingredients.
04 - The dish improves in flavor when refrigerated overnight; reheat gently with a splash of broth to maintain moisture.

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