Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Skillet Dinner (With Rice)

Name: Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Skillet
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 1 pound Ground Beef; 1 Small Onion (finely diced); 1/2 cup Bell Pepper (finely diced); 3 cloves Garlic (minced); 2 teaspoon Paprika; 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano; 1 teaspoon Dried Thyme; 1/2 teaspoon Dill; 3/4 teaspoon Salt; 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper; 1 14.5-ounce can Diced Tomatoes (Undrained); 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce; 2 teaspoon Hot Sauce (Optional); 1/2 teaspoon Sugar; 1/2 cup Rice (uncooked); 2 1/2 cup Beef Broth; 1 teaspoon Beef Base (optional for extra beef flavor); 4 cups Coleslaw Mix; 1/2 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese; 1/2 cup Mozzarella Cheese (shredded (optional, for topping)); Fresh Parsley (chopped (for garnish))

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This Cabbage Roll Skillet Dinner is a quick and easy way to enjoy all the comforting flavors of traditional stuffed cabbage—without the hassle! Ready in just over 30 minutes and made entirely in one pan, it’s the perfect solution for a hearty, flavorful dinner that’s simple to whip up on a busy night.

A close-up of a cooked dish featuring melted cheese, ground beef, rice, and chopped vegetables. A white spatula rests in the mixture, suggesting serving or mixing.

If you’re looking for an easy recipe that’s sure to be a hit with the entire family, this skillet recipe is exactly what you need! Drawing from my experience as a business owner creating family-style recipes for clients, I’m passionate about developing dishes that help busy home cooks enjoy quick, easy, and flavorful homemade dinners.

If you enjoy recipes with cabbage, you’ll also want to try my roasted cabbage and pulled pork bowls.

Why You’ll Love This Cabbage Roll Dinner

Hearty: This casserole is loaded with beef, veggies, and cheese. It is hearty and nourishing and makes a delicious weeknight meal.
One pot meal: Don’t you love skillet meals that only use one pot? Fewer pots to clean up is always a bonus.
Family-friendly: The whole family will love this cheese-topped casserole.
Easy recipe: This skillet version comes together easily, unlike traditional cabbage rolls, which are a little more labor-intensive.

Ingredients

A cooking prep scene with ground meat, cheddar, butter, broth, diced tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, spices, garlic, rice, coleslaw mix, red bell pepper, onion, parsley, and garlic on a marble surface. A grater and measuring cups are included.

A complete list of ingredients can be found in the recipe card below.

Ground Beef: I like to use lean ground beef for this skillet dinner.
Seasonings: To add more flavor, I combined paprika, dried oregano, dried thyme, dill, salt, and black pepper.
Hot Sauce: For a touch of heat, add as much or as little as you like. You can also sprinkle the cabbage skillet with red pepper flakes.
Rice: I added uncooked white rice to cook in the skillet.
Coleslaw Mix: You can pick up a package of coleslaw mix at the grocery store or add shredded cabbage leaves and carrots that you prepare yourself.
Cheese: I used both shredded cheddar cheese and mozzarella, but you can use your favorite cheeses.
Parsley: Chopped fresh parsley for garnish adds a pop of color.

How To Cook Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Brown ground beef in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain excess fat if necessary.

Step 2: Add the diced onion, bell pepper, and garlic to the skillet with the beef. Cook for 5 minutes over medium heat until the vegetables have softened.

A skillet contains ground beef, chopped onions, minced garlic, and diced red bell peppers.

Step 3: Sprinkle in the paprika, oregano, thyme, dill, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine, allowing the spices to cook for 1-2 minutes.

Step 4: Add the uncooked rice, beef broth, beef base, diced tomatoes (with their juice), hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, and coleslaw mix to the skillet. Stir well to combine all ingredients.

A pan filled with ground meat, diced tomatoes, raw rice, and shredded cabbage.

Step 5: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Cover the skillet and reduce heat to medium-low. Let it cook for about 20-25 minutes or until the rice is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.

Step 6: Once the rice is cooked, sprinkle the cheddar and mozzarella cheese (if using) over the top. Cover the skillet again and let the cheese melt for about 3-5 minutes.

A white skillet filled with a mixture of rice, vegetables, and ground meat, topped with shredded cheddar and white cheese.

Step 7: Once the cheese is melted and bubbly, garnish with fresh parsley, if desired, and serve warm. Enjoy!

A white plate with a serving of stuffed pepper casserole, featuring ground beef, rice, tomatoes, and melted cheese.

FAQs

What type of rice works best in this cabbage roll skillet?

I used long-grain white rice, but you can use basmati or jasmine rice if you like. If you want to use brown rice, you may need more liquid.

Do I have to blanch or pre-cook the cabbage?

No, there is no pre-cooking required. The cabbage will soften as it cooks in the skillet.

What to serve with this cabbage roll skillet recipe

To start: Salad is always a great way to start your meal so I like to serve this wedge salad or this pear salad.

On the side: Though there are veggies in this skillet, if you are looking for more, this glazed carrots recipe is a good option, as is this recipe for roasted brussels sprouts

For dessert: A piece of my chocolate walnut fudge or a slice of key lime pie are good options.

Recipe Variations

Swap The Ground Beef: Instead of ground beef use ground chicken, ground turkey, or any ground meat you have on hand.
Add More Veggies: Stir in a cup of frozen peas and carrots.
Change Up the Rice: Try using quinoa, bulgur, or your favorite grain instead of rice. Note that the cooking time may be different, and you may need to adjust the amount of liquid.

More skillet and casserole ideas

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