Deconstructed Cabbage Roll Recipe (Cabbage Roll Meatballs)

This deconstructed cabbage roll recipe delivers classic stuffed cabbage flavor without rolling. Easy one-pan comfort food for busy nights.

Course Dinner, Main Course, supper

Cuisine American, southern

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 30

Total Time 40

Servings servings

Calories 276

Author Ronda Eagle | Kitchen Dreaming

Ingredients

For the Meatballs:

1 lb lean ground beef
1/2 cup uncooked converted rice [See Notes 1]
1/2 cup onion , minced
1 tsp garlic , minced
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp Italian seasoning spice blend [See Note 2]
1 egg , beaten
1/4 cabbage , finely diced for meatballs
1/2 cup tomato sauce [See Note 3]

For the Sauce:

3/4 cabbage , finely julienne for sauce
1/2 cup uncooked converted rice , optional [See Note 1]
1 (14.5-ounce) can tomatoes, diced with juices
1 (28-ounce) can tomato sauce, divided [See Note 3]

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, cooked rice, 1/2 cup tomato sauce, chopped onion, Italian seasoning, egg, garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix just until combined. Gently fold in the finely chopped cabbage reserved for the meatballs. Form into 1-inch meatballs, about the size of a golf ball.
Heat a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil. Brown the meatballs on all sides, about 3 to 5 minutes. They do not need to be fully cooked at this stage.
Add the remaining tomato sauce (24 ounces) and diced tomatoes to the pot. Stir in the cabbage for the sauce and optional rice if using. Season with salt and pepper. Stir gently to combine without breaking the meatballs.
Cover tightly with a lid and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the meatballs are fully cooked and the rice inside the meatballs is tender.
Serve over mashed potatoes or enjoy as is with the simmered cabbage and rice.

Notes

1). Converted rice, like Uncle Bens, is a parboiled, long-grain rice that cooks quicker than a traditional rice. It is available in both white and brown.2). Italian Seasoning Spice Blend is a blend of spices sold on the spice aisle and not the salad dressing seasoning packet. 3). The 1/2 cup of sauce will come from the 28-ounce can used for the sauce. The sauce will use the other 24-ounces of tomato sauce.

Nutrition