Slow Cooker Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Casserole

Cozy, Hearty & Easy One-Pot Comfort Food

If you love traditional cabbage rolls but don’t love the time it takes to stuff and roll individual cabbage leaves, this slow cooker version is the answer. Slow Cooker Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Casserole combines tender cabbage, seasoned ground beef, onions, tomatoes, and rice in one comforting dish.

As everything slowly cooks together, the cabbage becomes wonderfully tender while the beef and tomato sauce create a rich, savory flavor. It’s an easy meal for busy weeknights and tastes even better the next day.

🛒 Ingredients

• 1½ pounds ground beef
• 1 small head green cabbage, chopped
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1½ cups beef broth
• ¾ cup uncooked long-grain white rice
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar, optional
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Brown the beef

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and diced onion. Cook for about 6–8 minutes, breaking the beef apart as it cooks, until browned and the onion is softened.

Drain excess grease if necessary. Stir in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.

2. Layer the slow cooker

Place about half of the chopped cabbage into the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.

Add half of the browned beef mixture, followed by half of the diced tomatoes.

Repeat with the remaining cabbage, beef, and tomatoes.

3. Add the sauce

In a bowl, whisk together the tomato sauce, tomato paste, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and optional brown sugar.

Pour the mixture evenly over everything in the slow cooker.

4. Add the rice

Sprinkle the uncooked rice evenly over the top. Gently press the ingredients down with a spoon so the rice is surrounded by liquid.

5. Slow cook

Cover and cook on LOW for 5–6 hours, or until the cabbage is tender, the rice is cooked, and the beef mixture is bubbling throughout.

Avoid repeatedly opening the lid during cooking because this allows heat and moisture to escape.

6. Stir and rest

Once cooked, gently stir everything together. Turn off the slow cooker and let the casserole rest for about 10 minutes before serving.

Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.

🧀 Optional Cheesy Finish

For an extra comforting version, sprinkle 1 to 1½ cups shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese over the casserole during the final 15–20 minutes of cooking. Cover again and let the cheese melt.

💡 Helpful Tips

Squeeze in extra vegetables: Add shredded carrots, diced bell peppers, or chopped celery for more texture and flavor.

Use ground turkey: Ground turkey works beautifully if you prefer a lighter protein.

Watch the rice: Rice absorbs a lot of liquid. If your slow cooker runs hot or you use a different type of rice, cooking time and liquid requirements may vary.

For more tomato flavor: Add an extra tablespoon of tomato paste or a splash of crushed tomatoes.

Make it ahead: The casserole reheats very well, making it a great meal-prep option.

🍽️ What to Serve With It

This casserole is filling enough to serve on its own, but it pairs nicely with a simple green salad, steamed vegetables, roasted broccoli, or cucumber salad.

A spoonful of sour cream or Greek yogurt on top adds a cool, creamy contrast to the rich tomato sauce.

🥘 Storage

Allow leftovers to cool before transferring them to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3–4 days.

To reheat, warm individual portions in the microwave or gently reheat on the stovetop. Add a splash of broth or water if the casserole becomes too thick.

❤️ Why You’ll Love It

• No cabbage leaves to roll
• Simple pantry-friendly ingredients
• Made mostly in one pot
• Tender, flavorful cabbage
• Hearty ground beef and rice
• Great for leftovers
• Perfect comfort food for busy nights

Servings: 6–8
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 5–6 hours on LOW
Total Time: About 5½–6½ hours