How to make UNSTUFFED CABBAGE ROLLS/Deconstructed Cabbage Rolls

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground pork

Ground turkey is leaner, while ground pork is often less expensive.

rice

🥗Healthier: quinoa

💰Cheaper: bulgur

Quinoa is higher in protein, while bulgur is usually cheaper.

beef broth

🥗Healthier: vegetable broth

💰Cheaper: water with seasoning

Vegetable broth is lower in calories, and water with seasoning is cost-effective.

tomato sauce

🥗Healthier: homemade tomato puree

💰Cheaper: canned tomatoes

Homemade puree can reduce preservatives, while canned tomatoes are often cheaper.

Chop the small cabbage roughly and set aside.

Heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil in a pot over medium heat.

Add 1 large chopped onion to the pot and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.

Add 2 pounds of lean ground beef to the pot and brown it for about 5 minutes.

Season with 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, and 0.5 teaspoon paprika while browning the beef.

Add 2 cloves of minced garlic and 1 can of crushed tomatoes to the pot.

Pour some water into the pot to ensure there is enough liquid for the rice to cook, then mix well.

Add about three-quarters of the chopped cabbage to the pot and stir.

Cover the pot and let it simmer on low for about 10 minutes until the cabbage wilts down.

After 10 minutes, add 1 cup of uncooked white rice and about 1.5 cups of water to the pot, stirring to combine.

Cover the pot again and simmer for an additional 15 minutes, checking occasionally to add more water if needed.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: