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Lazy Cabbage Rolls

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Enjoy all the comforting flavors of traditional cabbage rolls without the extra work! These Lazy Cabbage Rolls combine ground meat, rice, and cabbage in a one-pan, oven-baked dish, smothered in a rich tomato-based sauce. Perfect for a hearty weeknight meal or meal prep, this recipe is easy, filling, and family-approved!

Ingredients

For the Lazy Cabbage Rolls:

  • 4 cups cooked white rice (from 1½ cups uncooked), cooled
  • ½ medium cabbage, sliced into ¼-inch strips (~7 cups)
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 lb ground turkey
  • 1 large onion, divided (½ grated, ½ finely diced)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp salt-free all-purpose seasoning (e.g., Mrs. Dash)
  • 2 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 2 tbsp finely chopped parsley or dill

For the Sauce:

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 large carrot, julienned or grated
  • 2 cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
  • 3 cups hot water
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp salt-free all-purpose seasoning

Instructions

Prepare the Cabbage:

  1. Slice cabbage into ¼-inch thin strips.
  2. Place cabbage in a heatproof bowl, cover with boiling water, and let sit for 10 minutes to soften.
  3. Drain and squeeze out excess water with your hands.

Make the Meat Mixture:

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, ground turkey, drained cabbage, and cooked rice.
  2. Grate ½ of the onion into the mixture.
  3. Add eggs, seasoning, salt, pepper, and chopped parsley or dill.
  4. Mix thoroughly until well combined.
  5. Shape into oval-shaped patties (~½ cup of mixture per patty).
  6. Arrange patties in a greased 9×13-inch casserole dish.

Prepare the Sauce:

  1. Finely dice the remaining ½ onion.
  2. In a large pot over medium-high heat, heat olive oil and butter.
  3. Sauté diced onion for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  4. Add julienned carrot and cook for 3 more minutes.
  5. Stir in marinara sauce and hot water, bringing to a boil.
  6. Season with salt and all-purpose seasoning.

Combine and Bake:

  1. Pour the sauce over the patties until they are nearly covered.
  2. Cover with foil and bake at 425°F (218°C) for 40 minutes.

Serve:

  1. Plate the lazy cabbage rolls, spoon additional sauce over the top, and serve with sour cream or Greek yogurt, if desired.

Notes

  • Vegetarian Option – Replace meat with lentils and mushrooms.
  • Spicy Kick – Add red pepper flakes or jalapeños to the meat mixture.
  • Low-Carb Version – Swap rice for cauliflower rice.
  • Alternative Grains – Use quinoa or bulgur instead of white rice.

Find it online: https://chocolatecoveredamy.com/lazy-cabbage-rolls/