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This Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls recipe is a quick and easy version of the classic dish, made with tender cabbage, seasoned pork, and a flavorful sauce. Perfectly portioned for one, it’s a satisfying one-pan meal that’s simple to make and full of comforting flavors.
Serve unstuffed cabbage rolls with a slice ofFrench bread to soak up the flavorful sauce. For a lighter option, enjoy it alongside a fresh green salad with a tangy vinaigrette.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- All the Flavor, None of the Fuss: Get the rich, comforting taste of cabbage rolls without the time-consuming rolling and wrapping.
- One-Pan Meal: Everything cooks in a single pan, making cleanup a breeze.
- Easy to Adapt: Swap ingredients to fit your preferences or dietary needs.
- Perfectly Portioned: Made for one but can be doubled if you want extra.
I’ve always loved the flavors of classic cabbage rolls—the tender cabbage, savory meat, and rich sauce—but let’s be honest, sometimes I don’t have the patience for all that rolling. That’s why this deconstructed version is a favorite. It delivers the same hearty, satisfying taste without the extra steps. Everything comes together in one pan, making it just as easy as it is delicious. And if you want leftovers or need to feed someone else, just double the recipe—problem solved!
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this single serving unstuffed cabbage roll recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil adds rich flavor, but a lighter olive oil can be used if preferred.
- Lean Ground Pork: This recipe uses lean ground pork, but ground beef, turkey, or a plant-based alternative works too. If you have extra, try it in Beer Bread or Biscuit with Sausage Gravy.
- Onion, Garlic, and Tomato: These build the base of the dish, adding depth and richness.
- Salt and Black Pepper: Season to taste.
- Cabbage: You’ll need about 1 cup (3 ounces) of chopped cabbage. Green cabbage is most commonly used, but red cabbage, napa cabbage, or savoy cabbage will also work.
- Marinara Sauce: Use your favorite jarred sauce or make a small batch of homemade tomato sauce.
- Apple Cider Vinegar and Honey: These balance the dish with a touch of sweetness and acidity. White or balsamic vinegar can replace apple cider vinegar, and sugar can be used instead of honey.
Recipe Variations
These deconstructed cabbage rolls are easy to customize—try one of these flavorful variations:
- Spicy Version: Add crushed red pepper flakes for extra heat.
- Asian-Inspired: Swap marinara for a mix of soy sauce, ginger, and sesame oil. Use ground chicken for a different flavor.
- Mediterranean-Style: Use ground lamb and season with cinnamon and cumin for a warm, aromatic twist.
How To Make Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls
These photos and instructions help you visualize how to make this unstuffed cabbage rolls recipe. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Cook the Pork, Onions, and Garlic: In a medium skillet over medium heat, cook the ground pork, onions, garlic, and chopped tomatoes until the pork is browned and the onions are soft. Season with salt and pepper.
- Add the Cabbage and Sauce: Stir in the chopped cabbage, marinara sauce, water, and vinegar. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and let simmer for 5–7 minutes, or until the cabbage is tender.
- Finish and Serve: Stir in the honey, then serve over cooked rice.
Expert Tips
- Prepare the Cabbage: Chop the cabbage into small pieces for even cooking. If you want to save time, pre-shredded cabbage works too.
- Simmer Slowly: Keep the heat low while simmering to let the flavors develop.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste before serving and add more salt and pepper if needed.
How to Freeze Cabbage
If you have leftover cabbage, freezing is a great way to save it for future meals.
- Cut & Blanch: Chop the cabbage into wedges and boil for 3 minutes.
- Cool Quickly: Transfer to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process.
- Dry & Freeze: Pat dry, spread on a baking sheet, and freeze until firm.
- Store: Transfer to freezer bags and keep frozen for up to 3 months.
Frozen cabbage works well in soups, stews, and stir-fries—just thaw and use as needed!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, simply swap the ground pork for a plant-based meat alternative or cooked lentils.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
This is a single serving recipe, but if you double it, you may have leftovers to freeze. We recommend freezing the cabbage roll mixture and rice in separate containers to maintain the best texture.
This recipe makes just the right amount of filling, but if you want extra, simply double the ingredients. Use the extra filling over rice, stuff it into a baked potato, or wrap it in a tortilla for an easy meal. It also works well as a filling for bell peppers.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
If you’ve tried this easy unstuffed cabbage rolls recipe or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
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Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls For One
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- 4 ounces lean ground pork
- ½ cup chopped onions
- 1 clove garlic -chopped
- 1 medium Roma tomato -chopped, or substitute with 4–5 halved grape tomatoes
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
- 1 cup chopped cabbage
- ¼ cup Marinara sauce
- ¼ cup water
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 cup cooked rice
Instructions
- Cook the Pork and Aromatics: Heat the oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pork, onions, garlic, chopped tomatoes, salt, and pepper. Cook for about 5 minutes, until the pork is browned and the onions are soft.
- Add the Cabbage and Sauce: Stir in the cabbage, marinara sauce, water, and vinegar. Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat to simmer. Cover and cook for 5–7 minutes, or until the cabbage is tender.
- Finish and Serve: Stir in the honey and serve the dish over cooked rice.
Notes
- Prepare the Cabbage: Thinly slice the cabbage for faster, even cooking. Pre-shredded cabbage is a great shortcut for convenience.
- Simmer Gently: Keep the heat low to let the flavors meld beautifully.
- Season to Taste: Adjust the seasonings before serving to suit your preferences.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Delicious! I served mine with the oven baked rice found on your site. Delicious!
This recipe is fantastic. It tastes like stuffed cabbage that I remember my mother making. I love stuffed cabbage but live alone now so this recipe is perfect for me. This tastes perfect without having to make a whole batch of stuffed cabbage. Fabulous! Thank you so much!!
I was not sure about this but, as I had a little Cabbage leftover after making some coleslaw. Why not? So yummy. Like comfort food I did not know I needed.
Really, really good! Thank you!