Unstuffed cabbage rolls, similar to traditional cabbage rolls but much easier to make and faster to cook. This single serving cabbage roll recipe is made with a few simple ingredients in one pan and is served over rice.

This unstuffed cabbage rolls recipe was created with fond memories of my husband's grandmother, Mary who first introduced me to her amazing polish cabbage rolls she called Golabki.
Cabbage rolls are often referred to as golabki or galumpki and are popular in many parts of Central and Eastern Europe as well as other places around the world.
A cabbage roll is made by stuffing cooked cabbage leaves with generously spiced fillings often made with beef or pork and rice. The rolls are covered in a tomato-based sauce and baked in the oven.
Unstuffed cabbage rolls are made with many of the same ingredients you will find in cabbage rolls but they take half the time to make. Sliced cabbage cooks along with the other ingredients in one skillet and is served over rice.
Why This Recipe Works
It almost goes without saying just how loved cabbage rolls are in our family. It's a dish my husband, his siblings, and his parents have enjoyed for many years. I was fortunate to have learned how to make cabbage rolls many years ago using Mary's recipe. Her golabki were absolutely delicious but incredibly labor-intensive.
She used a whole cabbage, ground pork and beef, rice, and plenty of spices in her recipe. It took quite a long time to prepare the filling and bake the cabbage rolls but it was definitely a wonderful meal and it was a dish I always wanted to convert into a single serving recipe.
Here at One Dish Kitchen, I recreate recipes with the goal of them being very similar to favorite dishes we remember. Sometimes, it just doesn't make sense to recreate a recipe that calls for an extensive ingredient list and one that will leave you with plenty of leftover ingredients.
My goal is always simplicity without sacrificing taste and I aim for minimal waste. This unstuffed cabbage rolls recipe is my version of the cabbage rolls my husband and I remember from his grandmother. It's made with fewer ingredients, much easier and quicker to make and the flavors are totally reminiscent of the ones we remember.
See how to freeze leftover cabbage and how to roast cabbage below.
Ingredient Notes
See below for ways to use leftover ingredients.
- Olive oil: I use extra virgin olive oil in this cabbage roll recipe as well as in every other recipe on One Dish Kitchen that calls for olive oil. Extra virgin olive oil is the least processed form of olive oil. It is an unrefined oil and the highest-quality olive oil you can buy. Because of the way extra virgin olive oil is made, it retains more true olive taste. It also contains more of the vitamins and minerals found in olives. It's my favorite type of olive oil to use but you may use a lighter olive oil instead.
- Lean ground pork: You may use ground beef instead.
- Chopped onions, garlic, and tomato: These ingredients cook together and add tremendous flavor to the pork.
- Salt and black pepper: For flavor. Feel free to add a little more or use a little less based on your preference.
- Cabbage: Use about 1 cup (3-ounces) of chopped cabbage. See below for ways to use any leftover cabbage you might have.
- Marinara sauce: Use you favorite jarred brand or make and use a small batch of tomato sauce instead.
- Water: To thin the sauce.
- Apple cider vinegar and honey: Provides the perfect balance of tart and sweet.
How To Make This Recipe
See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
Step 1: Cook the pork, onions, garlic, and chopped tomatoes in a medium-sized skillet until the pork is browned and the onions are soft. Season with salt and pepper.
Step 2: Add chopped cabbage to the pan and stir in the sauce, water, and vinegar. Bring to a boil, then reduce to low, cover and simmer for 5-7 minutes, until cabbage has softened.
Step 3: Stir in honey and serve over cooked rice.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Instead of honey, you could use agave nectar or brown sugar, or you could leave out the sweetener altogether. I find the honey balances out the acidity in the sauce. It's a matter of personal preference.
Follow these helpful steps for cutting cabbage to use in this and many other recipes.
* Rinse the head of cabbage by placing it under cool running water and remove any dirt by gently scrubbing the cabbage with your fingertips or a kitchen brush. Remove the tough outer layers and discard them.
* With a large, sharp knife slice off the stem (or root) of the cabbage.
* Slice the cabbage in half through the stem.
* Place each cabbage half cut-side down on a cutting board and cut in half again. Now you will have four pieces of cabbage.
* Remove the root from each piece of cabbage by cutting it out at a slight angle.
* Slice the cabbage.
If you would like to make this a low-carb cabbage recipe, do not serve with rice and leave out the honey.
Expert Tips
- I use one chopped Roma tomato in this cabbage rolls recipe. You could also 4-5 grape tomatoes instead.
- You can use either white rice or brown rice in this recipe.
- Use jarred Marinara sauce or make your own tomato sauce.
- Serve with rice pilaf instead of plain rice or mashed potatoes.
What To Do With Leftover Cabbage
This unstuffed cabbage rolls recipe calls for using 3 ounces or about 1 cup of chopped cabbage. Consider slicing the rest of the cabbage into wedges and roasting them. You may also freeze cabbage to use later.
How To Roast Cabbage:
- Place the cabbage wedges down on a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle olive oil over each of the slices of cabbage and top with a pinch of salt and a pinch of black pepper.
- Place in a preheated 425 degree F (220 degree C) oven and bake 15 minutes; flip the cabbage over and continue to cook until the cabbage is crisp and the tops are browned, 12-15 minutes more.
How To Freeze Cabbage:
- Rinse the cabbage and slice into thick wedges.
- Fill a large pot with water and heat over high heat. When the water is boiling, carefully add the cabbage to the pot. Blanch the cabbage for 3 minutes.
- Remove the cabbage from the boiling water and immediately place in a bowl of ice water. This will stop the cooking process. Once the cabbage has cooled, remove it from the water and shake off the excess water. Place the cabbage on a cookie sheet and flash freeze. Once frozen, transfer the cabbage to freezer bags and return to the freezer.
- When you are ready to use the frozen cabbage, remove the amount you need from the freezer and allow to thaw in the refrigerator. Use as desired.
Frozen cabbage should be used within 12 months.
Ways To Use The Remaining Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this unstuffed cabbage rolls recipe, you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
- Pork: Pork Stir Fry, Swedish Meatballs, Zuppa Toscana, Biscuit with Gravy
- Onions: Nachos, Hush Puppies, Taco Soup, Mini Turkey Meatloaf
- Garlic: Shepherd's Pie, Lemon Garlic Chicken, Broiled Tomatoes, Baked Stuffed Fish
- Tomatoes: Fresh Tomato Salad, Caprese Salad, Bruschetta, Cioppino
- Marinara sauce: Chicken Parmesan Tenders, Slow Cooker Italian Chicken, Spinach Manicotti
- Apple cider vinegar: Pickled Onions, Ranch Dressing, Eggs Benedict, Baked Beans
- Honey: Peanut Butter Balls, Roasted Carrots, French Bread, Baked Oatmeal
- Rice: Fried Rice, Rice Pilaf, Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice, Jambalaya
Serving Suggestions
You might like to consider serving any of these single serving or small batch recipes with your unstuffed cabbage rolls:
For this unstuffed cabbage rolls recipe, I use a 10-inch skillet. For best results, use a pan of similar size. If you would like additional information on the dishes I use in our “recipes for one”, please visit our FAQ page.
For examples of the dishes we use, please visit our Store page.
If you’ve tried this 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.
If you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see it!
Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls For One
See the post above for expert tips,
FAQs and ways to use leftover ingredients.
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 use 4-5 grape tomatoes sliced in half
- 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
- Heat oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium high heat. Add the pork, onions, garlic, chopped tomatoes, salt and pepper to the pan and cook until the pork is browned and the onions are soft, 5 minutes.
- Add the cabbage to the pan and stir in the sauce, water, and vinegar. Bring to a boil, then reduce to low, cover and simmer for 5-7 minutes, until cabbage has softened.
- Stir in honey and serve over cooked rice.
Notes
- I use one chopped Roma tomato in this cabbage rolls recipe. You could also 4-5 grape tomatoes instead.
- You can use either white rice or brown rice in this recipe.
- Use jarred Marinara sauce or make your own tomato sauce.
- Serve with rice pilaf instead of plain rice or mashed potatoes.
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.
Ben says
Hi Joanie, I just wanted to say that I really like this recipe and have made it several times. I had never really eaten cabbage before, but thanks to your recipe, I have discovered that I actually enjoy it - which is convenient, considering it's cheap, widely available and nutritious. Sometimes I even find myself snacking on the raw leaves as I'm preparing it.
I've also made your roasted cabbage recipe a couple of times, and I enjoy it as well, and I intend to try the colcannon soon. I would also like to try making cabbage soup sometime, so I would love to see a good small-batch recipe for that if you've got one!
Joanie Zisk says
Thank you, Ben! We've added a cabbage soup to our list of recipes to possibly work on this year - great suggestion!
Jessica says
Thank you for this recipe which reminds me of the dishes my mother made! So easy and flavorful - I used "no sugar added" marinara sauce and half the suggested amount of honey which added just a touch of sweetness. Delicious!
Tina Marion says
I lived in Germany for years and fell in love with cabbage rolls. As a single senior citizen I struggle with one dish dinners. Then I found you!
This recipe is so good that I've made it twice in two weeks! Because I like everything a little spicy I add a version of hot shake spice for that touch of heat. Other than that I follow your recipe to the T. The ease is astounding! Then I eat and relish every delectable bite. Thank you for scaling down these recipes and saving me from lots of scraps and reducing my grocery bill.
Joanie Zisk says
Thank you for your feedback. I'm so glad you love the recipe.
Polly G. says
I make this and use a whole can of diced tomatoes and was much water or broth as needed to make a soup.
Lori says
This was easy and so tasty! Even better than I expected. Definitely a repeater! Thank you!
Joanie Zisk says
I'm so glad you enjoyed the cabbage rolls. Thank you so much for your feedback.
VickieHarper says
I love your recipes How do i get your cookbook Thank you
Joanie Zisk says
Thank you so much! The book can be ordered from Amazon and is also available in many bookstores. https://onedishkitchen.com/ultimate-cooking-for-one-book-order-page/
Jolene Walters says
This looks terrific. I have a recipe for unstuffed cabbage that serves close to a dozen people. It is a night before recipe. I start it the night before and finish it the nest day.It calls for meatballs and rice to be cooked with the cabbage the next day.I take it to church pot lucks. However, at home, this would be a problem. I can't wait to try your dish.
Jolene Walters
Tony Ladd says
Hi Joanie
i am a Aussie newbie to the "One Dish Kitchen" community and just love how quick, easy and delicious your recipes are. And i especially love this recipe as it brings back memories of my mothers Gołąbki which i loved as a kid. And is quick and easy compared to the traditional Polish way.
i look forward to trying all your recipes.
5 Stars
Joanie Zisk says
Hi Tony,
I'm so glad you enjoyed the recipe. Thank you for taking the time to let me know.
Marlene says
Is it possible to use canned tomatoes or tomato sauce?
Joanie Zisk says
Absolutely, Marlene. Either or both will work great. I would suggest using 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup of canned tomatoes with their juices.
Enjoy!
Joanie
RevW says
Good, except too sweet ( did not add honey). That must be the marinara sauce??? This is so much faster than the 45 minute cabbage roll recipe that came with the microwave!
Joanie Zisk says
I'm glad you enjoyed the cabbage rolls, thanks so much for your feedback!