Unstuffed Cabbage

[VickiLynn]

I make this instead of stuffed cabbage rolls because it less fussy to make.

2 teaspoons olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
1 green bell pepper, seeded and finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 pound extra lean ground sirloin
2 (14 1/2 oz) cans diced tomatoes with mild green chilies
2 (8 oz.) cans tomato sauce
1/2 cup cooked rice (optional)
1 small head cabbage, shredded

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9 x 13-inch pan with nonstick spray (Pam).

Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat.  Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic; cook stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes.  Add the beef and cook, breaking up with a wooden spoon until liquid evaporates and the beef begins to brown, about 6 minutes.  Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and rice; bring to a boil. Remove from heat.

Spoon half the meat mixture in an even layer on the bottom of the baking dish. Top with all of the cabbage then top this with the last of the meat mixture.  Cover with foil and bake until filling is hot and bubbly and the cabbage is very tender, about 1 1/4 hours.

[Mary J]

Ohhh this sounds good, I think I will substitute raw califlour for the rice...

[wendysgoodnews]

Thanks for the recipe.  I just made the cabbage rolls and they are alot of work so this will be perfect next time.

[MsHeirloom]

The last time I made cabbage rolls, I substituted cooked lentils for the rice.  Very good!  Pam

[Mary J]

Great idea MsHeirloom! I will do this instead of the califlour!  Sounds perfect!

Mary J

[Mary J]

I made this recipe today, and it was really good..... Hubby loved it!  I will be making this again.....

Mary J

[VickiLynn]

Mary,

So happy you liked my recipe -- it is one of my favorites!  Did you use the lentils like Pam suggested?  If so, can you taste the beans?  I always use the rice because there isn't much in the recipe for the hugh amount it makes but I think it would taste just as good without the rice or lentils.

[Mary J]

Yes, I did use lentils... I only used 1/2 of a cup, next time I think I will add even more,,, it was really good,, my hubby told me,,, do not change a thing on this recipe, LOL  he loved it!  It even had a little kick to it without adding any spices,, guess it was from the mild green chiles in the tomatoes... we are having the leftovers today.... can't wait!  Thanks for sharing this great recipe!

Mary J