Amish Unstuffed Cabbage
There’s something about old-fashioned farmhouse cooking that feels like a warm quilt wrapped around your shoulders on a chilly evening. The kind of meal that doesn’t need fancy ingredients or complicated techniques—just simple, honest food simmering slowly while the day goes on. This Amish-style unstuffed cabbage reminds me of those slow afternoons when dinner quietly cooks in the background, filling the house with rich tomato and savory beef aromas.
Growing up, cabbage was one of those humble ingredients that always seemed to stretch a meal a little further. It was affordable, hearty, and could feed a crowd without much fuss. Traditional stuffed cabbage rolls were a special treat—carefully rolled bundles baked in tomato sauce—but they took time. And let’s be honest, some days we want the flavor without all the rolling and layering.
That’s exactly why this unstuffed version is such a treasure. It keeps all the comforting flavors of classic cabbage rolls—tender cabbage, seasoned beef, rice, and tomatoes—but turns them into a simple “dump and cook” slow cooker meal. No boiling cabbage leaves. No delicate rolling. Just wholesome ingredients layered together and left to simmer low and slow until perfectly tender.
It’s the kind of meal you can start in the morning before work and come home to a kitchen that smells like you’ve been cooking all day. It’s cozy. It’s filling. And it brings everyone to the table without a single complaint.
Simple food. Simple ingredients. Big comfort.
Why You’ll Love This Amish Unstuffed Cabbage Recipe
✔ Only 5 simple ingredients
✔ Budget-friendly meal
✔ Easy slow cooker dinner
✔ Family-approved comfort food
✔ Great for leftovers and freezer meals
🛒 Ingredients (5 Simple Ingredients)
1½ lbs ground beef
1 medium head green cabbage, chopped
1 small onion, diced
1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
1 cup uncooked white rice
(Optional: salt & pepper to taste)
👩🍳 Instructions
Brown the Beef
In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with the diced onion until the beef is fully browned. Drain excess grease.Layer in Slow Cooker
Add chopped cabbage to the bottom of the slow cooker.
Top with the browned beef and onion mixture.
Sprinkle the uncooked rice evenly over the top.
Add Tomatoes
Pour the crushed tomatoes over everything. Do not stir yet.Cook
Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until cabbage is tender and rice is fully cooked.Stir & Serve
Stir everything together before serving. Add salt and pepper if needed.
📝 Recipe Notes
Rice Tip: If your rice isn’t fully tender, stir in ¼–½ cup hot water, cover, and cook on HIGH for another 20–30 minutes.
Make It Saucy: Add an extra ½ cup tomato sauce if you prefer a looser, more stew-like texture.
Freezer Friendly: Let cool completely, then store in airtight containers for up to 3 months.
Flavor Boost: A pinch of garlic powder or paprika adds extra depth without changing the simplicity.
Leftovers: This dish thickens as it sits and tastes even better the next day!
