Sometimes I want cabbage rolls, but I don't want to do all the work associated with actually making cabbage rolls. Who am I kidding? Not sometimes; that actually happens all the time! In light of this dilemma, I have created the ultimate laziest and easiest way to get my cabbage roll fix! These Lazy Slow Cooker Cabbage Rolls require much less effort and are also ww friendly.

Lazy man's cabbage rolls in the slow cooker is a great recipe for busy weeknights! And it's popular all year round. This recipe also inspired my Lazy Pierogi Casserole. These Lazy Slow Cooker Cabbage Rolls taste exactly like regular meat and rice cabbage rolls, but are so much quicker and easier to make!
🍒Reader Review
"Great flavor! Love it!" ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Jump to:
- 🍒Reader Review
- 🥘 Ingredient Notes
- 📖 Variations & Substitutions
- 🔪How to Make Lazy Man Cabbage Rolls in the Slow Cooker
- Expert Recipe Tips
- 🥗 What to serve with Slow Cooker Lazy Cabbage Rolls
- 🌡️ Storing
- 👪 Serving Size
- 🔢WW Points
- ❔ Recipe FAQ's
- 🥟More Healthy & Weight Watchers Friendly Ukrainian Food!
- 📋 Lazy Slow Cooker Cabbage Rolls Recipe
If you love slow cooker Ukrainian food, be sure to check out my Ukrainian Daughter’s Crock Pot Casserole. It's like eating a big Ukrainian meal cooked in one pot!
Otherwise known as unstuffed cabbage rolls in a crock pot, these Ukrainian lazy cabbage rolls are so easy to make, yet taste just as delicious as the original cabbage roll. They are also perfect in the summer when you don't want to heat up your house!
🥘 Ingredient Notes
And these cabbage rolls ain't your Baba's traditional cabbage rolls either! They are not the traditional rice cabbage rolls, covered in tomato sauce. And neither is this a typical lazy cabbage roll casserole- it's hearty and meaty!
I grew up with what we deemed "Scottish Cabbage Rolls " with meat, rice, and mushrooms stuffed inside, then covered in tomato soup sauce. They are the best kind of cabbage roll, as far as I'm concerned. And now I've turned them into an easy slow cooker casserole!
For this slow cooker cabbage roll casserole, you'll need:
- Extra lean ground beef. If you use any other kind of ground beef, it will be too greasy!
- Instant rice. You can use white or brown rice, depending on your preference.
- Canned mushrooms. I use canned mushrooms because I always have them on hand, and they are economical.
- Ketchup. My Mom always used ketchup, so I do too.
- Condensed tomato soup. I use condensed tomato soup because it has more flavor than tomato sauce, it's convenient, economical, and I always have it on hand. This is something my Mom also always used.
*see recipe card for full list of ingredients and quantities
📖 Variations & Substitutions
- Mushrooms - I use canned, but you can use fresh instead..
- Rice - You can use regular rice, but it needs to be pre-cooked before adding it to the slow cooker. Be sure to cook it until tender beforehand—uncooked long-grain rice may not soften properly in the slow cooker and could throw off the moisture balance.
- Cabbage -You can substitute about 6–8 cups of bagged shredded cabbage. Keep in mind that it won’t have the same bite as freshly chopped cabbage, but it works great in a pinch.
- Ground beef - I use extra lean ground beef, but you could use lean or regular (if you're not worried about extra WW points) or ground turkey to further reduce WW points
It took a couple of tries to get the time and ingredients right, but this lazy slow cooker cabbage roll recipe is exactly like my family's Scottish cabbage roll recipe, minus all the cooking and peeling cabbage off the cabbage core, stuffing, and rolling involved!
🔪How to Make Lazy Man Cabbage Rolls in the Slow Cooker
Preparation:
Step 1: Brown ground beef with chopped onion in a large skillet over medium heat on the stovetop. Add mushrooms when the ground beef is nearly done. Cook until the meat is browned and the onions and mushrooms are soft. Drain.
Step 2: Cook rice per package directions.

Step 3: Mix the ground beef mixture, cooked rice, and ketchup together in a large mixing bowl

Step 4: Remove the core from the cabbage and chop the cabbage leaves into bite-sized pieces. Spray the slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray and add ½ of the cabbage to the bottom of the crock-pot

Step 5: Then add ½ the rice with the cooked ground beef mixture. Then 1 can of tomato soup on top of it.

Step 6: Add the remaining layer of chopped cabbage, then the remaining rice and meat mixture, then 2 cans of tomato soup on top.
Expert Recipe Tips
- 🥬 Use Savoy or Napa Cabbage for a Softer Texture .If you prefer a more tender bite, try using Savoy or Napa cabbage instead of regular green cabbage. They're softer and break down faster during slow cooking..
- 🔪 Prep the Night Before. Chop the cabbage and cook the beef/onion/mushroom mixture ahead of time. Store separately in the fridge and assemble in the morning to just turn on and go
- 🍚 Use Leftover Rice. This recipe is perfect for using up leftover rice. Just be sure it’s not overly dry or it could soak up too much moisture—mix it with a little broth or water before adding if needed.
- 🥄 Customize Sauce Consistency. If you like your cabbage rolls saucier, feel free to add an extra half-can of tomato soup or a splash of broth. For a thicker consistency, reduce the total soup slightly or stir in a tablespoon of tomato paste.
- 🧊 Freeze in Individual Portions. Freeze leftovers in individual containers for easy grab-and-go lunches or single servings. This dish reheats beautifully and maintains its flavor.
- 🌿 Add Fresh Herbs at the End. A sprinkle of fresh dill, parsley, or thyme right before serving adds brightness and boosts the homemade flavor.
- 🔄 Swap with Cauliflower Rice for WW. Using cauliflower rice not only cuts down on WW points but also reduces carbs and adds a subtle veggie boost. Stir it in after cooking if you prefer a firmer texture.
- 🥩 Use a Lean Meat Mix for More Flavor. A combo of extra lean ground beef and a bit of ground pork or turkey can offer more flavor while keeping things relatively light. Just be mindful of WW points if that matters.
You can also make the traditional rolled Ukrainian Cabbage Roll recipe in a slow cooker, but you'll want to budget lots of time for preparation. I think I'll be doing it this way from here on in.~This Lazy Cabbage Roll Recipe is a game changer!~

Homemade cabbage rolls are a holiday tradition for my family, as well as pure comfort food! Although I always want them, I often don't make them because of a lack of time, energy, etc...
When you are already making a huge meal that takes hours to prepare, adding cabbage rolls to the menu feels a little daunting. This Lazy Man Cabbage Rolls with tomato soup in a slow cooker recipe is like eating regular cabbage rolls, but in casserole form, without all the work.
🥗 What to serve with Slow Cooker Lazy Cabbage Rolls
These deconstructed cabbage rolls are the easy way to get your cabbage roll fix, and something I actually feel that I could pull off when making a holiday dinner, along with everything else I am making.
This Lazy Cabbage Rolls recipe doesn't require all the extra work of stuffing and rolling time the regular cabbage rolls do, and they can cook right alongside a holiday dinner in your slow cooker, without taking up valuable real estate on the stove or in your oven!
These slow cooker unstuffed cabbage rolls are also great not only as a side dish but as a main dish too, served with vegetables or Ukrainian style, with kubassa!

I also like to serve this easy meal with my Ukrainian Shortcut Borscht Soup, my Lazy Pierogi Casserole, and this Quick Cucumber Kimchi, canned beets, or a side salad.
🌡️ Storing
- They can be made ahead and stored for up to 4 days in the fridge in a sealed airtight container
- They can be frozen and stored in a sealed airtight container for up to 3 months.
👪 Serving Size
1 serving is 1/12 of the recipe, which is about 1 cup.
🔢WW Points
These Crock Pot unstuffed cabbage rolls are Weight Watchers friendly at 7 ww points. However, if you really want to bring down the points, use cauliflower rice instead of regular rice. That substitution will bring the points down to 5 points.
❔ Recipe FAQ's
You can, but it’s best cooked on low for 8–9 hours to let the cabbage properly soften and for flavors to develop. If you must speed it up, cook on high for 4–5 hours, but check for tenderness before serving.
Nope! Just layer everything in as directed and let the slow cooker do its thing. Stirring isn’t necessary and can actually disrupt the layers and texture.
Absolutely. You can assemble everything in your slow cooker insert (minus turning it on), cover, and refrigerate overnight. Just let it sit at room temperature for 20–30 minutes before starting to cook to prevent cracking your insert if it’s ceramic.
Yes! For stovetop, layer in a Dutch oven and simmer covered on low for 45–60 minutes until the cabbage is tender. For oven, bake covered at 350°F for 1.5 to 2 hours, checking occasionally for moisture.
If you love slow cooker cabbage rolls without tomato sauce (but with tomato soup instead), you'll love this recipe!
If you're looking for hearty Lazy Slow Cooker Cabbage Rolls, an easy recipe that you can serve as a meal or a side dish that the whole family will love, you're going to love this slow cooker casserole!
🥟More Healthy & Weight Watchers Friendly Ukrainian Food!
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📋 Lazy Slow Cooker Cabbage Rolls Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb extra lean ground beef cooked
- 4 cups of brown rice (cooked) * I use brown minute rice
- 1 medium onion diced chopped
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms can substitute canned mushrooms
- 1 ½ cups ketchup add additional to taste
- 1 large head of cabbage *chopped
- 3 -10 oz -cans condensed tomato soup *gluten-free
Garnish (optional)
- light or non -fat sour cream
- fresh dill or dried dill weed
Instructions
- Brown ground beef with chopped onion in a large skillet, over medium heat, on stove top. Add mushrooms when ground beef is nearly done. Cook until meat is browned and onions and mushrooms are soft. Drain.1 lb extra lean ground beef, 4 cups of brown rice (cooked), 1 medium onion diced, 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- Cook rice per package directions.
- Mix ground beef mixture, rice and ketchup together in a large mixing bowl.1 ½ cups ketchup
- Remove core from cabbage and chop cabbage leaves into bit sized pieces1 large head of cabbage
- Spray slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray and add ½ of the cabbage to the bottom of the crock-pot.
- Then add ½ the rice with meat mixture, then 1 can of tomato soup on top of it.3 -10 oz -cans condensed tomato soup
- Add the remaining layer of cabbage, then remaining rice and meat mixture, then 2 cans of tomato soup on top.
- Cook for 8-9 hours on low, until cabbage is tender and a fork can easily go through it (may need a little longer)
Garnish
- Garnish with light or non-fat sour cream and fresh dill, if desired. Serve in a casserole dish or any type of serving dish you prefer.light or non -fat sour cream, fresh dill or dried dill weed
Notes
-
- 🥬 Use Savoy or Napa Cabbage for a Softer Texture .If you prefer a more tender bite, try using Savoy or Napa cabbage instead of regular green cabbage. They're softer and break down faster during slow cooking..
-
- 🔪 Prep the Night Before. Chop the cabbage and cook the beef/onion/mushroom mixture ahead of time. Store separately in the fridge and assemble in the morning to just turn on and go
-
- 🍚 Use Leftover Rice. This recipe is perfect for using up leftover rice. Just be sure it’s not overly dry or it could soak up too much moisture—mix it with a little broth or water before adding if needed.
-
- 🥄 Customize Sauce Consistency. If you like your cabbage rolls saucier, feel free to add an extra half-can of tomato soup or a splash of broth. For a thicker consistency, reduce the total soup slightly or stir in a tablespoon of tomato paste.
-
- 🧊 Freeze in Individual Portions. Freeze leftovers in individual containers for easy grab-and-go lunches or single servings. This dish reheats beautifully and maintains its flavor.
-
- 🌿 Add Fresh Herbs at the End. A sprinkle of fresh dill, parsley, or thyme right before serving adds brightness and boosts the homemade flavor.
-
- 🔄 Swap with Cauliflower Rice for WW. Using cauliflower rice not only cuts down on WW points but also reduces carbs and adds a subtle veggie boost. Stir it in after cooking if you prefer a firmer texture.
-
- 🥩 Use a Lean Meat Mix for More Flavor. A combo of extra lean ground beef and a bit of ground pork or turkey can offer more flavor while keeping things relatively light. Just be mindful of WW points if that matters.
- They can be made ahead and stored for up to 4 days in the fridge in a sealed airtight container
- They can be frozen and stored in a sealed airtight container for up to 3 months.
Carol
Great flavor! Love it. If serving size is 1/12 of recipe, how much is that? 1 cup or more? I am on the WW blue plan
Terri Gilson
Hi Carol,
6 quarts is 24 cups, so it's divided by 12, it's actually 2 cups!
Enjoy!
Terri
Sean
This is such a cool idea! And since I've got not one, but two whole heads of cabbage in the fridge from my CSA, I'm looking for fun cabbage recipe ideas. Like you, I love a good cabbage roll, but they're a lot of work. I love the idea of something that tastes just as good, but can be made on a weekday! Cheers!
Terri Gilson
Thanks, Sean! That’s great that you have so much cabbage- hope you enjoy it!
Colleen
I'm in love with this idea! We adore cabbage rolls, but yes, it's so daunting sometimes to make them. I'm super excited to make this recipe! Thank you.
Terri Gilson
Thanks, Colleen! I hope you enjoy them!🙂
Kristen
I don’t have a slow cooker but I will totally make these on the oven. I love cabbage rolls and make my grandmas recipe but they are a lot of work, so for the days when I’m craving them but don’t have that kind of time - this is what I’ll be doing!
Terri Gilson
You can absolutely do them in the oven!
Bernice Hill
YUM!! How did you know I've been craving cabbage rolls? Seriously though, it is high time I make this dish. My grandma made something very similar with the fermented cabbage from the store. It's such a treat and I like that I can have it in the summer with this slow cooker version!
Terri Gilson
Ha ha somehow I knew, Bernice! Yes, I also love that I can eat these in the summer without heating up the house too!
Terri Gilson
Ha ha somehow I knew, Bernice! Yes, I also love that I can eat these in the summer without heating up the house too!
Gayle
This looks great and easy. Trying it tonight
Terri Gilson
Hope you enjoy it, Gayle!!
Barbara Langford
Hi Terri. Not quite my mom's recipe. My mom called her recipe Goulash.
Tasted exactly like Baba's cabbage rolls. 6pp on Weight Watchers.