Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls with Brown Rice

Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls with Brown Rice 

Try this lower calorie easy version of stuffed cabbage rolls. By omitting the sausage and ground beef, you are significantly reducing the fat and cholesterol in the recipe and making it heart healthy. It's great for those wanting to eat cleaner, lose a few pounds and put healthier food on the table. Plus, who doesn't love an easy recipe! I know I do! And your whole family will love it! This would be considered eating clean because you are eating whole foods. It makes a lot too, so it's easy to make and you can enjoy it for days.

Ingredients:
1 pkg ground turkey
1 tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, diced
2 stalks celery, chopped
2-3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 small-med head of cabbage, chopped
1 large can of diced tomatoes (we like more, so I added another large can)
8 oz of crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce (or 2 large cans small diced tomatoes)
1/2 cup water (the cabbage will create more water as it cooks)
1/2 tsp black pepper
pinch of hot pepper flakes (optional)
1 tsp sea salt
1 tsp thyme

 Brown rice, prepared according to bag

Directions:

In a med to large stock pot, heat oil and saute onions and celery until opaque. Add in turkey and cook until done. Add in garlic for about 2 minutes. Add in remaining ingredients and simmer for one hour. Serve with 1/3-1/2 cup brown rice. Make the rice in a separate pot according to package instructions.

For a paleo friendly version: Omit brown rice.

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PRESSURE COOKER INSTAPOT VERSION:


Modifications for pressure cooker:

Saute meat and onion with tsp salt, pepper and garlic powder (you can leave out the garlic and celery to save time. It will still be good) in pressure cooker. Add in remaining ingredients. Select soup setting on Instapot and allow to naturally release steam. Should take about an hour total (10 min heat up, 20 min cook, 20 min natural release). Serve over brown rice.