Vegan Lazy Cabbage 'Rolls' with Meatless Meatballs

Cabbage rolls is definitely a too fancy word for this recipe but the taste is too similar so I allow myself to call this recipe like that 😀 It is more like a cabbage soup with meatballs but I didn't want to spend much time making perfect cabbage rolls (and I don't even know how to properly make them) and this recipe fully satisfied my craving for the cabbage rolls. 🤤

Lazy cabbage rolls with vegan meatballs are the perfect comfort food for anyone who loves traditional cabbage rolls but is looking for a more relaxed, time-saving and plant-based version. 🌱

To make this dish, you will have to make vegan meatballs (or you can use some pre-made meatballs that you can buy) and simply boil shredded cabbage leaves, carrots and some other simple seasonings. The end result is a tender, juicy and hearty meal that will keep you warm and satisfied. Serve this dish with a side of creamy mashed or boiled potatoes, or simply have it with bread - these are my favorite sides for this meal. 😍

Not only is this dish delicious, but it's also a great option for those who are following a plant-based diet, or who are looking to cut down on their meat consumption. So, if you're looking for a comfort food that is packed with flavor and is easy to make, look no further than this lazy cabbage rolls with vegan meatballs!

Also, these meatballs are one of my favorite meals for homemade vegan meat substitutes. You can use it in many different ways - eat them alone with some veggies, rice or bread; use them in pasta, soups, stews...
I actually have a super tasty recipe for spaghetti with these meatballs and red pepper sauce.

In this recipe quite a lot of cabbage is used which not only will provide a tasty meal but also give you lots of nutritional benefits. Cooked cabbage is a nutritious food that offers a range of health benefits. It is low in calories, high in fiber, and a good source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C and vitamin K. Cabbage is also rich in antioxidants, which help protect the body from damage caused by free radicals. In addition, it has been linked to improved digestive health, reduced risk of heart disease, cancer prevention, and weight management. Overall, cooked cabbage is a versatile and affordable food that can be easily incorporated into a healthy diet. So this recipe helps you to cook cabbage in a tasty and surely not boring way!

The recipe itself might seem a bit overwhelming at first but most work is dedicated for making the meatballs, so if you already have some pre-cooked, you can skip half of this recipe and go to the part where I already cook the cabbage with veggies and seasonings. 🥕 Although I highly recommend trying out these seitan meatballs. 🤤

You will need:
For 4-5 servings

For the meatballs:

• 100 g. seitan flour
• 30 g. wheat flour
• 15 g. nutritional yeast
• 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon of dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon of onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ¾ tsp chicken seasoning (or salt)
• 200 ml. water

For boiling the meatballs:

• 1 liter of water
• 1 cube of vegetable broth
• ~1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar

For the cabbage 'rolls-soup':

• 500-600 g. fresh cabbage
• 2 small fresh carrots
• 1 onion
• A handful of chopped leeks (optional)
• 1 cube of vegetable broth
• 2 tablespoons of tomato sauce
• 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
• A pinch of black pepper
• Salt to taste (I added ~0.5 teaspoon but taste test to see if you need less or more)
• 1.5 liter of water

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Preparation

Preparing the meatballs

1. Mix all the dry ingredients for the meatballs (seitan, wheat flour, nutritional yeast, oregano, parsley, onion powder, pepper, chicken seasoning (or salt)).
   
   Then add 200 ml. of water to the mixture, mix and knead by hand until smooth and elastic.
   
   Form balls from the mixture - squeeze about a spoonful of the mixture into a ball shape in your palms.
   
   This recipe made me 12 meatballs. Once formed, put them aside.
   
2. Boil a liter of water with a cube of stock and a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in a pot.
   
   Put the formed balls into boiling water.
   
   Cook for about 30 minutes, stirring constantly.
3. When the meatballs are cooked, fry them in a pan on a little oil until they are browned and put them aside. This is not necessary, but it makes them much more tasty and a bit crispy on the outside.
   

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Preparing the cabbage 'rolls-soup'

1. Shave and dice the carrots into cubes.
   
   Chop the onion and leeks.
   
   Cut the cabbage - the pieces doesn't have to be super small.
   
2. Fry the onion and leeks in the same pan where you cooked the meatballs stirring constantly until soft. You may add extra oil if needed.
   
3. Pour 1.5 liter of water into a larger cooking pot, add a cube of broth and bring it to a boil.
   
   Add chopped cabbage, carrots, onion and leeks to the boiling water. Cook on low heat for about 50 minutes or until cabbage and carrots are soft.
   
4. Once the veggies are cooked, add black pepper, tomato sauce, 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and taste whether additional salt is needed (approximately 0.5 tsp was added in this particular recipe).
   
   Mix everything well.
   
5. Meatballs can be added to cabbage soup to reheat them or reheated separately and put on top of the cabbage soup once served in a bowl.
6. My favorite way to serve this dish is with boiled potatoes. You can also use mashed potatoes, bread or other veggies or sides that you like.

Enjoy!