There’s something so comforting and satisfying about stuffed cabbage rolls—tender cabbage leaves filled with a flavorful mix of seasoned meat, rice, and spices, all smothered in a rich tomato sauce. It’s one of those classic, hearty dishes that feels like a warm hug in food form. Whether you’re making them for a family dinner or preparing a meal to impress friends, stuffed cabbage rolls are always a winner. Trust me, once you take that first bite, you’ll be hooked!
Why You’ll Love Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
Comforting and Hearty
Stuffed cabbage rolls are the ultimate comfort food. The combination of tender cabbage, savory filling, and flavorful tomato sauce creates a dish that feels both homey and special. It’s perfect for cozy nights at home or when you’re looking for a meal that’ll feed a crowd.
Packed with Flavor
Each cabbage roll is loaded with a seasoned filling of meat, rice, and spices, giving every bite a perfect balance of flavors. The tomato sauce adds just the right amount of tang and richness, making these rolls incredibly satisfying.
Make-Ahead & Freezable
This recipe is perfect for meal prep! You can make them ahead of time and store them in the fridge for a day or two, or freeze them for a quick meal on a busy night. They taste just as good (if not better) the next day.
Family-Friendly
Kids and adults alike love stuffed cabbage rolls. It’s a dish that brings the whole family to the table, and you can even adjust the seasonings to suit everyone’s taste.
Ingredients
Cabbage
The cabbage leaves are the essential wrap for the filling. They get tender as they cook and provide the perfect vehicle for holding all the delicious ingredients inside.
Ground Meat (Beef or Pork)
The base of the filling, ground meat adds rich flavor and heartiness to the rolls. You can use a mix of beef and pork for extra flavor, or go with just one type depending on your preference.
Rice
Rice is the perfect binder in the filling, helping to hold everything together while also adding texture and a mild flavor. You can use white or brown rice based on your preference.
Onion
Sautéed onion adds depth and sweetness to the filling. It’s an essential flavor component in many savory dishes, and these cabbage rolls are no exception.
Garlic
Garlic provides an aromatic, savory flavor that pairs perfectly with the meat and rice filling.
Spices (Paprika, Salt, Pepper, Dried Herbs)
A blend of paprika, salt, pepper, and dried herbs like thyme and bay leaves season the filling and the tomato sauce, bringing everything together beautifully.
Tomato Sauce
A generous amount of tomato sauce bathes the cabbage rolls as they cook, keeping them moist and adding that rich, tangy flavor.
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Calories per serving: ~300 kcal
Fat: 15g
Carbohydrates: 20g
Protein: 25g
Preparation Time
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Cabbage
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cut the core out of the cabbage and carefully separate the leaves. Gently blanch the cabbage leaves in boiling water for about 2-3 minutes, until they’re soft and pliable. Remove the leaves and set them aside to cool.
Step 2: Make the Filling
In a large skillet, sauté the chopped onion and garlic in a bit of oil over medium heat until softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes. In a large bowl, combine the cooked onion and garlic with ground meat, cooked rice, paprika, salt, pepper, and dried herbs. Mix everything together until well combined.
Step 3: Assemble the Rolls
Place a cabbage leaf on a flat surface and spoon a portion of the filling onto the center of the leaf. Roll up the cabbage leaf around the filling, tucking in the sides as you go, to form a tight roll. Repeat with the remaining cabbage leaves and filling.
Step 4: Make the Sauce
In a separate bowl, combine the tomato sauce with a pinch of salt, pepper, and any extra herbs you like. You can also add a dash of sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes.
Step 5: Layer and Cook
In a large pot or Dutch oven, spread a thin layer of tomato sauce on the bottom. Place the cabbage rolls in the pot, layering them tightly. Once all the rolls are arranged, pour the remaining tomato sauce over the top. Cover and simmer on low heat for 1 hour to 1 ½ hours, until the cabbage is tender and the flavors have melded together.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy!
Once the cabbage rolls are cooked through and tender, remove them from the pot. Serve them warm with a side of mashed potatoes, crusty bread, or a fresh salad.
How to Serve Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
Mashed Potatoes
A creamy mashed potato side complements the cabbage rolls beautifully, soaking up the rich tomato sauce and adding a comforting element to the dish.
Crusty Bread
Serve with a warm, crusty loaf of bread to help scoop up the sauce and complete the meal. It’s the perfect side to round out your cabbage roll experience.
Fresh Salad
Pair with a light, refreshing salad to balance out the richness of the cabbage rolls. A simple green salad with a tangy vinaigrette works wonders!
Rice
Since the cabbage rolls already have rice inside, serving them with extra rice is a nice way to stretch the meal if you’re feeding a crowd. A simple, buttery rice works best.
Additional Tips
- Make Ahead: You can make the stuffed cabbage rolls a day or two in advance. Store them in the fridge and reheat when ready to serve.
- Freezing: These cabbage rolls freeze beautifully. After cooking, let them cool and freeze them in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven or stovetop.
- Customize the Filling: Add vegetables like chopped carrots, mushrooms, or bell peppers to the filling for extra flavor and nutrition.
- Spicy Kick: If you like heat, add some red pepper flakes or a diced jalapeño to the filling for a little spice.
FAQ Section
Q1: Can I use a different type of meat for the filling?
A1: Yes! You can use ground turkey, chicken, or lamb if you prefer. The flavor will vary slightly, but it’s still delicious.
Q2: Can I make these without rice?
A2: Yes, you can omit the rice for a lower-carb version of stuffed cabbage rolls, or replace it with cauliflower rice if you want to keep the dish low-carb.
Q3: How do I store leftovers?
A3: Leftover cabbage rolls can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can reheat them in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Q4: Can I freeze the cabbage rolls before cooking?
A4: Absolutely! Freeze the uncooked cabbage rolls on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer them to an airtight container. When you’re ready to cook, just simmer them in the sauce as directed, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
Q5: How do I reheat stuffed cabbage rolls?
A5: Reheat the rolls on the stovetop over low heat, covered with a bit of extra sauce to prevent them from drying out, or pop them in the microwave for a quick and easy option.
Conclusion
These Stuffed Cabbage Rolls are the ultimate comfort food, packed with savory meat, rice, and spices, all wrapped in tender cabbage and topped with a rich tomato sauce. They’re perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or any occasion that calls for a cozy, flavorful dish. Make a batch today and enjoy the delicious warmth they bring to your table!
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Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
- Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 Serving 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Deliciously hearty stuffed cabbage rolls filled with seasoned ground beef and rice, topped with a rich tomato sauce. Perfect for a comforting family meal.
Ingredients
Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 medium onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
- 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes (do not drain)
- 15-ounce can tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
Cabbage Rolls:
- 1 pound extra lean ground beef
- 1 cup cooked rice (white or brown)
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs blend
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 egg
- 1 head of cabbage
Instructions
- To Make the Sauce:
- In a large pot over medium heat, heat the olive oil, then add the onion and cook for 3-5 minutes or until translucent.
- Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, Italian herbs, salt and pepper, brown sugar, red wine vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir well and bring to a simmer.
- Simmer the sauce for 10-15 minutes, stirring often. Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings if needed.
- Coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Ladle half of the tomato sauce into the bottom of the dish; set aside.
- To Make the Cabbage Rolls:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Immerse the cabbage head in the boiling water and cook for 4-5 minutes or until the leaves are pliable. Remove from water and peel off 12 large leaves. When the leaves are cooled, cut a V-shaped notch at the base of each to remove the thick rib of the cabbage. Set the cabbage aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, rice, onion powder, garlic, salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, Italian herbs, 2 tablespoons of the fresh parsley, and the egg.
- Add 1/2 cup of the prepared tomato sauce to the bowl and stir to combine.
- Take 1/3 of a cup of the meat mixture and shape it into a log; place it in the center of a cabbage leaf. Roll the cabbage leaf around the meat then place in the prepared baking dish. Repeat with the remaining meat and cabbage leaves.
- Top the cabbage rolls in the pan with the remaining sauce. Cover the pan with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 70-90 minutes, or until the cabbage is fork-tender and the meat is cooked through.
- Sprinkle the cabbage rolls with the remaining parsley and serve hot with mashed potatoes.
Notes
Cooking time may vary depending on your oven. Check the doneness of the meat and cabbage.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 90 minutes
- Category: main course
- Method: Baking
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cabbage roll
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 80mg