Prepare to fall in love with a timeless recipe that’s traveled from bustling European kitchens straight into our hearts: Stuffed Cabbage Rolls. This comforting main course blends tender cabbage leaves with a hearty mixture of beef, pork, rice, and aromatic spices, all simmered in a vibrant tomato sauce. It’s the kind of dish that feels like a warm hug and makes any dinner moment just a little more special.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Stuffed Cabbage Rolls lies in the simplicity of its ingredients—each one is essential, contributing a unique note to the beautiful harmony of flavors, heartiness, and color that this dish delivers.
- Green cabbage: Choose a large, firm head so you get nice, big leaves for wrapping—these become the pillowy blankets for all your rich filling.
- Ground beef: This brings savory depth and a robust, meaty flavor that anchors each roll.
- Ground pork: Adds juiciness and a slight sweetness that balances the beef beautifully.
- Cooked white rice: Fluffy rice not only stretches the filling but soaks up all those delicious juices—don’t skip it!
- Onion: Finely chopped, it melts into the filling, adding subtle sweetness and texture.
- Garlic: Just a couple of cloves, minced, bring an irresistible aroma and punchy flavor.
- Egg: One beaten egg acts as the glue, holding your filling together as it cooks.
- Salt & black pepper: The essential duo, enhancing every other flavor within the rolls.
- Paprika: A little smoky warmth that elevates the filling without overpowering it.
- Tomato sauce: Provides the luscious base for the simmering sauce—rich and tangy!
- Diced tomatoes: These add a juicy burst of brightness and a rustic feel to the sauce.
- Tomato paste: For a deeper, concentrated tomato flavor that pulls everything together.
- Beef broth: Adds savory liquid and helps make the sauce delightfully sippable.
- Sugar: Just a spoonful rounds out the acidity of the tomatoes with a gentle sweetness.
- Olive oil: Used to sauté and bring a little silkiness to the sauce—don’t underestimate the difference!
How to Make Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
Step 1: Prepare the Cabbage Leaves
Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Cut out the tough core from your cabbage and gently pull the leaves away—try to keep them whole! Simmer the leaves for about 2 to 3 minutes until they turn flexible and pliable. This step makes them soft enough to wrap but ensures they don’t fall apart later. Drain the leaves and set them aside to cool while you make the filling.
Step 2: Mix the Filling
In a large mixing bowl, combine your ground beef, ground pork, cooked white rice, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, a beaten egg, plus salt, pepper, and paprika. Use clean hands or a sturdy spoon to thoroughly mix everything. You want a uniform filling where all the flavors are mingled. This mix is the juicy, flavorful heart of every Stuffed Cabbage Roll.
Step 3: Roll the Cabbage
Lay a softened cabbage leaf out on a cutting board. Place about 1/4 cup of your prepared filling in the center. Fold the sides inward—they should just barely overlap the filling—then start at the stem end and roll up tightly like a burrito. Continue with the remaining leaves and filling, savoring the rhythmic, hands-on process.
Step 4: Make the Tomato Sauce
In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat a splash of olive oil over medium heat. Pour in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth, and sprinkle with sugar. Stir everything together and let the sauce come to a low simmer—it should be fragrant and just slightly sweet.
Step 5: Simmer the Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
Arrange the cabbage rolls seam-side down right in the sauce, tucking them close together so they stay put as they cook. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Cook for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, checking occasionally, until the meat is cooked through and the cabbage is meltingly tender. Spoon extra sauce over each roll just before serving—they’ll be bursting with cozy flavor!
How to Serve Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or dill instantly brightens up Stuffed Cabbage Rolls and adds an herby freshness to every bite. For a little tang, a dollop of sour cream draped on top works wonders, melting into the tomato sauce and deepening the flavor.
Side Dishes
These hearty rolls are a meal unto themselves, but they absolutely shine alongside a side of crusty bread for mopping up sauce. Pair with creamy mashed potatoes, buttered egg noodles, or a lightly dressed cucumber salad for added freshness and a little crunch.
Creative Ways to Present
The classic family-style approach—tucking the Stuffed Cabbage Rolls in a pretty serving dish, drenched with extra sauce—is always a showstopper. For an appetizer twist, slice each roll in half and spear with toothpicks. Or, arrange individual rolls in ramekins with a drape of sauce and a tiny herb sprig for a more elegant, single-serve presentation.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, Stuffed Cabbage Rolls keep beautifully. Once cooled, arrange them in an airtight container with enough sauce to keep them moist. Store in the refrigerator for up to four days—they’ll taste even better as the flavors meld.
Freezing
These rolls are meal-prep superstars! Assemble and cook them completely, then transfer to freezer-safe containers with their sauce. Freeze for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for best texture and flavor.
Reheating
To reheat, gently warm the rolls with their sauce on the stovetop or in the oven (covered) at 350°F until piping hot. If you’re in a hurry, the microwave works too—just use a lower power setting and keep the rolls nestled in plenty of sauce so they don’t dry out.
FAQs
Can I make Stuffed Cabbage Rolls ahead of time?
Absolutely! In fact, the flavors develop even more overnight. Prepare and cook the rolls as instructed, then reheat when ready to serve. You can also assemble the rolls and keep them (uncooked) in the fridge up to a day ahead, ready to simmer whenever you are.
What’s the best way to keep the cabbage leaves from tearing?
Be sure to simmer the cabbage leaves just until they’re flexible—overcooking makes them fragile, undercooking makes them stiff. Also, trim the thickest part of the stem on each leaf to help them roll up smoothly and avoid splitting.
Can I use a different type Main Course
Definitely! For a lighter version, use all ground turkey, or replace both meats with sautéed mushrooms and extra rice for a satisfying meatless twist. Just be sure to adjust the seasoning and filling consistency as needed.
Is it possible to bake Stuffed Cabbage Rolls instead of simmering?
Yes—you can layer the rolls in a covered baking dish, pour the sauce over, and bake at 350°F for about 90 minutes. The rolls turn incredibly tender and the sauce thickens slightly, resulting in irresistible comfort food.
How do I avoid having a watery tomato sauce?
If the sauce seems thin at the end of cooking, simply remove the cabbage rolls and simmer the sauce uncovered until it reaches your desired consistency. Don’t forget to stir occasionally so nothing sticks to the bottom!
Final Thoughts
If you’ve never tried making Stuffed Cabbage Rolls at home, now’s the time—there’s just something magical about the way simple ingredients come together to create comfort food you’ll crave all year. I hope this recipe becomes a beloved staple in your kitchen, filling your home (and heart) with warmth and truly memorable flavor!
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Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe
- Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
These Stuffed Cabbage Rolls are a classic Eastern European dish filled with a savory mixture of ground beef, pork, rice, and spices, rolled up in tender cabbage leaves and simmered in a rich tomato sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 large head green cabbage
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 lb ground pork
- 1 cup cooked white rice
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 large egg beaten
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
Ingredients for Cabbage Rolls:
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Ingredients for Tomato Sauce:
Instructions
- Prepare Cabbage: Core the cabbage and boil leaves for 2-3 minutes; drain and set aside.
- Make Filling: Mix beef, pork, rice, onion, garlic, egg, salt, pepper, and paprika in a bowl.
- Fill Cabbage: Place filling in cabbage leaves, roll tightly.
- Cook: Simmer tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, broth, and sugar. Add cabbage rolls and simmer covered for 1 1/2 – 2 hours.
- Serve: Serve hot with extra sauce.
Notes
- For a lighter version, use all ground turkey.
- Stuffed cabbage rolls can also be baked in a covered dish at 350°F for about 90 minutes instead of simmering.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop, Simmering
- Cuisine: Eastern European
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 rolls with sauce
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
