If you’re looking to bring the warmth of home-cooked comfort food to your table, look no further than Stuffed Cabbage Rolls. This timeless dish, often passed down through generations, wraps a savory blend of ground meats, tender rice, and bold spices inside silky cabbage leaves, then simmers everything in a tangy tomato sauce. The end result is pure magic: hearty, flavor-packed bites that taste like a big, comforting hug. Whether you’re exploring Eastern European classics or simply craving a cozy, make-ahead meal, Stuffed Cabbage Rolls are guaranteed to delight everyone around your table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Even though these Stuffed Cabbage Rolls look spectacular, the magic comes from an honest lineup of pantry staples and simple fresh ingredients. Each one plays a role in layering flavor, delivering texture, and creating that signature color that makes this dish so inviting.
- Green cabbage: Look for a large, tight head—its big leaves are essential for wrapping and holding all those savory fillings.
- Ground beef: Brings rich, classic flavor and hearty texture that anchors each roll.
- Ground pork: Adds juiciness and a tender bite when combined with the beef.
- Cooked white rice: The secret to plump, tender stuffing; cooked rice soaks up flavors and binds the filling beautifully.
- Yellow onion: A little sweet, a little punchy—onion brings aromatic depth to the meat mixture.
- Garlic: Just two cloves make a real difference, infusing the filling with fragrant, savory notes.
- Egg: Acts as a binder for the filling, ensuring the rolls don’t fall apart after baking.
- Salt: Essential for bringing together all the flavors in the meat and sauce.
- Black pepper: Offers gentle heat and complexity.
- Dried oregano: Lends an earthy, herbaceous lift that brightens each bite.
- Crushed tomatoes: The foundation for a luscious, tangy tomato sauce.
- Tomato sauce: Smooth and saucy, it enriches the consistency and flavor of the topping.
- Tomato paste: Intensifies the tomato flavor for a deep, robust profile.
- Brown sugar: Just a touch balances acidity in the tomato sauce and provides gentle sweetness.
- White vinegar: Brightens the sauce, making every roll taste lively and fresh.
- Paprika: Adds color and a subtle smokiness to the sauce and filling.
- Water or beef broth: Loosens the sauce and infuses extra flavor into each stuffed roll as it bakes.
How to Make Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
Step 1: Prepare the Cabbage Leaves
This step is all about turning sturdy cabbage leaves into tender blankets for your filling. Begin by bringing a big pot of water to a boil, then carefully core your cabbage. Gently lower the whole head into the simmering water. As it softens, peel away the outer leaves with tongs—take your time and work gradually so they remain whole. Transfer each softened leaf to a plate to cool; these will be the wrappers for your Stuffed Cabbage Rolls. If you want to speed things up, microwaving the cored cabbage works well too!
Step 2: Mix the Savory Filling
This is where flavor begins to build in earnest. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, cooked white rice, chopped onion, minced garlic, lightly beaten egg, salt, pepper, and oregano. Mix gently with clean hands or a sturdy spoon until just combined—you want everything evenly distributed, but be careful not to overwork the meat for the most tender rolls.
Step 3: Make the Tangy Tomato Sauce
The sauce for Stuffed Cabbage Rolls is the finishing touch that ties the dish together. In a separate bowl, stir together crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, brown sugar, vinegar, paprika, and your chosen water or beef broth. You’ll want a sauce that’s thick enough to coat but loose enough to seep into every nook and cranny while baking.
Step 4: Assemble Each Roll
Lay a cabbage leaf flat on your work surface, trimming any tough stem at the base if needed. Place about 1/4 to 1/3 cup of the meat and rice mixture at the base, fold in the sides, then roll it up tightly—think of it like wrapping a burrito. Arrange each roll seam-side down in your baking dish or Dutch oven, snuggling them close together so they hold their shape.
Step 5: Sauce and Bake
Pour that delicious tomato sauce evenly over the rolls, making sure each one is well-coated. Cover your baking dish tightly with foil or a lid and slide it into a preheated 350°F oven. Give it 1 hour and 30 minutes; by the end, the cabbage will be meltingly tender and the filling cooked through, with every flavor mingling in the most satisfying way.
How to Serve Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
Garnishes
When you bring Stuffed Cabbage Rolls to the table, a fresh garnish can truly make them pop. A sprinkling of chopped fresh parsley brightens the deep tomato color and adds a welcome note of freshness. For a creamy touch, a little dollop of sour cream or a squeeze of lemon can also work wonders—and for extra flair, dust with a pinch of smoked paprika!
Side Dishes
These rolls are hearty, but pairing them with sides can make a meal really special. Try serving them with buttery mashed potatoes or simple boiled new potatoes, which soak up all that glorious sauce. Steamed green beans, crusty bread, or a tangy cucumber salad also play nicely by their side, balancing the rich flavors of the rolls.
Creative Ways to Present
Make your Stuffed Cabbage Rolls the main event at a family gathering by arranging them in a colorful platter with extra sauce ladled over the top. For personal servings, place two rolls per plate, drizzle with sauce, and add a scatter of microgreens to elevate the look. If you’re feeling playful, try serving them “tapas style,” sliced in halves or thirds with toothpicks for a unique appetizer spread.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Cool any leftover Stuffed Cabbage Rolls completely before transferring them to an airtight container. In the refrigerator, they’ll stay delicious and moist for up to 4 days—just make sure the rolls are well-covered in sauce so they don’t dry out.
Freezing
Stuffed Cabbage Rolls freeze exceptionally well, making them perfect for meal prepping. You can assemble the rolls (with sauce) and freeze them unbaked, or freeze leftovers in individual portions. Either way, tuck them into a freezer-safe dish or bag, with plenty of sauce to keep them moist. They’ll keep for up to 2 months—just thaw overnight in the fridge when you’re ready.
Reheating
The best way to reheat Stuffed Cabbage Rolls is in the oven, covered, at 350°F until hot throughout—this takes about 25 to 30 minutes. If you’re in a hurry, you can use the microwave: place rolls in a deep dish, cover with sauce and a lid or wrap, and heat on medium in short intervals to prevent drying.
FAQs
What’s the best way to keep my cabbage leaves from tearing?
Remove leaves gently as they soften, and trim away any thick rib at the base after cooling. If a leaf splits, overlap the torn edges before rolling; the filling and sauce will hold everything together during baking.
Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef and pork?
Absolutely! Ground turkey or chicken both work as leaner alternatives and still taste wonderful. You might want to add a splash of olive oil to keep the filling juicy.
Is it possible to make Stuffed Cabbage Rolls vegetarian?
For a vegetarian version, swap out the meat for a combination of cooked lentils, chickpeas, or finely chopped mushrooms and carrots. You’ll keep all the comfort with an extra boost of veggies.
Do Stuffed Cabbage Rolls taste better the next day?
They absolutely do! Letting the rolls rest overnight lets the flavors meld, making leftovers even more flavorful. Just be sure to reheat gently so the cabbage keeps its tender texture.
How can I prevent the rolls from coming apart while baking?
Rolling each leaf tightly and placing the rolls seam-side down in your dish will keep them firm. Packing the rolls close together and covering tightly with foil or a lid also helps them hold their shape.
Final Thoughts
If you’re ready for a meal that’s both hearty and full of heritage, give Stuffed Cabbage Rolls a place on your table. There’s nothing more satisfying than seeing those saucy, golden rolls bubbling out of the oven—and watching everyone swoon after just one bite! Gather your ingredients, make a batch, and get ready to fall in love with this cozy classic all over again.
Print
Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Eastern European
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
These Stuffed Cabbage Rolls are a comforting and hearty dish featuring a flavorful meat filling wrapped in tender cabbage leaves and baked to perfection in a savory tomato sauce.
Ingredients
For the Cabbage Rolls:
- 1 large head green cabbage
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ pound ground pork
- 1 cup cooked white rice
- 1 small yellow onion (finely chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 egg (lightly beaten)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
For the Sauce:
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ cup water or beef broth
Instructions
- Prepare the Cabbage: Boil a large pot of water. Core the cabbage and boil for 5–7 minutes. Remove leaves, set aside to cool.
- Make the Filling: Combine beef, pork, rice, onion, garlic, egg, salt, pepper, and oregano in a bowl.
- Prepare the Sauce: Mix crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, sugar, vinegar, paprika, and water.
- Assemble: Place meat mixture in cabbage leaves, roll, and place in a baking dish.
- Bake: Pour sauce over rolls, cover, and bake at 350°F for 1 hour 30 minutes.
Notes
- To save time, soften cabbage in the microwave.
- These rolls freeze well—assemble and freeze before baking.
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