Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe
If you’re craving a comforting meal that brings together tender cabbage, a savory meat-and-rice filling, and a rich tomato sauce, this Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe is for you. Each bite is a nostalgic hug, delivering both rustic flavor and a delightful heartiness. With its roots in Eastern European kitchens, this dish is as much about tradition as it is about taste—and while it looks impressive, it’s absolutely doable at home. If you’ve never tried making stuffed cabbage rolls yourself, you’re in for a delicious surprise!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is the key to building flavor and achieving perfect texture in this dish. Each component plays a special role, whether it’s for the filling, the sauce, or that signature color and aroma. Simple, well-chosen ingredients turn into something magical together.
- Green cabbage: Large, fresh leaves make the best rolls and become wonderfully tender after baking.
- Ground beef: Brings rich, hearty flavor to the filling—classic comfort food at its best.
- Ground pork: Adds extra juiciness and a depth of savory taste when combined with beef.
- Cooked white rice: The secret to a satisfying, fluffy filling that holds together beautifully.
- Onion (finely chopped): Enhances the mixture with subtle sweetness and aromatic bite.
- Garlic cloves (minced): Intensifies the savory scent in both filling and sauce.
- Large egg: Binds all the filling ingredients together for rolls that stay intact.
- Salt: Essential for bringing out all the wonderful flavors of the dish.
- Black pepper: Adds just the right amount of heat and depth to every bite.
- Dried oregano: A hint of earthy, herbal flavor that lingers on the palate.
- Crushed tomatoes: The base for a classic, luscious tomato sauce.
- Tomato sauce: Gives the sauce silky consistency and rich color.
- Tomato paste: Concentrates the tomato flavor, creating a sauce that clings to each roll.
- Olive oil: Adds smoothness and melds the sauce flavors together.
- Brown sugar: Balances the slight tang of tomatoes with a touch of sweetness.
- Red wine vinegar: Brightens and sharpens the finished sauce.
- Water: Helps adjust the sauce’s thickness, so every roll is bathed in flavor.
How to Make Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Cabbage
Start by bringing a large pot of water to a rapid boil. Carefully remove the core from your cabbage, then gently lower the whole head into the bubbling water. Let it simmer for about 3 to 5 minutes—until the outer leaves soften and can be peeled away easily with tongs. Continue peeling and cooking in batches until you have 12 to 14 large, whole leaves. Don’t forget to trim the thick stem at the base so the leaves roll up nice and smooth!
Step 2: Make the Savory Filling
In a spacious mixing bowl, blend together the ground beef, ground pork, cooked rice, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, egg, salt, pepper, and oregano. Get in there with your hands! Gentle but thorough mixing makes the filling cohesive without turning tough. You want everything mingled, not mashed.
Step 3: Prepare the Tomato Sauce
In a separate bowl, combine the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, olive oil, brown sugar, red wine vinegar, and water. Stir everything until smooth and uniform. This sauce will both cradle the rolls and infuse them with a tangy, subtly sweet richness.
Step 4: Fill and Roll
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Spread a little of the tomato sauce over the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish—just enough for a thin coating. Spoon about ¼ cup of filling onto each cabbage leaf, fold over the sides, and then roll as tightly as you can. Arrange the stuffed cabbage rolls seam-side down in the prepared dish.
Step 5: Bake Until Tender
Pour the remaining sauce over all the rolls, making sure they’re mostly covered. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes. For a slightly caramelized top, uncover and bake for an extra 10 to 15 minutes. Let them cool slightly before serving so that the flavors can settle and meld.
How to Serve Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe
Garnishes
Elevate your dish with a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley or dill for a bright pop of color. A dollop of sour cream is a classic touch that adds creaminess, while a few twists of freshly cracked black pepper bring out the aromatic spices within every bite.
Side Dishes
These hearty rolls love simple, comforting sides. Try serving them with buttery mashed potatoes, crusty bread to soak up the sauce, or a crisp cucumber salad for a bit of freshness. Roasted root vegetables or steamed green beans also make perfect companions, rounding out the meal without overpowering the main attraction.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack the rolls in a shallow bowl with an extra ladle of sauce, or arrange them neatly in a casserole for family-style sharing. If you’re hosting, try serving individual rolls on small plates with an artful drizzle of sauce and a herb garnish for an upscale twist on this beloved Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After dinner, let your stuffed cabbage rolls cool a bit, then transfer them (with plenty of sauce) to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making leftovers especially satisfying!.
Freezing
The Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe is a freezer favorite! Arrange rolls and sauce in a freezer-proof dish or container, tightly sealed. They’ll keep beautifully for up to 3 months. When you’re ready for a delicious, comforting meal, simply thaw overnight in the fridge.
Reheating
To reheat, place the rolls (with lots of sauce to keep them moist) in a covered oven-safe dish at 350°F for 20 to 25 minutes, or use the microwave in bursts to avoid drying out. Add a splash of water or extra sauce if needed for that just-baked texture.
FAQs
Can I make this Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe vegetarian?
Absolutely! Swap the meats for a mixture of cooked lentils, sautéed mushrooms, and some extra vegetables to produce a hearty vegetarian version with all the delicious flavor.
What type Main Course
Green cabbage is the classic choice as its leaves are sturdy yet become tender when boiled. If you’d like, savoy cabbage is also a wonderful alternative due to its delicate texture and pretty ruffled leaves.
Is it necessary to cook the rice beforehand?
Yes—using cooked rice helps bind the filling and ensures each roll cooks evenly. Uncooked rice would not soften enough during baking and could leave the filling undercooked or crunchy.
Can I assemble Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe ahead of time?
Certainly! You can prep and roll everything the day before, then refrigerate (covered) until you’re ready to bake. This makes dinner parties or busy weeknights so much easier.
How do I keep the rolls from falling apart?
Be sure to trim the thick cabbage stem for easy rolling, don’t overfill each leaf, and place your rolls seam-side down in the baking dish. The sauce and snug fit in the pan help keep everything together while baking.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a heartwarming dish that’s both impressive and wonderfully easy to make, this Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe is a true classic. Every roll is packed with savory flavor and love—perfect for sharing with those around your table. Give it a try, and let it become a family tradition in your own kitchen!
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Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
These hearty Stuffed Cabbage Rolls are a classic Eastern European dish filled with a savory mixture of ground beef, pork, and rice, all wrapped in tender cabbage leaves and baked in a flavorful 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 onion (finely chopped)
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
For the Tomato Sauce:
- 2 cups crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- ½ cup water
Instructions
- Prepare the Cabbage: Boil the cabbage, remove leaves, and trim stems.
- Make the Filling: Mix beef, pork, rice, onion, garlic, egg, and seasonings.
- Prepare the Sauce: Mix tomatoes, sauce, paste, oil, sugar, vinegar, and water.
- Assemble: Fill cabbage leaves, roll, and place in a baking dish.
- Bake: Cover with sauce, bake, and serve.
Notes
- Consider using ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
- Rolls can be made ahead and frozen for convenience.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Eastern European
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 rolls
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
