Here’s a classic, cozy recipe for Flavorful Stuffed Cabbage Rolls — tender cabbage leaves filled with seasoned beef and rice, baked in a rich tomato sauce.
🥬 Flavorful Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
Ingredients
For the Cabbage:
- 1 large green cabbage (12–14 leaves)
For the Filling:
- 1 lb ground beef (or beef/pork mix)
- 1 cup cooked white rice (or ½ cup uncooked)
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
For the Tomato Sauce:
- 2 cups crushed tomatoes (or 1 can, 15 oz)
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
1️⃣ Prepare the Cabbage
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Core the cabbage and carefully peel off 12 large leaves.
- Boil leaves for 2–3 minutes until softened and pliable.
- Remove and let cool. Trim the thick center rib if needed for easier rolling.
2️⃣ Make the Filling
In a large bowl, mix:
- Ground beef
- Cooked rice
- Onion
- Garlic
- Egg
- Parsley
- Salt, pepper, paprika
- Worcestershire
Mix just until combined (don’t overwork).
3️⃣ Roll the Cabbage
- Place about ⅓ cup filling near the base of each leaf.
- Fold sides inward.
- Roll up tightly like a burrito.
4️⃣ Make the Sauce
In a bowl, mix crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, brown sugar, lemon juice, seasoning, salt, and pepper.
5️⃣ Assemble & Bake
- Spread a thin layer of sauce on bottom of baking dish.
- Arrange cabbage rolls seam-side down.
- Pour remaining sauce over top.
- Cover with foil.
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 1 to 1½ hours, until cabbage is tender and filling is cooked through.
🍽 Serve With:
- Mashed potatoes
- Crusty bread
- Sour cream on top
- Fresh dill or parsley
💡 Tips
- You can use uncooked rice, but add ¼ cup extra liquid to filling and bake closer to 1½ hours.
- For deeper flavor, brown the meat and onion first.
- These freeze beautifully (before or after baking).
If you’d like, I can also give you:
- A slow cooker version
- A keto/low-carb version
- A Polish-style sweet & sour version
- Or a vegetarian version 🌱
