Here’s a traditional, comforting old-fashioned cabbage rolls recipe — just like many grandmothers used to make.
🥬 Old-Fashioned Cabbage Rolls
🛒 Ingredients (Serves 6)
For the rolls:
- 1 large green cabbage
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- ½ lb (225 g) ground pork (optional but traditional)
- 1 cup cooked white rice
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
For the sauce:
- 1 (28 oz / 800 g) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15 oz / 425 g) can tomato sauce
- 1–2 tbsp brown sugar (to taste)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar
- Salt & pepper to taste
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Prepare the Cabbage
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
- Remove the core from the cabbage.
- Carefully lower the whole head into boiling water.
- As leaves soften (about 2–3 minutes), peel them off with tongs.
- Set aside 12–14 large leaves. Trim the thick stem vein so they roll easily.
2️⃣ Make the Filling
In a bowl, combine:
- Ground beef
- Ground pork
- Cooked rice
- Onion
- Garlic
- Egg
- Salt, pepper, paprika
Mix gently until just combined (don’t overwork the meat).
3️⃣ Roll the Cabbage
- Place about ¼–⅓ cup filling near the base of each leaf.
- Fold sides inward.
- Roll up tightly like a burrito.
4️⃣ Prepare the Sauce
Mix crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, brown sugar, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
5️⃣ Assemble & Bake
- Spread a thin layer of sauce on the bottom of a large baking dish or Dutch oven.
- Arrange cabbage rolls seam-side down.
- Pour remaining sauce over the top.
- Cover with foil or lid.
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 1½ to 2 hours, until tender and cooked through.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
Serve with:
- Mashed potatoes
- Rye bread
- Sour cream on the side
❄️ Make-Ahead Tip
Cabbage rolls taste even better the next day. They also freeze beautifully — just cool completely before freezing.
If you’d like, I can also give you:
- A slow cooker version
- A Ukrainian-style version
- A Polish-style version
- Or a low-carb (no rice) version
Just tell me which one you prefer 😊
