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Stuffed cabbage rolls topped with rich tomato sauce

Delicious Stuffed Cabbage Rolls: A Complete Guide to Prep, Cooking & Serving


  • Author: Velma
  • Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

Stuffed Cabbage Rolls are a timeless comfort food dish made with tender cabbage leaves wrapped around a hearty filling of ground meat, rice, and spices—all simmered in a tangy tomato sauce. This classic recipe brings warmth, flavor, and nostalgia to your table, whether you’re making a family dinner or meal prepping for the week.


Ingredients

Scale

For the Rolls

  • 1 large head of green cabbage
  • 1 lb ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
  • ½ cup uncooked white rice
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

For the Tomato Sauce

  • 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp dried oregano or Italian seasoning
  • Optional: ½ cup beef broth for extra richness

Instructions

1. Prepare the Cabbage Leaves

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
  • Carefully remove core from cabbage. Place whole head in boiling water for 3–5 minutes, peeling off outer softened leaves as they loosen.
  • Continue until you have about 10–12 large, intact leaves.
  • Trim thick part of the stem from each leaf for easier rolling.

2. Make the Filling

  • In a large bowl, mix ground meat, uncooked rice, onion, garlic, egg, parsley, salt, pepper, and paprika until well combined.

3. Assemble the Rolls

  • Lay a cabbage leaf flat and place about ¼–⅓ cup filling near the stem end.
  • Fold in the sides and roll up like a burrito.
  • Repeat with remaining leaves and filling.

4. Make the Sauce

  • In a bowl, combine crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, salt, oregano, and broth (if using). Stir well.

5. Layer and Cook

  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  • Spoon a bit of sauce on the bottom of a large baking dish.
  • Arrange rolls seam-side down in the dish.
  • Pour remaining sauce over the rolls, covering completely.
  • Cover with foil and bake for 1 hour 15 minutes, or until rice is tender and rolls are fully cooked.

 

Notes

Be sure to read the full blog post for all my best tips and helpful tricks!

  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Category: Main Dishes
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: European

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6 servings
  • Calories: 210 kcal
  • Sugar: 6g
  • Sodium: 370 mg
  • Fat: 10g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 15 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 13 g
  • Cholesterol: 50 mg

Keywords: Stuffed Cabbage Rolls