Stuffed Cabbage Rolls are a timeless comfort food—tender cabbage leaves wrapped around a savory meat filling and simmered in rich tomato sauce. This hearty dish is perfect for family dinners, make-ahead meals, and special gatherings.
🧾 Ingredients (Serves 4–6)
Cabbage
- 1 large green cabbage
Filling
- 500 g (1 lb) ground beef (or beef & pork mix)
- ½ cup uncooked rice
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
Sauce
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup water or beef broth
- 1 tablespoon sugar (optional, balances acidity)
- Salt & pepper, to taste
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1️⃣ Prepare the Cabbage
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Remove outer cabbage leaves and core the cabbage.
Boil the whole cabbage for 5–7 minutes, gently peeling off softened leaves as they loosen.
Set aside to cool.
2️⃣ Make the Filling
In a bowl, combine ground meat, rice, onion, garlic, egg, salt, pepper, and paprika.
Mix gently until just combined.
3️⃣ Roll the Cabbage
Place a cabbage leaf flat.
Add 2–3 tablespoons of filling near the base.
Fold in the sides and roll tightly.
Repeat with remaining leaves.
4️⃣ Prepare the Sauce
Mix tomato sauce, tomato paste, water/broth, sugar, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
5️⃣ Cook the Rolls
Spread a thin layer of sauce in a large pot or baking dish.
Arrange cabbage rolls seam-side down.
Pour remaining sauce over the top.
Stovetop:
Cover and simmer on low for 60–75 minutes.
Oven:
Cover with foil and bake at 180°C / 350°F for 75–90 minutes.
⭐ Tips for Perfect Cabbage Rolls
- Freeze the cabbage overnight instead of boiling for easy peeling
- Don’t overfill—rolls should be snug, not tight
- Let rest 10 minutes before serving
- Taste sauce before cooking and adjust seasoning
🔁 Variations
- Low-Carb: replace rice with cauliflower rice
- Vegetarian: use lentils and mushrooms
- Sweet & Sour: add raisins and a splash of vinegar
- Creamy: serve with sour cream
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
- Mashed potatoes
- Crusty bread
- Simple cucumber salad
- Yogurt or sour cream on top
🏁 Final Thoughts
Stuffed Cabbage Rolls are the definition of comfort—warm, filling, and full of tradition. Even better, they taste amazing the next day, making them perfect for leftovers.