Stuffed Cabbage Rolls with Tomato Sauce

Love cabbage rolls? Looking for a new recipe to try? Well, look no further! This Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe is perfect for a winter meal.

It’s hearty and filling, yet still healthy and delicious. So you’ll be able to whip it up in no time. Give it a try today!

If there’s one thing that I could eat every day for the rest of my life, it would be stuffed cabbage rolls. I love them! They are so delicious and comforting.

Plus, they’re pretty easy to make, which is a bonus. If you’ve never had stuffed cabbage rolls before, you definitely need to try this recipe. You won’t regret it!

Scroll to bottom for printable recipe card.

Why do I love Stuffed Cabbage Rolls?

Well, for one, they’re incredibly delicious. I mean, how can you go wrong with tender cabbage leaves stuffed with a flavorful mixture of beef and rice? It’s the perfect winter comfort food.

Plus, they’re pretty easy to make. You don’t need any special skills or equipment. Just a little time and patience, and you’ll have a piping hot batch of stuffed cabbage rolls that are sure to please everyone at the table. So what are you waiting for? Give this recipe a try today! I guarantee you’ll love it!

What are cabbage rolls?

Cabbage rolls are a traditional Polish dish made with ground meat (beef or sausage) and rice wrapped in cabbage leaves. They are soaked in a tomato-based sauce too.

Ingredients:

Sauce:

• Fire-roasted diced tomatoes undrained
• Olive oil
• Tomato sauce
• Onion
• Brown sugar
• Minced garlic
• Red wine vinegar
• Red pepper flakes
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cabbage Rolls:

• Cabbage
• Cumin
• Ground beef
• Italian seasoning
• Cooked white rice
• Chopped fresh parsley
• Onion chopped
• Eggs
• Salt and pepper to taste

How to make Stuffed Cabbage Rolls with Tomato Sauce:

Step 1. Heat 2 tbsp of olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. 

Step 2. Stir in ½ cup of onion, and saute until tender. 

Step 3. Mix in the minced garlic, and saute for another 30 seconds. 

Step 4. Stir in the remaining sauce ingredients, and bring to a light boil. 

Step 5. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for 15 minutes. 

Step 6. Bring a pot ¾ of the way full of water to a boil. 

Step 7. Add the cabbage head to the boiling water, and cook for about 8 minutes, until the leaves are softened a bit. 

Step 8. Heat the oven to 350 degrees.

Step 9. Remove the cabbage and run it under cold water. 

Step 10. Pull off 12 of the large outside leaves. 

Step 11. Cut the hard rib area off of each cabbage leaf. 

Step 12. In a bowl, stir together the ground beef, eggs, cumin, Italian seasoning, white rice, ½ cup onion, parsley, and salt and pepper to taste. 

Mix well.

Step 13. Form the meat mixture into 12 evenly sized balls, and place each one into the center of a cabbage leaf. 

Step 14. Roll the cabbage leaves around the filling to form a wrapped burrito shape. 

Step 15. Layer ½ the sauce into a 9×13 baking dish.

Then layer the cabbage rolls on top. 

Step 16. Pour the remaining sauce over the rolls.

Bake for 90 minutes, or until the cabbage is tender and the rolls are cooked through.

THANKS FOR PINING!

Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Tips

Here are a few tips to help you make the perfect stuffed cabbage rolls:

1. Use tender, fresh cabbage leaves for the best results. If your cabbage leaves are tough, they’ll be difficult to roll and may even tear.
2. Be sure to cook the rice thoroughly before stuffing it into the cabbage leaves. This will ensure that it’s cooked all the way through when you bake the cabbage rolls.
3. Add some grated cheese to the filling for an extra delicious touch.
4. Make ahead and freeze for a quick and easy meal later on. Simply thaw the frozen cabbage rolls and bake them according to the recipe instructions.
5. Serve with a dollop of sour cream or yogurt for an extra creamy and delicious finish.

Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Variations

Here are a few variations of stuffed cabbage rolls that you can try:

1. Use ground turkey or chicken in place of the beef for a lighter version.
2. Swap out the rice for quinoa, barley, or couscous for a different twist.
3. Add some chopped vegetables to the filling, such as carrots, celery, or onions.
4. Make them vegetarian by omitting the meat and increasing the amount of rice or other grains in the filling.
5. Spice things up by adding some chopped jalapeños, hot sauce, or spices to the filling.
6. Give them an Italian twist by using Italian-seasoned bread crumbs in the filling and serving with a marinara sauce on top.
7. For a sweet and savory twist, try adding some raisins or other dried fruit to the filling.

How long do you bake Stuffed Cabbage Rolls?

Stuffed cabbage rolls take about 90 minutes to bake. That will give them the perfect flavor and texture.

What is the best type of cabbage for cabbage rolls?

Green cabbage, savoy cabbage, flat cabbage, and napa cabbage all work well.

How do you get cabbage leaves off without breaking them? 

You’ll need to boil the head of cabbage for 8-10 minutes. Then you can remove the cabbage leaves without tearing them.

Can I cut the recipe in half?

Yes, absolutely! Simply use half the ingredients and follow the same cooking times.

Make-Ahead

Yes, you can make stuffed cabbage rolls ahead of time. Store them in the fridge for up to 2 days before baking.

Can you freeze stuffed cabbage rolls?

Yep! Place the stuffed cabbage rolls in freezer bags and freeze them for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, then bake.

Is the meat in cabbage rolls supposed to be raw?

You should make cabbage rolls with raw meat. Otherwise, the filling will be way overdone and dry.

What kind of side dishes goes with stuffed cabbage rolls?

• Salads
• Potatoes – Mashed, baked, or cheesy!
• Dinner rolls, garlic bread, or bread and butter
• Roasted vegetables

Why do you add sugar added to tomato sauce?

You add sugar to the tomato sauce to balance out the acidity from the tomatoes. You only add a small amount of sugar, so it’s not incredibly unhealthy. Just a touch to give the sauce the perfect flavor.

More cabbage recipes?

Cabbage Roll Casserole – Sticky, Filling, And DELICIOUS.

Ground Beef and Cabbage – Packed with flavor and nutrients, and incredibly easy to prepare.

Polish Kielbasa and Cabbage Soup – I love kielbasa no matter how it’s fixed!