Description
Classic Stuffed Cabbage Rolls are a comforting dish made with tender cabbage leaves filled with seasoned meat and rice, baked in savory tomato sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 large head green cabbage (12–14 leaves)
- 1 lb ground beef (or half beef, half pork)
- 1/2 cup uncooked white rice
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme or Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced (for sauce)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (for sauce)
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp sugar
- Chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Boil or freeze the cabbage head to soften leaves. Peel 12–14 whole leaves and trim the thick vein at the base.
- In a bowl, combine ground meat, uncooked rice, chopped onion, garlic, egg, paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper. Mix gently.
- In a saucepan, heat olive oil. Sauté diced onion and garlic for 2–3 minutes. Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10–15 minutes.
- Place 2–3 tbsp filling onto each cabbage leaf. Fold in the sides and roll tightly from the base up.
- Spread a layer of tomato sauce on the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish. Arrange cabbage rolls seam-side down in a single layer.
- Pour remaining sauce over the rolls. Cover tightly with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 1 hour.
- Remove foil and bake an additional 20–30 minutes. Let rest 10–15 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley if desired.
Notes
- Use ground turkey or lentils for a lighter or vegetarian version.
- Freeze cabbage head overnight and thaw for easy peeling—no boiling needed.
- Stuffed cabbage rolls freeze well baked or unbaked—add extra sauce before freezing.
- Add red pepper flakes or Worcestershire sauce for deeper flavor.
- Serve with crusty bread, salad, or mashed potatoes for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 90 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Eastern European
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cabbage roll
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 390mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: Classic Stuffed Cabbage Rolls, cabbage roll recipe, stuffed cabbage, comfort food, cabbage dinner idea, gluten-free cabbage rolls
