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Delicious homemade stuffed cabbage rolls served on a plate

Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

Stuffed cabbage rolls are a hearty and comforting dish combining delicious filling wrapped in tender cabbage leaves, topped with savory sauce. They're easy to make and perfect for family meals.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Comfort Food, Eastern European
Calories: 250
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Cabbage Rolls
  • 1 large head green cabbage (about 12–15 leaves)
  • 1 lb ground beef (or a mix of beef & pork)
  • 1 cup cooked white rice (about ½ cup uncooked)
  • 1 medium onion (finely chopped)
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 large egg (lightly beaten)
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped or 1 tsp dried)
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
For the Sauce
  • 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
  • 1 medium onion (finely chopped)
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 can (28 oz / 800 g) crushed tomatoes (or tomato puree)
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp sugar (to balance acidity)
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp dried oregano (or Italian seasoning)
  • ½ tsp salt (to taste)
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 cup beef or chicken broth

Method
 

Preparation of Cabbage Rolls
  1. Bring a pot of water to boil. Carefully remove the leaves from the cabbage head and blanch them in the boiling water for a few minutes until they are tender.
  2. In a large bowl, mix together ground beef, cooked rice, chopped onion, minced garlic, beaten egg, parsley, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
  3. Take a cabbage leaf and place a portion of the filling at the base of the leaf. Roll it up tightly and tuck in the sides to seal.
Preparation of Sauce
  1. In a large pot, heat olive oil or butter over medium heat. Add chopped onion and garlic, cooking until soft.
  2. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, paprika, oregano, salt, pepper, and broth. Allow to simmer for a few minutes.
  3. Place the rolled cabbage in the sauce, cover, and let cook for about 30-40 minutes until the cabbage is tender and the filling is cooked through.

Notes

Serve warm drizzled with extra sauce. Pairs nicely with a salad or crusty bread. For a comforting twist, add a dollop of sour cream on top. Leftover cabbage rolls can be stored for up to four days in the refrigerator.