Description
These Stuffed Cabbage Rolls are a comforting classic made with tender cabbage leaves wrapped around a savory blend of ground beef, rice, onion, and garlic, then simmered in a rich tomato sauce. Perfect for easy dinner ideas, meal prep, or cozy food ideas that reheat beautifully. This hearty and healthy dinner recipe brings a nostalgic, homestyle touch to your weekly meal rotation.
Ingredients
1 large head green cabbage
1 pound ground beef
1/2 cup uncooked white rice
1 small onion finely chopped
2 cloves garlic minced
1 egg
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
28 ounces crushed tomatoes
8 ounces tomato sauce
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion chopped
2 cloves garlic minced
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon vinegar (white or apple cider)
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Core the cabbage and boil it for 3–5 minutes, peeling off softened leaves. Trim thick stems and set aside.
2. In a bowl, combine ground beef, uncooked rice, chopped onion, garlic, egg, salt, pepper, paprika, and parsley. Mix well.
3. In a saucepan, heat olive oil and sauté chopped onion until translucent. Add garlic, then stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, sugar, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Simmer 10 minutes.
4. Place 2 tablespoons of filling on each cabbage leaf. Fold sides in and roll up tightly.
5. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread some sauce in a baking dish. Add rolls seam-side down, pour remaining sauce on top.
6. Cover with foil and bake for 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes until cabbage is tender and filling is cooked.
Notes
Use green cabbage for the most pliable leaves, or substitute with savoy for a more delicate flavor.
You can prep the rolls up to 24 hours in advance and bake when ready.
Add a splash of broth or extra sauce when reheating to keep them moist.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Eastern European
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1–2 rolls
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 65mg