Stuffed Cabbage Rolls are hearty and tasty, filled with rice, ground meat, and cooked in a delicious tomato-based sauce!
Stuffed Cabbage Rolls recipe is made with cabbage leaves stuffed with a flavorful mixture of ground meat and rice. After that baked to perfection in a tomato-based sauce. A delicious and filling dinner, which also freezes well, so you can meal plan and prepare it in advance. A complete meal on its own with protein, carbs, and fiber!
Casserole recipes are a staple around here, and this one is definitely a favorite. I like how this classic dish is so easy to prepare, and a great way to use some leftover rice. Since this recipe is so popular on the blog, we have made a slow cooker version for you to enjoy. Also, if you are short on time, we recommend you try this Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls recipe. It has the same great flavors, but it cuts down the prep work.
baked stuffed cabbage rolls in a casserole dish
The cabbage leaves themselves are not so flavorful, but they make a nice and sturdy wrap whose flavor simply matches the beefiness. They serve as a blanket and hold together the delicious meat mixture.
Also, I like how you can easily serve each portion of this dish in individual rolls, with no hassle and great presentation.
While the recipe has a few steps, they are totally worth it. First, I encourage you to make a double batch of homemade tomato sauce. Because it is so good, and you can store it in the fridge and use it on pasta during the week. This way you plan in advance and save yourself some extra effort!
collage of ingredients and steps how to make stuffed cabbage rolls
Ingredients needed:
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For the Homemade Tomato Sauce:
Olive oil: We use extra virgin.
Onion: I like to finely dice it, so it almost melts when cooked.
Garlic: Use fresh for the optimal flavor.
Crushed tomatoes: Make sure that you use sweeter tomatoes, that is not too acidic, I like San Marzano.
Tomato sauce
Tomato paste
Salt and pepper
Brown sugar: We add just a little to balance the tangy tomato sauce.
Red wine vinegar
Worcestershire sauce: It enhances the meat flavor
Dried Italian herbs
Classic Cabbage Rolls:
Lean ground beef: Leaner is better.
Cooked rice: Use white or brown rice, even other grains, like quinoa or bulgur will work.
Onion powder
Garlic: We use fresh, but garlic powder also can be used.
Seasonings: Salt, pepper, paprika, dried Italian herbs.
Worcestershire sauce
Fresh parsley
Egg
A whole head of cabbage: Savoy cabbage works great.
How do you make traditional stuffed cabbage rolls:
Stuffed cabbage rolls recipe or golabki
The aroma that this dish gives off as it cooks simply brings back memories from my childhood when my mom used to cook it for us!
Each bite is meaty, juicy, and perfectly balanced with the rice. The mixture of herbs and spices also plays an important role in making the flavors shine. The tomato sauce is a real winner in this dish, too. The homemade tomato sauce is outstanding, simmer to perfection with flavorful herbs!
Make the sauce: First step is to place a large skillet over medium heat and sauté the aromatics in oil, then, add the tomatoes, tomato-based ingredients, and seasonings. Next, add in the rest of the sauce ingredients and allow it to simmer for about 10 to 15 minutes.
Prepare the leaves: Put the head of cabbage in a large pot of boiling water and cook cabbage for about 3 to 5 minutes. After that, remove the cooked cabbage and once the outer leaves are flexible enough to work with, peel off about 12 leaves.
Assemble: Next, in a large bowl combine the rice filling ingredients along with some of the tomato sauce. After that, lay a prepared leaf flat on a flat surface and using a paring knife or sharp knife, slice the thick vein or otherwise called thick rib. Afterward, put the meat mixture onto the bottom of each leaf and roll away. Do this repeatedly until you consume the leaves and the filling.
Prepare for baking: Thereafter, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and lightly grease a 9×13 baking pan.
Bake: Pour half of the sauce into the bottom of the pan and line up the cabbage rolls seam side down. Then, pour the remaining sauce on top and cover the pan with foil. Finally, bake until thoroughly cooked. Keep in mind that the filling must be thoroughly cooked, and it takes about an hour to finish cooking. Therefore, make sure to start checking after 45 minutes or so.
adding tomato sauce on top of a stuffed cabbage roll in a baking dish
Recipe variations:
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