Here’s a complete, classic recipe for Stuffed Cabbage Rolls—hearty, comforting, and perfect for a family meal.
Ingredients (Serves 6–8)
For the filling:
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
- 1 cup cooked rice (white, brown, or a mix)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1–2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp paprika (optional)
- 1 tsp dried herbs (thyme, parsley, or dill)
For the cabbage rolls:
- 1 large head of cabbage
- 2–3 cups tomato sauce (or crushed tomatoes)
- 1 cup beef or chicken broth
- 1 tbsp brown sugar (optional, balances acidity)
- 1 tbsp vinegar (optional, for a tangy kick)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the cabbage:
- Bring a large pot of water to boil.
- Core the cabbage and gently separate leaves.
- Blanch leaves in boiling water for 2–3 minutes until pliable. Drain and cool.
- Make the filling:
- In a bowl, combine ground beef, cooked rice, onion, garlic, egg, salt, pepper, paprika, and herbs. Mix well.
- Assemble the rolls:
- Lay a cabbage leaf flat. Trim the thick stem if needed.
- Place ~2–3 tablespoons of filling near the base of the leaf.
- Fold the sides over the filling and roll tightly. Repeat with remaining leaves and filling.
- Prepare the sauce:
- Mix tomato sauce, broth, brown sugar, vinegar, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
- Cook the rolls:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large baking dish or Dutch oven, spread a bit of sauce on the bottom.
- Arrange cabbage rolls seam-side down in the dish.
- Pour remaining sauce over the rolls. Cover tightly with foil.
- Bake 1–1.5 hours until cabbage is tender and filling is cooked through.
- Serve:
- Spoon extra sauce over rolls. Serve with mashed potatoes or crusty bread.
💡 Tips:
- For extra flavor, sauté onions and garlic before adding to the filling.
- Leftovers taste even better the next day as the flavors meld.
- You can freeze cooked rolls individually, then reheat in sauce.
If you want, I can also give a stovetop, quicker version that doesn’t require baking but is just as flavorful—perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Do you want me to provide that version?
