🥬 Stuffed Cabbage Rolls (Hearty & Comforting)
Stuffed cabbage rolls are tender cabbage leaves filled with seasoned meat and rice, simmered in a rich tomato sauce. It’s a classic comfort dish found in many cuisines.
🧾 Ingredients (4–6 servings)
🥬 Cabbage
- 1 large green cabbage head
🥩 Filling
- 500g ground beef (or beef + pork mix)
- 1 cup cooked rice (slightly undercooked is fine)
- 1 small onion (finely chopped)
- 2–3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp parsley (optional)
🍅 Sauce
- 2 cups tomato sauce (or crushed tomatoes)
- 1 cup beef broth or water
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp sugar (balances acidity)
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp oil or butter
🍳 Instructions
1. Soften the cabbage
- Bring a large pot of water to boil.
- Carefully remove cabbage leaves.
- Boil leaves for 2–3 minutes until soft and flexible.
- Let cool, then trim thick center veins for easier rolling.
2. Make the filling
- Mix ground meat, cooked rice, onion, garlic, egg, and seasonings.
- Combine well but don’t overmix.
3. Roll the cabbage
- Place a spoonful of filling in each leaf.
- Fold sides inward, then roll tightly like a wrap.
4. Prepare the sauce
- In a pot or baking dish, mix tomato sauce, broth, tomato paste, sugar, and seasoning.
- Add oil or butter for richness.
5. Cook the rolls
🍲 Stovetop method
- Place rolls seam-side down in a pot.
- Pour sauce over them.
- Cover and simmer on low for 1.5–2 hours.
🔥 Oven method
- Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 1.5–2 hours, covered with foil.
6. Finish & serve
- Let rest 10 minutes before serving.
- Spoon extra sauce on top.
🍽️ Serving ideas
- Mashed potatoes
- Crusty bread
- Sour cream on the side
🔥 Tips & Variations
- Add bacon bits to the filling for smoky flavor
- Use sauerkraut instead of tomato sauce for a tangy version
- Freeze uncooked rolls for easy meal prep
- Add a splash of lemon juice to brighten the sauce
😋 Result
Tender cabbage wrapped around juicy meat and rice, simmered in a rich tomato sauce—warm, filling, and deeply comforting.
If you want, I can also make:
- Slow cooker cabbage rolls
- Lazy cabbage roll casserole (no rolling needed)
- Spicy Eastern European style version
- Low-carb cabbage roll bowl (no rice)
