Description
This classic Old-Fashioned Stuffed Cabbage Rolls recipe features tender cabbage leaves wrapped around a savory mixture of ground beef, ground pork, cooked rice, and aromatic spices, all baked in a rich tomato sauce. Perfect for a hearty main course, these comfort food rolls offer a delicious taste of Eastern European cuisine and can be prepared ahead or frozen for convenience.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cabbage Rolls:
- 1 large head green cabbage
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef
- ½ pound ground pork
- 1 cup cooked white rice
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
For the Sauce:
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ cup water
Instructions
- Prepare the Cabbage Leaves: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Carefully remove the core from the cabbage and gently separate the leaves. Blanch the leaves in boiling water for 2-3 minutes until pliable. Drain and set aside to cool.
- Make the Filling: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, cooked rice, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, beaten egg, salt, black pepper, paprika, and chopped fresh parsley. Mix gently until just combined to keep the texture tender.
- Assemble the Rolls: Lay a cabbage leaf flat on a clean surface. Place about ¼ cup of the meat mixture in the center of the leaf. Fold in the sides over the filling and roll up tightly like a burrito. Repeat with the remaining leaves and filling mixture.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together the tomato sauce, undrained diced tomatoes, tomato paste, brown sugar, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and water until well combined.
- Assemble in Baking Dish: Spread a thin layer of the tomato sauce on the bottom of a large baking dish. Arrange the cabbage rolls seam-side down in a single layer in the dish. Pour the remaining sauce evenly over the rolls.
- Bake: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 1 hour and 30 minutes, or until the cabbage is tender and the meat is fully cooked through.
- Serve: Remove from oven and let the rolls cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your comforting, homemade stuffed cabbage rolls warm.
Notes
- For a quicker alternative, use pre-shredded coleslaw mix and layer the filling and sauce casserole-style.
- These cabbage rolls freeze well—just cool completely, then store in airtight containers for up to 3 months.
- You can add more parsley or substitute with dill for a different flavor twist.
- If preferred, ground turkey can be used instead of beef and pork for a leaner version.
