Description
This classic Old-Fashioned Stuffed Cabbage Rolls recipe features tender cabbage leaves filled with a savory mixture of ground beef, pork, rice, and spices, baked in a rich tomato sauce. A hearty and comforting Eastern European dish that’s perfect for family dinners or holiday meals.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cabbage Rolls
- 1 large head green cabbage
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound ground pork
- 1 cup cooked white rice
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
For the Tomato Sauce
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 1 cup crushed tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
- Prepare the cabbage leaves: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Carefully remove the core from the cabbage and place the whole head in the boiling water. Cook for 5–7 minutes, then gently peel off softened outer leaves and set aside. Continue boiling remaining cabbage as needed to soften about 12 large leaves.
- Make the filling: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, cooked rice, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, egg, salt, black pepper, and paprika. Mix thoroughly until well combined.
- Assemble the rolls: Lay one cabbage leaf flat and place about 1/4 cup of the meat mixture in the center. Fold in the sides of the leaf and roll tightly, similar to a burrito. Repeat this process with the remaining leaves and filling.
- Prepare the sauce: In a separate bowl, stir together the tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, brown sugar, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and water until well combined.
- Arrange and bake: Pour a thin layer of the tomato sauce into the bottom of a large baking dish. Arrange the cabbage rolls seam-side down in the dish, then pour the remaining sauce evenly over the top. Cover the dish with foil.
- Bake the rolls: Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 1 hour. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15–20 minutes until the sauce is bubbling and the cabbage rolls are cooked through.
- Rest and serve: Remove from the oven and let the rolls rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle.
Notes
- You can prepare these cabbage rolls ahead of time and refrigerate them overnight before baking for convenience.
- For a leaner version, substitute ground turkey for the beef and pork mixture.
