🥬 Delicious Homemade Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
Stuffed cabbage rolls are a comforting, classic dish featuring tender cabbage leaves wrapped around a savory filling of meat, rice, and spices, simmered in a rich tomato sauce. Perfect for family dinners!
🛒 Ingredients
For the cabbage rolls:
- 1 large head of cabbage
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme or parsley
For the sauce:
- 2 cups tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, balances acidity)
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup water or broth
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Prepare the Cabbage
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
- Carefully core the cabbage.
- Boil the whole head for 5–10 minutes until outer leaves are soft.
- Peel leaves one by one and set aside to cool.
2️⃣ Make the Filling
- In a large bowl, combine ground meat, cooked rice, chopped onion, garlic, egg, paprika, salt, pepper, and thyme/parsley.
- Mix until well combined.
3️⃣ Assemble the Rolls
- Place 2–3 tablespoons of filling on the center of a cabbage leaf.
- Fold the sides over and roll tightly. Repeat with remaining leaves and filling.
4️⃣ Prepare the Sauce
- In a saucepan, combine tomato sauce, tomato paste, olive oil, sugar, water/broth, salt, and pepper.
- Bring to a gentle simmer.
5️⃣ Cook the Rolls
- Place cabbage rolls seam-side down in a large baking dish or deep skillet.
- Pour tomato sauce over the rolls, covering them completely.
- Cover with a lid or foil and simmer on low heat for 45–60 minutes until cabbage is tender and filling is cooked through.
6️⃣ Serve
Serve warm with extra sauce. Optional: garnish with fresh parsley or a dollop of sour cream.
💡 Tips for Perfect Cabbage Rolls
- Trim thick veins from cabbage leaves so they roll easily.
- Use a mix of beef and pork for richer flavor.
- You can make them ahead and refrigerate — they taste even better the next day.
- Freeze leftover rolls with sauce for up to 3 months.
These homemade stuffed cabbage rolls are hearty, flavorful, and perfect for cozy dinners or holiday meals.
If you want, I can also provide a slow cooker version that makes them even easier to prepare.
