🥬 Stuffed Cabbage Rolls (Classic, Tender & Saucy)
These old-school cabbage rolls are filled with seasoned beef and rice, then simmered in a rich tomato sauce until melt-in-your-mouth tender. Perfect for Sunday dinner or make-ahead meals.
🛒 Ingredients (Serves 6)
For the Cabbage
-
1 large green cabbage
-
Water + pinch of salt (for boiling)
For the Filling
-
1 lb ground beef (or beef/pork mix)
-
1 cup cooked white rice
-
½ cup onion, finely diced
-
2 cloves garlic, minced
-
1 egg
-
1 tsp salt
-
½ tsp black pepper
-
1 tsp paprika
-
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (optional)
For the Sauce
-
1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
-
1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
-
2 tbsp brown sugar
-
1 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar
-
1 tsp Italian seasoning
-
Salt & pepper to taste
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Prepare the Cabbage
-
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
-
Core the cabbage.
-
Carefully lower cabbage into boiling water.
-
As leaves soften (2–3 minutes), gently peel them off.
-
Set aside 10–12 large leaves.
-
Trim thick stem rib so leaves roll easily.
2️⃣ Make the Filling
In a large bowl, combine:
-
Ground beef
-
Cooked rice
-
Onion & garlic
-
Egg
-
Seasonings
Mix gently — don’t overwork.
3️⃣ Roll Them Up
-
Place 2–3 tablespoons filling at the base of each leaf.
-
Fold sides inward.
-
Roll tightly like a burrito.
4️⃣ Make the Sauce
In a bowl, mix crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, brown sugar, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, salt & pepper.
5️⃣ Bake
-
Spread a little sauce in bottom of a 9×13 dish.
-
Arrange cabbage rolls seam-side down.
-
Pour remaining sauce over top.
-
Cover tightly with foil.
-
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 1 hour 15 minutes.
🔥 Slow Cooker Option
-
Layer rolls and sauce.
-
Cook on LOW 6–7 hours.
✨ Grandma Tips
-
Freeze the whole cabbage overnight and thaw — leaves peel easily without boiling.
-
Add a handful of chopped cabbage in the sauce for extra flavor.
-
They taste even better the next day.
🥔 Serve With
-
Mashed potatoes
-
Buttered noodles
-
Crusty bread
-
Sour cream on top (optional)
If you’d like, I can also give you:
-
Polish-style version
-
Southern-style sweet tomato version
-
Keto/low-carb version
-
Turkey cabbage rolls
-
Creamy mushroom sauce version
Which style are you craving?