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Home » Dinner » Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

Published: February 25, 2019 Last Modified: March 5, 2019 By Sara 370 Comments

Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

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Stuffed Cabbage Recipe | Cabbage Rolls | Baked Cabbage #cabbage #beef #rice #glutenfree #dinner #dinneratthezoo

This stuffed cabbage rolls recipe is cabbage leaves filled with beef and rice, coated in a homemade tomato sauce and baked to perfection. A comfort food classic that’s hearty, delicious and simple to make.

I’ve been eating stuffed cabbage since I was a child, and I’ve been working on this recipe for a long time to create the ultimate rendition of cabbage rolls. Serve your stuffed cabbage rolls with a side of mashed potatoes and broccoli, and watch the rave reviews pour in!

Stuffed Cabbage Recipe | Cabbage Rolls | Baked Cabbage #cabbage #beef #rice #glutenfree #dinner #dinneratthezoo Stuffed Cabbage Recipe | Cabbage Rolls | Baked Cabbage #cabbage #beef #rice #glutenfree #dinner #dinneratthezoo

Stuffed cabbage rolls filled with beef and rice then topped with homemade tomato sauce.

I grew up eating cabbage rolls, and I’ve had enough in my time to know the difference between a good cabbage roll and a less than stellar cabbage roll. My version of cabbage rolls features a flavorful beef and rice filling, and the rolls are cooked in a simple homemade tomato sauce for fabulous results.

How do you make stuffed cabbage rolls?

The first step is to make your filling. The filling is a combination of ground beef, cooked rice, onions, garlic, egg and seasonings. Everything gets mixed together to form the base of your dish.

Ground beef, onion garlic, rice and herbs in a mixing bowl.

The meat mixture gets wrapped up inside cooked cabbage leaves, then the cabbage rolls are layered in a baking dish on top of homemade tomato sauce and baked. This dish takes over an hour to bake because to want to make sure your meat is cooked through, so plan accordingly!

How do you get cabbage leaves off the head?

If you try to remove raw cabbage leaves from the cabbage head, you’ll want to slice off the root end and very carefully peel the leaves off to avoid tearing. Sometimes tearing is inevitable no matter how careful you are, so I’ve found the best method is to cook the head of cabbage first. Cut off the root end, then submerge your cabbage head in a pot of boiling water until the leaves are tender and can easily be peeled away.

Ground beef and rice on cooked cabbage leaves.

Tips for Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

  • You’ll need to cut thick part of the cabbage leaves away before you start rolling them up. I’ve found it’s easiest to take a paring knife and cut a V-shape out of the bottom of each leaf to remove the tough rib.
  • Place the cabbage rolls seam side down in the baking dish.
  • The homemade tomato sauce does contain brown sugar and vinegar, as cabbage rolls are traditionally baked in sweet and sour style sauce. If you don’t want to use brown sugar, you can omit it, but the flavor won’t be as authentic.
  • Cabbage rolls can be assembled and stored covered in the fridge for up to 8 hours before you plan to bake them.

Cabbage leaves wrapped around beef and rice in a baking dish.

How long do you bake stuffed cabbage rolls?

You’ll want to plan on baking your cabbage for a minimum of one hour. The cabbage should be tender and the meat cooked all the way through. I typically start checking at the hour mark, but have found that sometimes it can take as long as 1 hour 30 minutes for cabbage rolls to be ready.

Stuffed cabbage rolls in a baking dish in a pool of tomato sauce.

Cabbage Roll Soup

Love cabbage rolls but don’t want to go through all the effort of peeling and folding and baking? Try my easy and wildly popular cabbage roll soup instead!

Stuffed cabbage rolls served over mashed potatoes with a side of broccoli.

These stuffed cabbage rolls may be a little more work than your typical dinner, but they’re totally worth it the extra effort!

More great dinner options

  • Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff
  • Pizza Stuffed Shells
  • Stuffed Pepper Soup
  • Beef Noodle Casserole
  • Chicken Parmesan Pasta

Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Video

Stuffed cabbage rolls filled with beef and rice then topped with homemade tomato sauce.
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4.99 from 172 votes

Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

This stuffed cabbage rolls recipe is cabbage leaves filled with beef and rice, coated in a homemade tomato sauce and baked to perfection. A comfort food classic that's hearty, delicious and simple to make.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 336kcal
Author Sara Welch

Ingredients

For the tomato sauce

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 cup onion finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon garlic minced
  • 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes do not drain
  • 15 ounce can tomato sauce
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

For the cabbage rolls

  • 1 pound ground beef I use 90% lean
  • 1 cup cooked rice
  • 1/2 cup onion finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves chopped, divided use
  • 1 egg
  • 1 head cabbage
  • cooking spray

Instructions

  • For the tomato sauce: Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 4-5 minutes or until translucent.
  • Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, salt and pepper to the pot.
  • Stir in the brown sugar and red wine vinegar. Bring to a simmer.
  • Cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • While the sauce is simmering, assemble the cabbage rolls. Bring a large pot of  water to a boil.
  • Immerse the cabbage head in the boiling water. Cook for 3-5 minutes or until cabbage leaves are pliable. Peel 12 large leaves off the cabbage.
  • Place the ground beef, rice, onion, garlic, salt, pepper, 2 tablespoons of parsley and egg in a bowl. Add 1/2 cup of the tomato sauce to the bowl. Stir to combine. 
  • Lay each cabbage leaf on a flat surface. Use a small knife to cut a V-shaped notch to remove the thick part of the cabbage rib.
  • Shape 1/3 of a cup of the meat mixture into a log shape and place in the center of a cabbage leaf. Roll the cabbage leaf around the meat mixture. Repeat with remaining meat and cabbage leaves.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Coat a 9"x13" pan with cooking spray. Place 1/2 of the tomato sauce in the bottom of the baking dish. Place the cabbage rolls, seam side down, in the dish. Top with remaining sauce.
  • Cover with foil. Bake for 60-90 minutes or until cabbage is tender and meat is cooked through.
  • Sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons of parsley, then serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 336kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 86mg | Sodium: 657mg | Potassium: 1180mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 910IU | Vitamin C: 75mg | Calcium: 140mg | Iron: 5mg
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Filed Under: Dinner, Gluten Free, St. Patrick's Day

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    Comments

    1. Stef says

      January 22, 2023 at 5:05 pm

      5 stars
      We love this recipe! I make it with ground Turkey instead of beef. I also add about 1 lb of sauerkraut to the sauce mixture and it adds an extra tanginess. Have also boiled the cabbage, but prefer to do the microwave method. This recipe is delish! Thank you

      Reply
    2. Kathy says

      January 19, 2023 at 2:02 pm

      5 stars
      Loved it, but the sauce was a little runny. Do you know a way for the cabbage not to get waterlogged–I think that was the problem.

      Reply
      • Sara says

        January 20, 2023 at 9:14 am

        You can pat the leaves dry with paper towels after you cook them!

        Reply
    3. Liz says

      January 17, 2023 at 10:32 pm

      I will be making tomorrow but am already wondering about freezing? Any suggestions if it is possible?

      Reply
      • Sara says

        January 18, 2023 at 12:21 pm

        Yes it’s fine to freeze them!

        Reply
    4. Victoria says

      January 12, 2023 at 6:37 am

      Sounds delicious!!! Do I cook the rice first?

      Reply
      • Sara says

        January 12, 2023 at 12:25 pm

        The rice should be cooked!

        Reply
    5. Nicole says

      January 8, 2023 at 5:10 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious! Very filling. I could only eat one, for now. Only my husband and I and there is plenty for later and for tomorrow. Great meal for meal planning I’m sure. Can’t wait to eat the rest and make it again. Sauce was amazing!

      Reply
    6. Shannon C says

      January 2, 2023 at 10:01 am

      5 stars
      I just made these for our New Years dinner and it was AMAZING!! I followed the recipe 100% and even my pickiest eaters LOVED it! Thank you 🙂

      Reply
    7. Katie says

      December 23, 2022 at 4:47 am

      I’m making this for Christmas dinner on Sunday. Can I preassemble today or tomorrow?

      Reply
      • Sara says

        December 26, 2022 at 11:14 am

        Yes that’s fine.

        Reply
    8. Joyce bellamy says

      December 19, 2022 at 12:10 pm

      I don’t like rice what should I use

      Reply
      • Sara says

        December 19, 2022 at 1:03 pm

        You could try a different grain such as quinoa but I haven’t tested the recipe this way.

        Reply
    9. Butch says

      December 15, 2022 at 6:27 am

      5 stars
      It takes a little work but one of my favorite recipes and well worth it

      Reply
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