Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
Stuffed Cabbage Rolls are a comforting and wholesome meal featuring tender cabbage leaves wrapped around a seasoned mixture of ground meat, rice, and fresh herbs, all simmered in a rich tomato sauce. Ready in under an hour, this versatile and satisfying dish brings together protein, vegetables, and grains for a nostalgic and flavorful dinner ideal for busy weeknights or meal prep.
- Author: Lina
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Eastern European
- Diet: Gluten Free
Cabbage Leaves
- 1 head green cabbage (fresh and firm leaves)
Filling
- 1 lb ground beef or turkey
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 large egg
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley or dill, chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Tomato Sauce
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup water or broth
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional herbs (parsley, dill, or your choice), to taste
- Prepare the Cabbage Leaves: Trim the core from the cabbage and place the whole head in boiling water for a few minutes until the leaves become tender and pliable. Carefully peel off the largest leaves and set them aside to cool.
- Make the Filling: In a bowl, gently combine ground beef or turkey with cooked rice, finely chopped onions, minced garlic, egg, salt, pepper, and fresh herbs. Mix until evenly incorporated, taking care not to overwork the meat to maintain tenderness.
- Stuff and Roll: Lay one cabbage leaf flat on a surface. Place a spoonful of the filling near the base of the leaf, then roll tightly while folding in the sides to completely enclose the filling.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a separate bowl, mix tomato sauce with water or broth. Season with salt, pepper, and optional herbs to your preference. Pour a thin layer of the sauce into the bottom of your baking dish.
- Bake or Simmer: Arrange the stuffed cabbage rolls seam-side down in the baking dish. Pour the remaining sauce evenly over the rolls. Cover with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 40 minutes, or alternatively, simmer in a covered pot on the stovetop until cooked through.
Notes
- Choose fresh cabbage leaves that are pliable and free from tears for best results.
- Do not overfill the rolls to ensure they are neatly rolled and cook evenly.
- Test rolling one leaf first to perfect your technique before rolling all of them.
- Place the rolls snugly but not overcrowded in the baking dish to allow even cooking.
- Allow the dish to rest for a few minutes after cooking to let flavors meld beautifully.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: Stuffed Cabbage Rolls, Comfort Food, Cabbage, Ground Meat, Rice, Tomato Sauce, Easy Dinner, Weeknight Meal