Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

Stuffed Cabbage Rolls: A Classic Comfort Food You’ll Crave Again and Again

Stuffed cabbage rolls are one of those timeless recipes that evoke memories of family dinners, warmth, and home-cooked goodness. Whether you grew up with them or are discovering them for the first time, these hearty bundles of cabbage, meat, and rice wrapped in a rich tomato sauce are the epitome of comfort food.

This dish has deep roots in Eastern European, Middle Eastern, and Mediterranean cuisine, with countless regional variations. But the basic idea remains the same: take tender cabbage leaves, fill them with a savory mixture, and bake them in a flavorful sauce. The result is a dish that’s hearty, satisfying, and packed with flavor.

Let’s dive into how you can make your own delicious stuffed cabbage rolls right at home.

🥬 Why You’ll Love Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

• Comforting and filling – A complete meal in one tidy little package.
• Perfect for make-ahead meals – Great for batch cooking and leftovers.
• Nutritious and balanced – Full of protein, fiber, and vitamins.
• Endlessly adaptable – Swap in your favorite meats, grains, or sauces.

🛒 Ingredients

For the cabbage rolls:

• 1 large head of green cabbage
• 1 lb ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
• 1/2 cup cooked rice
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 egg
• Salt and pepper, to taste

For the sauce:

• 2 cups tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste (for richness)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar (to balance acidity)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Optional: a pinch of paprika or a splash of vinegar for extra depth

👩‍🍳 How to Make Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

Step 1: Prepare the Cabbage

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
2. Core the cabbage and place the whole head into the boiling water. As it softens, carefully peel off the leaves with tongs.
3. Set the leaves aside to cool. You’ll need about 10–12 good-sized leaves for rolling.

Tip: If the cabbage leaves are too stiff to roll, boil them a little longer or cut out the thick vein at the base of each leaf to make them more pliable.

Step 2: Make the Filling

1. In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, cooked rice, chopped onion, garlic, egg, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until well combined.
2. Avoid overmixing to keep the filling tender.

Step 3: Assemble the Rolls

1. Take a cabbage leaf and place a spoonful of the filling near the base.
2. Fold in the sides, then roll up tightly like a burrito.
3. Repeat until all the filling is used.
4. Next→