The Perfect Cabbage Rolls Recipe for Cozy Family Dinners

Traditional cabbage rolls capture the essence of comfort food with their rustic, soul-warming appeal.

These delectable parcels represent a culinary tradition passed down through generations of home cooks.

Wrapped in soft, pliable leaves, the rolls cradle a robust mixture of carefully seasoned ingredients.

Generations have celebrated this dish as a testament to resourceful cooking that crafts simple components into something extraordinary.

The preparation requires patience and love, crafting basic ingredients into a meal that speaks directly to the heart.

Each bite tells a story of cultural heritage and familial connection.

You’ll want to gather around the table and savor every delicious morsel.

Traditional Cabbage Rolls: A Comforting Meal

• Craft Comfort in Every Bite: Sink your teeth into these cabbage rolls that wrap hearty ground beef and tender rice in soft cabbage leaves, creating a warm, satisfying meal that feels like a hug on a plate.
• Master a Simple Culinary Technique: Learn an easy rolling method that transforms humble ingredients into an impressive dish, perfect for home cooks wanting to elevate their skills without complex procedures.
• Nutritional Powerhouse Disguised as Comfort Food: Packed with 30g of protein, essential nutrients, and balanced macronutrients, these cabbage rolls deliver a wholesome meal that doesn't compromise on flavor or satisfaction.

Key Ingredients for Traditional Cabbage Rolls

• Crushed Tomatoes: Rich, tangy base for the sauce that adds depth and moisture.
• Tomato Paste: Provides concentrated tomato flavor and helps thicken the sauce.
• Balsamic Vinegar: Adds subtle sweetness and complexity to the sauce.
• Brown Sugar: Balances acidity and adds gentle sweetness to the sauce.
• Oregano: Classic herb that brings Mediterranean flavor to the sauce.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings for enhancing overall taste.

• Ground Beef: Hearty main protein that creates a substantial and flavorful filling.
• Rice: Uncooked grain that absorbs flavors and helps bind the filling together.
• Breadcrumbs: Adds texture and helps hold the fillings structure.
• Parsley: Fresh herb that brings brightness and color to the filling.

• Cabbage Leaves: Tender wrapper for the rolls, providing a delicate and nutritious exterior.
• Onion: Adds sweetness and aromatic depth to both sauce and filling.
• Garlic: Provides intense, sharp flavor to the sauce.
• Cooking Oil: Used for sautéing and preventing sticking.

How to Make Traditional Cabbage Rolls

Step 1: Prepare Flavorful Sauce

Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat and sauté the onions for 5 minutes.

Add tomato paste and garlic, cooking for 1 more minute to deepen the flavor.

Stir in crushed tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, and oregano.

Let the sauce simmer for 20 minutes, then season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 2: Soften Cabbage Leaves

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and dunk the cabbage leaves in for 1 minute.

Drain them right away and trim the thick center ribs with a sharp knife so they roll easily.

Step 3: Create Savory Filling

In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, uncooked rice, breadcrumbs, chopped onion, chopped parsley, a bit of the prepared sauce, salt, and pepper.

Mix everything together until well blended.

Step 4: Assemble Cabbage Rolls

Spread a thin layer of sauce on the bottom of a baking dish.

Place a scoop of filling on each cabbage leaf, roll them tightly, and tuck in the sides.

Arrange the rolls seam-side down in the dish.

Step 5: Bake and Serve

Pour the remaining sauce over the cabbage rolls and cover the dish with foil.

Bake at 350°F for 1 hour and 15 minutes until fully cooked.

Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving and enjoy warm.

Tips for Perfect Traditional Cabbage Rolls

• Soften Cabbage Leaves Perfectly: Blanch leaves just until pliable to prevent tearing and make rolling easier.
• Balance Meat Mixture Texture: Use a light touch when mixing ingredients to keep the filling tender and prevent dense, tough rolls.
• Control Sauce Consistency: Simmer sauce slowly to develop rich flavors and achieve a thick, clingy texture that coats the cabbage rolls.
• Prevent Burning: Cover dish tightly with foil to trap moisture and ensure even cooking without drying out the rolls.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Add a splash of red wine to the sauce for extra complexity and richness in the final dish.

Storing and Reheating Traditional Cabbage Rolls

• Refrigerate method: Transfer cooled cabbage rolls into an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Seal tightly to prevent moisture loss and maintain flavor integrity.
• Freezing method: Wrap individual cabbage rolls in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for maximum 3 months. Label container with date to track freshness.
• Reheating method: Warm cabbage rolls gently in microwave or oven. For microwave, cover with damp paper towel and heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes. In oven, place rolls in baking dish, add splash of water, cover with foil, and reheat at 350°F for 15-20 minutes until thoroughly warm. Check internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.

Pairing Traditional Cabbage Rolls with Sides

• Pair with Bold Red Wine: Complement the rich, hearty flavors of cabbage rolls with a robust red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Zinfandel. These wines cut through the meat's richness and match the tomato sauce's acidity perfectly.
• Serve with Tangy Sour Cream: Add a cool, creamy dollop of sour cream on top to balance the warm, spiced filling. The tanginess creates a delightful contrast with the savory meat and tomato sauce.
• Rustic Bread Side: Serve with crusty sourdough or rye bread to soak up the delicious sauce. The bread's robust texture and slight tanginess enhance the cabbage rolls' complex flavor profile.
• Fresh Cucumber Salad: Prepare a light cucumber salad with dill and vinegar to cut through the dish's heaviness. The crisp, refreshing side provides a clean palate cleanser between bites of the rich cabbage rolls.

Variations of Traditional Cabbage Rolls

• Mediterranean Lamb Remix: Replace ground beef with ground lamb, add mint leaves, and incorporate feta cheese into the filling for a Greek-inspired version.
• Vegetarian Quinoa Wrap: Swap meat with cooked quinoa, black beans, and diced bell peppers, using vegetable broth instead of traditional sauce for a plant-based alternative.
• Spicy Korean Fusion: Incorporate gochujang paste into the sauce, use ground pork, add kimchi to the filling, and garnish with green onions for a bold Korean-style cabbage roll.
• Mediterranean Seafood Edition: Use chopped shrimp and crab meat as the protein, mix with dill and lemon zest, and create a lighter white wine-based sauce for a seafood variation.

Cabbage Rolls Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Polish cabbage rolls nestle hearty ground meat and rice within tender cabbage leaves, simmered in a rich tomato sauce. Comfort emerges from this classic Eastern European dish that welcomes you to savor generations of culinary warmth and tradition.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 15 cabbage leaves
• ¼ cup uncooked white rice

Filling Ingredients:

• ¼ cup Italian bread crumbs
• ½ large onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley
• Kosher salt to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Sauce Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• ½ large onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• Kosher salt to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Craft a robust tomato-based sauce by heating olive oil in a skillet over medium temperature, gently sautéing finely chopped onions until translucent for approximately 4-5 minutes.
2. Incorporate minced garlic and tomato paste into the skillet, stirring constantly to prevent burning and develop a rich flavor profile.
3. Pour crushed tomatoes into the mixture, then introduce balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, and dried oregano, allowing the sauce to simmer and reduce for 15-20 minutes until slightly thickened.
4. Season the sauce with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, then set aside to cool slightly while preparing the cabbage leaves.
5. Fill a large pot with water and bring to a rolling boil, carefully submerge whole cabbage leaves for 45-60 seconds until they become pliable and flexible.
6. Remove cabbage leaves using tongs, drain excess water, and delicately trim the tough central rib using a sharp paring knife to ensure easy rolling.
7. In a spacious mixing bowl, combine ground beef (80% lean), uncooked long-grain white rice, breadcrumbs, finely diced onion, chopped fresh parsley, of prepared tomato sauce, kosher salt, and black pepper.
8. Gently mix the ingredients using clean hands, ensuring even distribution without overworking the meat mixture.
9. Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce across the bottom of a 9×13 inch (23×33 centimeter) baking dish to prevent sticking.
10. Place approximately ⅓ cup of meat mixture near the bottom edge of each cabbage leaf, carefully roll and tuck the sides to create compact parcels.
11. Arrange the cabbage rolls seam-side down in the prepared baking dish, ensuring they are snugly positioned.
12. Pour remaining tomato sauce evenly over the cabbage rolls, completely covering them.
13. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil, creating a sealed environment for even cooking.
14. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 1 hour and 10-15 minutes, until the internal temperature of the rolls reaches 160°F (71°C).
15. Remove foil during the last 10 minutes of cooking to allow slight caramelization of the sauce.
16. Let the cabbage rolls rest for 5-7 minutes after removing from the oven, then garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.

Notes

• Prepare this hearty dish when craving comfort food with a nostalgic Eastern European twist.
• Freezing leftovers works perfectly, maintaining delicious flavors for up to three months in airtight containers.
• Swap ground beef with plant-based alternatives like lentils or Beyond Meat for vegetarian-friendly version.
• Choose sturdy, large cabbage leaves without tears to ensure smooth, tight rolling and even cooking.
• Customize spice levels by adding red pepper flakes or smoked paprika to the sauce for extra kick.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Eastern European

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 500 kcal
• Sugar: 8g
• Sodium: 850mg
• Fat: 25g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12g
• Trans Fat: 0.5g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 30g
• Cholesterol: 80mg