Hearty Homemade Stuffed Cabbage Rolls in Rich Tomato Sauce
Tender cabbage leaves wrapped around a savory filling of seasoned beef, fragrant rice, and fresh herbs, then gently baked in a luscious tomato sauce until perfectly tender. This classic comfort dish is warm, satisfying, and full of rich, home-cooked flavor—perfect for family dinners or special gatherings.
Ingredients
For the Cabbage Rolls
1 large green cabbage
500 g (1 lb) ground beef
1 cup uncooked white rice, rinsed
1 medium onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Tomato Sauce
2 cups tomato sauce
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 1/2 cups beef broth or water
1 teaspoon sugar
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes (optional)
For Garnish
Fresh chopped parsley
Instructions
Prepare the cabbage Bring a large pot of water to a gentle boil. Carefully place the whole cabbage into the water and cook for 3–5 minutes, or until the outer leaves soften. Remove the cabbage and gently peel away the softened leaves. Return the cabbage to the pot as needed until you have enough leaves. Trim the thick center rib from each leaf to make rolling easier.
Make the filling In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, rinsed rice, chopped onion, garlic, parsley, salt, black pepper, paprika, and cumin. Mix until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the filling tender.
Assemble the rolls Place one cabbage leaf on a flat surface. Add a small portion of the filling near the base of the leaf. Fold in the sides, then roll tightly into a neat bundle. Repeat with the remaining cabbage leaves and filling.
Arrange in the baking dish Lightly drizzle olive oil over the bottom of a deep baking dish or Dutch oven. Arrange the cabbage rolls seam-side down in a snug single layer, or stack them gently in two layers if necessary.
Prepare the sauce In a saucepan, combine the tomato sauce, tomato paste, beef broth, sugar, lemon juice, and chili flakes, if using. Stir well and bring to a gentle simmer for 3–4 minutes until smooth and slightly thickened.
Bake until tender Pour the warm tomato sauce evenly over the cabbage rolls, making sure they are well covered. Cover the dish tightly with foil or a lid. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes, or until the cabbage is tender and the rice is fully cooked.
Serve Let the cabbage rolls rest for 10 minutes before serving. Spoon extra sauce over the top and garnish generously with freshly chopped parsley.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these comforting cabbage rolls with crusty bread, creamy mashed potatoes, or a dollop of sour cream for an extra touch of richness.
Tips for Success
For even more flavor, use a mixture of ground beef and lamb.
If your cabbage leaves are small, overlap two leaves before filling.
These rolls taste even better the next day, making them perfect for meal prep.
Warm, hearty, and irresistibly comforting, these stuffed cabbage rolls are a timeless classic that always brings everyone back for seconds.
