Cabbage Rolls Recipe: Comforting and Totally Homemade

If you’ve never made a homemade cabbage rolls recipe, you’re in for the coziest treat. I grew up eating stuffed cabbage on chilly weekends — the scent of tomatoes, beef, and tender cabbage simmering away reminds me of my grandma’s warm kitchen.

This recipe nails that nostalgic flavor but keeps it simple and realistic for any home cook. You’ll learn how to prep cabbage leaves so they’re soft and easy to roll, how to make a savory meat and rice filling, and how to bake them in a tangy tomato sauce until everything’s melt-in-your-mouth delicious.

So grab your apron — we’re bringing old-school comfort right to your table. I promise, you won’t believe how satisfying these cabbage rolls are, whether you’re making them for Sunday dinner or a cozy weeknight meal.

Why You’ll Love This Cabbage Rolls Recipe

• Classic comfort food that warms you up from the inside out.
• Kid-friendly and picky-eater approved — who can resist tender rolls smothered in sauce?
• Flexible: swap beef for sausage, turkey, or even make it veggie.
• Great for meal prep: make a big batch, freeze some, enjoy later.
• Uses pantry staples like rice, ground meat, tomato soup, and spices.

If you’ve been craving a hearty stuffed cabbage rolls recipe, this one will hit the spot.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the cabbage rolls:

• 1 large head of green cabbage
• 1½ pounds ground beef (or half beef, half sausage)
• 1 cup cooked long grain white rice
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 large egg
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper

For the sauce:

• 2 cans (10.75 oz each) condensed tomato soup
• 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce (or diced tomatoes)
• 2 tbsp brown sugar (optional — for a sweet touch)
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste

Mini tip: bring a large pot of boiling water for the cabbage — the leaves come off easier!

Ingredient Substitutions

• Ground beef: Try ground pork, turkey, or a beef and sausage mix for extra richness.
• Rice: White rice is classic, but brown rice or even quinoa works for a twist.
• Tomato soup: Sub with crushed tomatoes or homemade marinara if you prefer.
• Egg: Skip it if you’re out; it just helps bind the filling but isn’t essential.
• Brown sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness, but you can leave it out for a tangier sauce.

How to Make Classic Cabbage Rolls

1️⃣ Prep the cabbage leaves (15–20 min)

• Bring a large pot of water to a gentle boil.
• Carefully remove the core from your head of cabbage using a sharp knife.
• Place the whole head in the boiling water for a few minutes.
• Peel off each leaf with tongs as it loosens, then return the rest of the head to the pot.
• Set tender leaves aside to cool.

2️⃣ Make the filling (5–10 min)

• In a large bowl, combine ground beef, cooked rice, chopped onion, garlic, egg, salt, and pepper.
• Use clean hands to gently mix — don’t overwork it or the filling gets tough.

3️⃣ Make the sauce (2–3 min)

• In another bowl, whisk together tomato soup, tomato sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and a pinch of salt and pepper.

4️⃣ Assemble the rolls (15–20 min)

• Lay a cabbage leaf flat, place 2–3 tablespoons of filling in the center.
• Fold in the sides and roll up tightly, like a burrito.
• Place each roll seam side down in a large baking dish.

5️⃣ Pour sauce and bake (1½ hours)

• Pour the sauce evenly over the rolls.
• Cover dish tightly with foil.
• Bake at 350°F for 1½ hours, or until meat is cooked through and cabbage is tender.

Expert Tips for Success

• Use a big pot: Don’t fight tough cabbage leaves — the bigger your pot of boiling water, the easier the leaves come off.
• Cook rice ahead: Slightly undercook your rice so it stays firm in the rolls.
• Check seasoning: Fry a tiny bit of the filling first if you want to taste for salt.
• Avoid over-packing: Too much filling makes the rolls tear and fall apart.
• Let them rest: After baking, rest for 10–15 minutes for easier serving.

Variations & Add-Ons

• Gluten-free: Double-check that your tomato soup or sauce is gluten-free, and you’re all set.
• Low-carb: Swap rice for cauliflower rice — it works surprisingly well!
• Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the filling for a kick.
• Herbs: Fresh dill or parsley brightens up the flavor.
• Cheesy: Sprinkle shredded cheese on top during the last 10 minutes of baking for a melty finish.

Serving Suggestions

These cabbage rolls are a hearty main dish on their own.

• Pair with mashed potatoes, crusty bread, or buttered noodles.
• A simple green salad adds freshness.
• Want more cozy vibes? Serve with a side of sour cream or extra sauce for dipping.

Storage & Reheating

How to store:

• Store leftover rolls in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Reheat:

• Microwave individual rolls until heated through.
• Or place them in a covered baking dish, splash with extra sauce, and warm in a 350°F oven for 20–25 minutes.

Freezing:

• Arrange cooled rolls in a freezer-safe dish, cover tightly with foil, and freeze up to 3 months.
• Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Nutrition Information

Approximate per-serving (1–2 rolls):

• Calories: 350
• Protein: 24g
• Carbs: 30g
• Fat: 12g
• Fiber, Sodium: Varies based on sauce.

Prep, Cook, and Total Time

• Prep Time: 30 min
• Cook Time: 90 min
• Total Time: 2 hours

Conclusion

So there you have it — a classic cabbage rolls recipe you’ll turn to every time you crave hearty comfort food. It’s cozy, old-fashioned, and surprisingly easy to pull off, even if you’ve never rolled a leaf in your life. Give it a try this week — and don’t forget to leave a comment, rate the recipe, or share your own tasty twist!

Cabbage Rolls Recipe

These hearty cabbage rolls are stuffed with a savory mixture of beef, rice, and herbs, simmered in a tangy tomato sauce until tender. Comfort food that’s nostalgic, satisfying, and surprisingly simple to make at home.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 45 minutes mins

Course Main Dish

Cuisine American, Eastern European

Servings 6 Servings

Calories 320 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 1 large head of green cabbage
• 1 pound ground beef or half beef, half sausage
• 1 cup cooked white rice
• 1 small onion finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 egg beaten
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika optional
• 1 can 15 ounces tomato sauce or tomato soup
• 1 can 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes, undrained
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
• ½ cup water or beef broth
• Fresh parsley for garnish optional

Instructions

 

• Prep the cabbage: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Carefully remove the core from the cabbage. Submerge the whole head in boiling water for a few minutes, then peel off the softened outer leaves. Repeat until you have about 12 good leaves.
• Make the filling: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, cooked rice, onion, garlic, egg, salt, pepper, and paprika (if using). Mix gently until just combined.
• Assemble the rolls: Lay a cabbage leaf flat. Place about ¼ cup of filling near the base of the leaf. Fold in the sides and roll up tightly. Repeat with remaining leaves and filling.
• Arrange in baking dish: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the rolls seam side down in a baking dish.
• Make the sauce: In a separate bowl, stir together tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, brown sugar, lemon juice, and water or broth. Pour evenly over the rolls.
• Bake: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 1 hour. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, until the cabbage is tender and the sauce is bubbling.
• Serve: Let rest for 10 minutes before serving. Spoon extra sauce over the rolls and garnish with fresh parsley if you’d like.

Notes

• Cabbage Tip: If leaves are stubborn, microwave the whole head for a few minutes to loosen them up.
• Rice Tip: Use leftover rice — it works great and saves time.
• Make Ahead: You can assemble rolls a day in advance and bake when ready.
• Freezer Friendly: Freeze baked cabbage rolls tightly wrapped for up to 3 months.

Keyword cabbage rolls recipe, stuffed cabbage rolls, classic cabbage rolls, beef and rice cabbage rolls, comfort food