Ah, Old-Fashioned Cabbage Rolls—a true comfort food classic! 🥬🍖 Tender cabbage leaves wrapped around a savory meat and rice filling, then simmered in a rich tomato sauce.
Old-Fashioned Cabbage Rolls Recipe
Ingredients (serves 4–6)
For the rolls:
- 1 large green cabbage
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef (or mix of beef & pork)
- 1/2 cup uncooked rice
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
For the sauce:
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1–2 tbsp brown sugar (optional, for slight sweetness)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Prepare the cabbage
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
- Carefully remove the core from the cabbage.
- Place cabbage in boiling water and peel off leaves as they soften (about 2–3 minutes each).
- Set leaves aside to cool.
2. Make the filling
- In a bowl, combine ground meat, rice, onion, garlic, egg, salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Mix well until fully combined.
3. Assemble the rolls
- Lay a cabbage leaf flat.
- Add 2–3 tbsp of filling near the base.
- Fold sides in, then roll tightly like a burrito.
- Repeat with remaining leaves and filling.
4. Prepare the pot
- Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce on the bottom of a large pot or baking dish.
- Arrange cabbage rolls seam-side down.
5. Add sauce & cook
- Pour remaining tomato sauce and diced tomatoes over the rolls.
- Cover and:
Stovetop: Simmer on low for 1½–2 hours
OR Oven: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 1½ hours
6. Serve
- Spoon extra sauce over the rolls and serve hot.
- Great with mashed potatoes, crusty bread, or sour cream.
💡 Tips
- Trim the thick stem of each leaf for easier rolling.
- You can parboil the rice slightly if you prefer softer filling.
- These taste even better the next day—great for leftovers!
If you want, I can give you a “lazy cabbage roll casserole” version—same flavor but much easier (no rolling needed).
