These Old Fashioned Cabbage Stuffers are a comforting and hearty dish, perfect for family dinners or special occasions. The savory filling of lean ground beef, rice, and seasonings is wrapped in tender cabbage leaves and smothered in a rich, flavorful tomato sauce. This recipe brings a sense of nostalgia with every bite, featuring a delicious balance of flavors and textures that are sure to please even the pickiest eaters.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Old Fashioned Cabbage Stuffers are the epitome of comfort food. The combination of seasoned ground beef and rice wrapped in soft cabbage leaves and bathed in a tangy, slightly sweet tomato sauce makes for a filling and satisfying meal. The hearty cabbage rolls are incredibly versatile — you can enjoy them on their own or serve them with a side of mashed potatoes or crusty bread to soak up all the sauce. Plus, the recipe makes plenty, so it’s perfect for feeding a crowd or for leftovers the next day!
Ingredients
Tomato Sauce:
- ½ yellow onion, finely diced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp crushed red pepper
- 28 ounces fire-roasted tomatoes (canned)
- 15 ounces tomato sauce
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp vinegar
Cabbage Rolls:
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 ½ cups cooked white rice
- ½ cup finely diced yellow onion
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- ½ tsp pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ¼ cup parsley, freshly chopped
- 2 eggs
- 1 small head of cabbage
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
For the Tomato Sauce:
- Heat oil: Warm olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
- Cook the onion: Add the diced yellow onion and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the onion becomes soft and translucent.
- Add garlic and seasoning: Stir in the minced garlic and crushed red pepper, and cook for another minute.
- Add tomatoes and sauce: Add the fire-roasted tomatoes, tomato sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together and cook for another 5 minutes.
- Add sugar and vinegar: Stir in the brown sugar and vinegar, and bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Simmer: Let the sauce simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld together.
For the Cabbage Rolls:
- Prepare the cabbage: Bring a large pot of water to a simmer. Carefully lower the whole cabbage head into the water and cook for 7-8 minutes, or until the leaves become soft.
- Peel the leaves: Remove the cabbage from the water and set it on a tray to cool. Once cool enough to handle, peel 12 leaves off the cabbage head.
- Prepare the filling: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, cooked rice, diced onion, minced garlic, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, parsley, and eggs. Use your hands to mix everything together until well combined.
- Shape the rolls: Lay the cabbage leaves flat on a surface. Cut off the thick portion of the stem on each leaf. Take some of the meat mixture and shape it into a log, placing it in the center of each cabbage leaf.
- Roll the cabbage: Roll up the leaf, folding in the sides as you would a burrito, to form a neat, tight roll. Repeat until all the cabbage rolls are made.
- Prepare the baking pan: Pour half of the tomato sauce into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Arrange the rolls: Place the cabbage rolls seam side down in the pan, fitting them snugly together.
- Top with sauce: Pour the remaining tomato sauce over the cabbage rolls, making sure they are covered. If needed, add extra sauce to ensure the rolls are well-coated.
- Cover and bake: Cover the pan with aluminum foil and bake in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 60 minutes, until the cabbage is tender and the filling is fully cooked.
Serving:
Once baked, let the cabbage rolls cool for a few minutes before serving. Serve hot with a side of crusty bread or mashed potatoes, and enjoy the hearty, flavorful dish!
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 6-8 servings
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
Variations
- Meat alternatives: You can swap the ground beef for ground turkey, chicken, or pork for a lighter version of this dish.
- Vegetarian version: Replace the ground beef with a mixture of rice, beans, and vegetables, and use vegetable broth in the sauce for a completely meat-free version.
- Extra spice: Add more crushed red pepper or hot sauce to the tomato sauce for an extra kick of spice.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Leftover cabbage rolls can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheating: Reheat the cabbage rolls in the oven at 350°F for about 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. Alternatively, you can reheat them in the microwave.
FAQs
Can I make cabbage rolls ahead of time?
Yes! You can assemble the cabbage rolls and store them in the fridge for up to 1 day before baking. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months before baking. Just make sure to thaw them before baking.
Can I use other types of cabbage?
While green cabbage is traditionally used for cabbage rolls, you can also try Napa cabbage or savoy cabbage for a slightly different texture and flavor.
Can I make this dish spicier?
Yes, if you like more heat, you can increase the amount of crushed red pepper in the tomato sauce or add some chopped fresh chilies to the filling.
Can I freeze leftover cabbage rolls?
Yes, leftover cabbage rolls can be frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw them in the fridge overnight and bake as usual.
Can I make the sauce ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the tomato sauce in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Simply heat it up before using it for the cabbage rolls.
Can I make this dish in a slow cooker?
Yes, you can cook the cabbage rolls in a slow cooker. After assembling the rolls and adding the sauce, cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or until the cabbage is tender.
Conclusion
These Old Fashioned Cabbage Stuffers are the ultimate comfort food, combining tender cabbage, a flavorful beef and rice filling, and a rich tomato sauce that’s sure to satisfy. This dish is perfect for family dinners, special occasions, or anytime you want a hearty, satisfying meal. With simple ingredients and straightforward preparation, it’s a recipe that will become a family favorite!
Print
Old Fashioned Cabbage Stuffers
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings
Description
Old Fashioned Cabbage Stuffers are a classic comfort food featuring tender cabbage wrapped around a savory ground beef and rice filling, all smothered in a rich tomato sauce. Perfect for family dinners or special occasions, this hearty dish is sure to please everyone.
Ingredients
For the Tomato Sauce:
½ yellow onion, finely diced
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp crushed red pepper
28 ounces fire-roasted tomatoes (canned)
15 ounces tomato sauce
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp vinegar
For the Cabbage Rolls:
2 pounds lean ground beef
1 ½ cups cooked white rice
½ cup finely diced yellow onion
2 tsp minced garlic
½ tsp pepper
1 tsp salt
1 tsp Italian seasoning
¼ cup parsley, freshly chopped
2 eggs
1 small head of cabbage
Instructions
For the Tomato Sauce:
-
Heat oil: Warm olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
-
Cook the onion: Add diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes, until soft and translucent.
-
Add garlic and seasoning: Stir in minced garlic and crushed red pepper; cook for 1 more minute.
-
Add tomatoes and sauce: Mix in fire-roasted tomatoes, tomato sauce, salt, and pepper. Cook for 5 minutes.
-
Add sugar and vinegar: Stir in brown sugar and vinegar, bring to a simmer, and cook for 15 minutes.
For the Cabbage Rolls:
-
Prepare the cabbage: Bring a large pot of water to a simmer. Carefully lower the cabbage head into the water and cook for 7-8 minutes, until the leaves soften.
-
Peel the leaves: Remove cabbage from the water, let it cool, then peel off 12 leaves.
-
Prepare the filling: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, cooked rice, diced onion, minced garlic, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, parsley, and eggs. Mix well.
-
Shape the rolls: Lay cabbage leaves flat, cut off the thick stem portion, and place a portion of the meat mixture in the center. Roll up the leaves, folding in the sides.
-
Prepare the pan: Pour half of the tomato sauce into a 9×13-inch baking dish.
-
Arrange the rolls: Place the cabbage rolls seam side down in the pan.
-
Top with sauce: Pour the remaining tomato sauce over the rolls, ensuring they are well-covered.
-
Cover and bake: Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 60 minutes, until the cabbage is tender and the filling is cooked.
Serving:
Once baked, let the cabbage rolls cool slightly before serving. Serve hot with a side of crusty bread or mashed potatoes for a hearty meal.
Notes
Make sure the rolls are tightly packed for even cooking.
Feel free to experiment with the type of cabbage used, but green cabbage is traditionally preferred.
These rolls are delicious with a side of sautéed greens or a light salad.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Comfort Food
