Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

 

Stuffed Cabbage Rolls that cook right on a bed of cozy vegetables feels like the kind of meal grandmothers built their reputations on. Here’s the full recipe written in the same warm style you started with, all in one place so you can copy, save, or share it easily.

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Stuffed Cabbage Rolls on a Vegetable Bed
Few dishes carry as much old-world comfort as stuffed cabbage rolls. Tender cabbage leaves wrap around a savory filling of ground meat, rice, and herbs. They slowly simmer in tomato sauce while resting on a colorful bed of vegetables that soak up every drop of flavor. It’s the kind of dinner that makes the kitchen smell like home.

Ingredients

For the cabbage rolls
• 1 large head of cabbage
• 1 lb ground beef or pork
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp paprika (optional)

For the vegetable bed and sauce
• 2 large carrots, thinly sliced
• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 cups tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup beef or chicken broth
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp sugar (optional, balances acidity)

Instructions

1. Remove the core from the cabbage. Carefully peel away 10–12 large leaves. Blanch the leaves in boiling water 2–3 minutes until pliable. Drain and cool.
2. In a bowl, mix ground meat, cooked rice, diced onion, garlic, egg, salt, pepper, and optional paprika. Stir until well combined.
3. Lay a cabbage leaf flat. Place a scoop of filling near the base, fold the sides inward, and roll tightly like a burrito. Repeat with remaining leaves.
4. Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven. Add sliced carrots, bell pepper, and onion. Sauté 3–4 minutes to soften slightly.
5. Nestle the cabbage rolls seam-side down on top of the vegetables.
6. Pour tomato sauce and broth over the rolls. Add sugar if needed.
7. Cover and simmer on low heat 60–90 minutes until the rolls are tender and cooked through. You can also bake covered at 350°F (175°C) for the same amount of time.
8. Spoon some of the vegetable-rich sauce over the rolls before serving.

Why Everyone Loves This Recipe

• The cabbage turns soft and silky while the filling stays juicy.
• The vegetables underneath soak up the sauce and become irresistibly tender.
• It’s a complete comfort-food meal all in one pot.

Pro Tips

• If leaves tear, double-wrap with a second cabbage leaf.
• Add a splash of Worcestershire for deeper flavor.
• Make ahead: flavors get even better the next day.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve with mashed potatoes or buttered noodles.
• A dollop of sour cream adds a cool, creamy touch.
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