Classic Cabbage Rolls with Savory Tomato Sauce Recipe

Introduction

Cabbage rolls are a comforting and hearty dish featuring tender cabbage leaves wrapped around a savory meat and rice filling. Baked in a flavorful tomato sauce, they make a perfect family meal that’s both satisfying and delicious.

Ingredients

• 1 head cabbage
• 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
• 1 can (10.25 ounces) condensed tomato soup
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1 pound ground mild Italian sausage
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 cup (186 g) cooked long-grain white rice
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
• 1 large egg
• Parsley, chopped for garnish

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
2. Step 2: Fill a large pot halfway with water and bring to a boil. Carefully add the whole head of cabbage using tongs. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook for 7–10 minutes until softened.
3. Step 3: Drain the cabbage, then let it cool slightly. Remove the outer leaves gently and cut out the tough center vein from each leaf. You will need 12 large leaves; combine smaller leaves if necessary. Set aside.
4. Step 4: In a large bowl, combine tomato sauce, condensed tomato soup, paprika, oregano, salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper. Mix well and set aside.
5. Step 5: In a separate bowl, mix Italian sausage, ground beef, cooked rice, diced onion, minced garlic, egg, and ½ cup of the prepared sauce. Combine thoroughly.
6. Step 6: Spread ½ cup of the sauce mixture in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
7. Step 7: To assemble, place one cabbage leaf on a clean surface. Spoon about ½ cup of the meat filling onto the center of the leaf. Fold the sides in and roll tightly to enclose the filling. Place seam side down into the baking dish with sauce. Repeat with remaining leaves and filling.
8. Step 8: Pour the remaining sauce evenly over the cabbage rolls.
9. Step 9: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 1 hour, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C).
10. Step 10: Remove the foil and baste the rolls with sauce. Bake uncovered for an additional 10–12 minutes to brown the top.
11. Step 11: Garnish with chopped parsley and serve warm.

Tips & Variations

• To make rolling easier, soften the cabbage leaves well and trim the thick vein carefully to avoid tearing.
• Substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter filling.
• For a spicier version, increase the crushed red pepper or add a dash of hot sauce to the sauce mixture.
• Leftover rolls can be reheated covered in the oven to maintain moisture.

Storage

Store cabbage rolls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, cover with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through, about 20 minutes. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of rice for the filling?

Yes, you can use other types of cooked rice such as brown rice or jasmine rice. Just be sure it is fully cooked and cooled before mixing with the meat.

Do I need to peel off all the cabbage leaves to make the rolls?

You only need about 12 large outer leaves. The inner leaves are usually too small or fragile. If some leaves are too small, you can overlap a couple to form one perfect-sized leaf.

Classic Cabbage Rolls with Savory Tomato Sauce Recipe

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Classic homemade cabbage rolls filled with a savory mixture of Italian sausage, ground beef, rice, and aromatic spices, baked in a flavorful tomato sauce until tender and delicious. This comforting dish is perfect for family dinners and showcases the versatility of cabbage in a hearty, satisfying meal.

• Author: Maya
• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 12 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 37 minutes
• Yield: 12 cabbage rolls 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cabbage

• 1 head cabbage

Sauce

• 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
• 1 can (10.25 ounces) condensed tomato soup
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper

Filling

• 1 pound ground mild Italian sausage
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 cup (186 g) cooked long-grain white rice
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
• 1 large egg

Garnish

• Parsley, chopped

Instructions

1. Preheat oven and prepare baking dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside to be used later for baking the cabbage rolls.
2. Cook cabbage: Fill a large pot halfway with water, bring it to a boil. Carefully add the whole head of cabbage using tongs, cover, and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer for 7-10 minutes until the cabbage softens.
3. Drain and cool cabbage: Drain the cabbage and carefully remove it from the pot with tongs. Let it cool enough so you can handle it comfortably to remove the outer leaves.
4. Prepare cabbage leaves: Gently peel off the outer leaves of the cabbage, removing the tough center vein near the base of each leaf. You will need about 12 large leaves. For smaller leaves, combine to make full-sized ones. Set these leaves aside.
5. Make the sauce: In a large bowl, combine the tomato sauce, condensed tomato soup, paprika, dried oregano, kosher salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper. Mix thoroughly and set aside.
6. Prepare filling: In a separate bowl, mix together the ground mild Italian sausage, ground beef, cooked rice, diced onion, minced garlic, egg, and half a cup of the prepared sauce. Blend until well combined and set aside.
7. Spread sauce in baking dish: Pour ½ cup of the sauce mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
8. Assemble cabbage rolls: Place one cabbage leaf on a clean surface. Add about ½ cup of the meat filling on the leaf, fold the sides over the filling, and tightly roll it up to enclose the filling completely. Place each roll seam side down in the baking dish nestled into the sauce. Repeat with the remaining leaves and filling.
9. Top with remaining sauce: Pour the remaining tomato sauce evenly over the assembled cabbage rolls in the baking dish.
10. Cover and bake: Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 1 hour or until the internal temperature of the rolls reaches 145°F (63°C) with a meat thermometer.
11. Uncover and bake additional time: Remove the foil, baste the cabbage rolls with the sauce in the dish, then bake uncovered for an additional 10-12 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken slightly and the rolls to brown a bit.
12. Garnish and serve: Once done, sprinkle chopped parsley on top of the cabbage rolls for a fresh finish. Serve warm and enjoy your hearty, comforting cabbage rolls.

Notes

• If the cabbage leaves are small and tear easily, blanch extra leaves and overlap smaller leaves to make larger ones for rolling.
• Make sure to remove the thick vein from the cabbage leaf to help with rolling and prevent tearing.
• Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature of the rolls is safe for consumption (145°F).
• You can prepare cabbage rolls ahead of time and refrigerate before baking; baking times may need slight adjustment if cold from the fridge.
• For a spicier version, increase the crushed red pepper or add chili flakes to the filling.
• Substitute ground beef or sausage with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.

Keywords: cabbage rolls, stuffed cabbage, baked cabbage rolls, Italian sausage recipe, ground beef recipe, comfort food, tomato sauce cabbage rolls