Here’s a classic recipe for Old Fashioned Stuffed Cabbage Rolls—comfort food style, slow-cooked, savory, and slightly tangy.
🥬 Old Fashioned Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
🧾 Ingredients
For the rolls:
- 1 large head green cabbage
- 500 g (1 lb) ground beef (or beef + pork mix)
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika (optional)
For the sauce:
- 2 cups tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup beef broth or water
- 1 tbsp vinegar or lemon juice (for slight tang)
- 1 tsp sugar (balances acidity)
- Salt & pepper to taste
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Prepare the cabbage
- Bring a large pot of water to boil
- Carefully remove core from cabbage
- Boil whole cabbage for 5–8 minutes
- Peel off softened leaves one by one
- Trim thick veins for easier rolling
2️⃣ Make the filling
- Mix ground meat, rice, onion, garlic, egg, and seasonings
- Combine well but don’t overmix
3️⃣ Roll the cabbage
- Place filling in center of each leaf
- Fold sides inward and roll tightly
- Repeat until all filling is used
4️⃣ Prepare the sauce
- Mix tomato sauce, paste, broth, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper
- Simmer briefly for flavor
5️⃣ Cook the rolls
- Place cabbage rolls seam-side down in a pot or baking dish
- Pour sauce over them
- Cover and simmer on low heat for 1.5–2 hours
(or bake at 175°C / 350°F for the same time)
🍲 Serving ideas
- Serve with mashed potatoes or crusty bread
- Spoon extra sauce over the top
- Optional: add sour cream on the side
💡 Tips for best results
- Don’t overstuff rolls—they may burst
- Use slightly undercooked rice so it doesn’t turn mushy
- Let them rest 10–15 minutes before serving for better flavor
⚖️ Flavor profile
Tender cabbage, juicy meat, soft rice, and a rich tomato sauce—comfort food with a slightly tangy, homemade taste.
If you want, I can also give you a slow cooker version, a Polish-style (gołąbki) variation, or a healthier low-carb version using cauliflower rice.