These easy old-fashioned cabbage rolls are stuffed with a savoury ground beef mixture, coated in tomato sauce and are oh so scrumptious! Inspired by my grandmother, it’ll be the only stuffed cabbage roll recipe you’ll need!
Hi friends!
Today I’m sharing another family recipe with you!
I mentioned a while back that I would share this easy cabbage roll recipe with you guys one day and I couldn’t be more excited to do so!
These old-fashioned cabbage rolls are inspired by my grandmother or, as I call her, Nan.
For as long as I can remember, Nan was known in our family for her stuffed cabbage rolls.
She actually learned to make them from my grandfather (pop) when he was just a young fellow working and living in Toronto with his friend’s family, who were Polish.
When I attempted to get the recipe from Nan, I had to question some things she was telling me (or wasn’t telling me, LOL). I tease, I tease!
Did you ever watch Everybody Loves Raymond? There’s an episode where Debra gets her mother-in-law’s recipe for meatballs, but they didn’t quite turn out the same because her mother-in-law secretly (and very much intentionally) left out an ingredient.
Nan laughed when I teased her about it, but I think she’s proud of how these turned out.
In all seriousness, though, I made a couple of tweaks to put my own spin on them but, at the heart, they’re Nan’s.
And when I cook them? All I think about is how much the house smells like hers when she makes them. Who would have thought that stuffed cabbage leaves could be so delicious? That smell and taste just makes me happy.
Cabbage Roll Ingredients
- Cabbage (I use standard green cabbage, but you could use savoy).
- Cooked rice
- Egg
- Aromatics, like onion and garlic
- Herbs, like parsley and dill
- Seasonings, like Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, onion powder, red chili flakes (chili flakes are optional)
- Tomato sauce
- Water
How to Make Cabbage Rolls
Prepare the Meat Filling
- In a bowl, combine ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, egg, cooked rice, minced onion, parsley, salt, pepper, dill, onion powder, red chili flakes (optional) and tomato sauce.
- Next, simply mix to combine everything.
Prepare the Cabbage
The easiest way to prepare cabbage for stuffed cabbage rolls is to place the full head of clean cabbage in a pot of boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes (covered ajar). You can carefully flip cabbage over partway through.
Tip: Don’t fill your pot of water to the brim. When you place the head of cabbage in there, it will displace some of the water. To be sure how much water you’ll need, test it out before bringing the water to boil.
Next, remove cabbage leaves and core:
- Once cabbage is cool enough to handle, cut off leaves (one at a time).
- Then, remove core from each leaf.
Tip: As you get so far into removing the leaves, you will have to place the head of cabbage back in boiling water to soften those leaves further in the centre of the cabbage.
Stuff The Cabbage Rolls
- Place about ¼ cup of filling in the cabbage leaf (I like to shape into somewhat of a log).
- Fold over sides of cabbage.
- Roll up.
Assemble Stuffed Cabbage Rolls in Casserole Dish and Bake
- Place some cabbage leaves in the bottom of a greased baking dish.
- Top with stuffed cabbage rolls.
- Mix tomato sauce with a little reserved cabbage water and pour over top.
- Cover with more cabbage leaves. Then, tightly cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake until fully cooked through. That’s it! You’ve made delicious old-fashioned cabbage rolls!
How To Know When They’re Done
As Nan says, take one out and test it!
The recommended internal cooking temperature of ground beef is at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit (according to the Government of Canada).
Use a digital instant-read meat thermometer to be sure by inserting into some of the cabbage rolls.
I typically cook cabbage rolls for 2 hours, 15 minutes to 2 hours, 30 minutes. Check at the former.
If they aren’t done, continue cooking.
Can I Thicken The Cabbage Roll Sauce?
If you want things a little thicker, place the tomato sauce into a pot over medium heat.
Allow it to come to a low simmer and cook, uncovered, until it has reduced to the consistency that you like.
How Long They Last
Properly stored in the refrigerator, use leftover cabbage rolls within 2 to 4 days.
How To Reheat Cabbage Rolls
To reheat cabbage rolls, place them in a skillet (over medium heat) with a little tomato sauce and splash of water. Cover and cook about 10 to 15 minutes or until heated through.
Alternatively, you can reheat in a 350 degree Fahrenheit oven. Place cabbage rolls in a casserole dish (with a some tomato sauce and splash of water). Cover with aluminum foil. Cook for about 30 to 40 minutes or until heated through.
Serving Suggestions
These old-fashioned cabbage rolls are super hearty all on their own. However, if you want to make things even more substantial with garnish or sides, any of these work:
- Sauerkraut (and, honestly (though not traditional), I love with kimchi)
- Sour cream
- Homemade bread
- Mashed potatoes
- Skillet potatoes
- Simple side salad
- Splash of vinegar (I love a little touch of vinegar on my cabbage rolls). The little bite just works!
Tips for Making These Old Fashioned Cabbage Rolls
- Use lean or extra lean ground beef. If the beef is too fatty, it will leach out into your tomato sauce and the end result will be too greasy.
- Roll the cabbage leaves tight and place in the casserole dish seam side down.
- You can add a little brown or white sugar to your tomato sauce if you want less of a tomato bite.
- If you opt for a no salt added tomato sauce, you may have to add a little salt to the mix. Just add to taste.
- Alternatively, you can replace some of the tomato sauce with canned tomatoes. Use diced or whole peeled tomatoes (crush whole canned tomatoes with your hands or a potato masher before using). If opting for this, use one (28 ounce) can of tomatoes, along with one (13 to 14 ounce) can of tomato sauce.
- To add more richness to the tomato sauce, mix in 1 to 2 tablespoons of tomato paste into the sauce/water mixture when pouring over the stuffed cabbage rolls.
Like this Stuffed Cabbage Roll Recipe? You May Enjoy These Too
Hope you love these easy cabbage rolls as much as we do! We think they’re the best cabbage rolls because they’re inspired by Nan.
If you make this stuffed cabbage roll recipe, be sure to leave a comment below!
Old-Fashioned Cabbage Rolls (inspired by Nan)
Ingredients
- 1 cup COOKED long-grain rice, or similar variety
- 1.5 pounds lean ground beef, or extra lean ground beef
- 1.5 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 large egg
- 1 yellow onion, peeled and minced
- ⅓ cup chopped fresh parsley
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1.5 teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried dill (dill weed)
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ to 1 teaspoon red chili flakes (crushed red pepper flakes), optional
- 3 (13.5-ounce) cans tomato sauce, divided (about three (398 millilitre) cans or 5 cups. See point "5" below in recipe "Notes")
- 1 medium head green cabbage, you'll need about 18 leaves for the rolls and another 8 to 10 or so for the bottom of the dish and over top
- ½ cup water, leftover from boiling cabbage
- Chopped fresh dill, garnish to taste (optional)
Instructions
- Cook rice per package instructions and set aside. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit at this point too.
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef with Worcestershire sauce, egg, cooked rice, onion, parsley, garlic, salt, black pepper, dill, onion powder, red chili flakes (if using) and ½ cup of tomato sauce. Mix until well combined.
- To a large pot of boiling water, add head of cabbage and boil for 8 to 10 minutes (carefully turn over partway through). Carefully remove. Don't discard water because you will need to re-boil the cabbage as you start to peel off the leaves and you will need some of the water for your sauce.Note: Don't fill the pot all the way up because the cabbage will displace some of the water. Before boiling water, test how much the water will displace by placing the head of cabbage in the pot.
- Once cabbage is cool enough to handle, carefully remove leaves and cut out core from each leaf. Once you start taking leaves off, you'll likely need to add the cabbage back to the boiling water (to soften more leaves). Just boil for another bit, let cool enough to handle and continue removing leaves.
- Place some cabbage leaves on the bottom of a deep 9-inch x 13-inch baking dish or roasting pan. Taking one leaf at a time, distribute about ¼ cup of ground beef mixture on top and wrap up (fold in sides and roll up, placing in prepared dish, seam side down. Continue with remaining ground beef mixture/leaves.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the remaining 4.5 cups of tomato sauce and ½ cup of cabbage water. Pour over top of cabbage rolls. Note: You could stir in about a tablespoon or so of white or brown sugar into the tomato sauce if you want less of a tomato bite. I like the brightness of tomatoes, so I skip this.
- Top with more cabbage leaves. Cover casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil. Cover and bake about 2 hours and 15 minutes to 2 hours and 30 minutes or until cabbage rolls are fully cooked through (the ground beef should be no longer be pink and be brown all the way through).Note: The cabbage rolls should reach a minimum internal cooking temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit. To be sure, use a digital instant-read meat thermometer.
- Once done, be careful removing foil covering as there will be steam. Discard top cabbage leaves. Allow to cool for 20 minutes or so before serving. Garnish, if desired, with dill. Enjoy!Note: If you have any leftovers, properly store in an airtight container in the refrigerator and use within 2 to 4 days, reheating when ready to enjoy.
Notes
- Use lean or extra lean ground beef. If the beef is too fatty, it will leach out into your tomato sauce and the end result will be too greasy.
- Roll the cabbage leaves tight and place in the casserole dish seam side down.
- You can add a little brown or white sugar to your tomato sauce if you want less of a tomato bite.
- If you opt for a ‘no salt added’ tomato sauce, you may have to add a little salt to the mix. Just add to taste.
- Alternatively, you can replace some of the tomato sauce with canned tomatoes. Use diced or whole peeled tomatoes (crush whole peel canned tomatoes with your hands or a potato masher to break up before using). If opting for this, use one (28 ounce) can of tomatoes, along with one (13 to 14 ounce) can of tomato sauce.
- To add more richness to the tomato sauce, mix in 1 to 2 tablespoons of tomato paste into the sauce/water mixture when pouring over the stuffed cabbage rolls.
Nutrition estimate (if provided) is based on 1 Serving.
Nutrition information (if provided) is provided as a courtesy and should be considered an estimate only. Ingredients can vary and Girl Heart Food makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are guidelines only.
Rebecca
Made this recipe for the 3rd time tonight. It’s really great!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
That’s awesome! Thank you very much, Rebecca – so happy you enjoy the recipe!
Christina
These are absolutely delicious, we made them last night and loved them! Do you know if they can be frozen? If so, would you suggest cooking them and then freezing or freezing them uncooked?
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thank you so much, Christina! Happy you enjoyed the recipe!! I usually store leftovers in the fridge and enjoy within a few days. However, if freezing, I would think the best thing to do is freeze cooked cabbage rolls. Allow them to cool, freeze in a freezer safe container and allow them to thaw in the fridge the day before you are ready to reheat and enjoy. Hope that helps! Have a great weekend!
Yvonne Baldwin
Thank you so much, my dad loves cabbage rolls and we haven’t had them for 20 years, since my grandmother passed away! I made them today and they are wonderful! He does like a sweeter sauce, so I did what you said and added a little brown sugar. They taste just like my grandmothers! Also, it is weird, my father loves rice, but not in cabbage rolls, so I had to make them without it!!!!
Thank you,
Yvonne
Berniece Cronquist
My Mother made these for years. Now I make them. They are a frequently requested meal. I just use tomato soup for the sauce. Mix per soup directions and add some chili powder or whatever spices you like. I put 2 cups water in a big bowl, cut out the core and place cabbage in the bowl in the microwave for 10 minutes. Remove what leaves you can and microwave longer if inside leaves are still too stiff. We even had this for Thanksgiving last year. My family loves it. The sauce is awesome over mashed potatoes.
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Sounds lovely! Great idea to serve over mashed potatoes! Thanks for stopping by!
Marissa
I love family recipes like this, Dawn! Looks like you (and your Nan) perfected cabbage rolls. Absolutely going to make these! SO good!
Katerina | Once a Foodie
Dawn, oh my gosh! My grandmother was Polish and she made the exact same cabbage rolls. I’ve been craving them for so long (she’s now gone and I haven’t got any of her recipes). I might just give this a go and see if they turn out just like I remember. Thanks sooooo much!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Yay! Hope you love them! Thanks Katerina 🙂
Valentina
I was so excited to see this post. I also have a recipe for cabbage rolls from my Grandmother. 🙂 (I have a hand written notebook of her recipes.) Her recipe is very similar but the rice goes in raw and she added sugar to the sauce. You’ve wrapped these so beautifully and I know they are absolutely delicious! Love it! What fun! 🙂 ~Valentina
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Yay! So happy to hear that, Valentina! And how cool is that?? Thank you so much!
Haylie Abele
Dawn, I totally love that these are inspired by your grandmother. I love love family recipes!! These look SO delicious! Pretty sure I could eat an entire platter of these LOL! Happy Tuesday my friend!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Yay! Thank you Haylie!! I could too 😉 Have an awesome week!
Matt - Total Feasts
These take me back, I remember having these growing up! They look so delicious, and great comfort food,
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Happy to hear that! Thank you Matt 🙂
Katherine | Love In My Oven
My German Grandma made the BEST cabbage rolls too. My Mom’s are pretty good too, haha. These look lovely, Dawn. You did a wonderful job!! I could eat a ton! Have a great week!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thank you Katherine! I could too 😉 You as well!
Kevin
Good old fashioned cabbage rolls CAN NOT be beat!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Definitely! Thanks Kevin 🙂
Laura
I do love a good cabbage roll, Dawn! I’ve never made them, though. They seem pretty straightforward, going to have to give these a try sometime. They are beautiful, and I imagine my fam would love them! Pinning!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Definitely 🙂 Thank you Laura…enjoy!
Mimi
These look so good. I just love cabbage rolls, but they’re sort of a pain in the you know what to make. I created a “deconstructed” recipe using the same ingredients, layered in a casserole dish, except that I substituted a bechamel for a red sauce. Much easier. But not as fun to eat!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thanks Mimi! Love cabbage rolls too 🙂
Leanne
While I don’t remember my grandmothers making cabbage rolls, I remember my parents making them every fall. They still do! And they usually freeze some and break them out on Boxing Day. I wasn’t a fan when I was super young, but as I grew up, I grew to love them! These look delicious Dawn! Happy Monday!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thank you Leanne 🙂 Have an awesome week!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
There’s nothing like a treasured family recipe and when that recipe is cabbage rolls, all the better! These look perfect 🙂
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
I agree! Thank you Jennifer 🙂
[email protected]
Nothing better than a recipe from Nan! My MIL makes a similar cabbage roll – and it’s always a treat when she does! These look amazing, my friend! YUM! xoxo
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
For sure! Thank you Annie! XOXO
David @ Spiced
What a fun inspiration to this recipe, Dawn! To be honest, I’ve got to give you a high-five for the photos here. Cabbage rolls aren’t easy to photograph, but you nailed it! These sound delicious, and I’m thinking this would be the perfect comfort food for a chilly evening at home.
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thanks David! Appreciate that!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen
Way to go Nan and you! I grew up enjoying stuffed cabbage. My father was Hungarian and stuffed cabbage was a very popular dish. These look exactly like the ones I used to eat. You’ve done Nan proud Dawn! Pinned!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thanks so much, Mary Ann! Your’re so kind 🙂
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop
What a lovely tribute to your Nan! The best compliment is asking for a recipe, especially when it’s one your truly love! These cabbage rolls look full of love – and taste!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thank you Kathy!! They sure are 😉
Alexandra @ It's Not Complicated Recipes
I love traditional family recipes. and this looks so delicious, Dawn! I have never tried making my own cabbage rolls before – I am going to save this to try when I am back home from my trip 🙂
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Me too! Thank you Alexandra!! Hope you love them as much as we do 🙂
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen
I haven’t had cabbage rolls in forever and now I’m craving them. These look awesome, Dawn! Grandma-inspired recipes are always the best. Hope you’re having a great weekend!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Totally! Thank you Kelsie 🙂