Tender cabbage leaves stuffed with a savory meat-and-rice filling, slowly cooked in rich tomato sauce—this is pure comfort food and a timeless family favorite.

🧺 Ingredients (Serves 4–6)

Cabbage

• 1 large green cabbage
• Water + salt (for boiling)

Filling

• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (or beef & pork mix)
• ½ cup uncooked rice
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 egg

Sauce

• 1 can (28 oz / 800 g) crushed tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 cup water or broth

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Cabbage

1. Remove the core from the cabbage.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
3. Add the whole cabbage and boil 5–7 minutes.
4. Gently peel off softened leaves.
5. Trim thick veins for easy rolling.

Step 2: Make the Filling

1. In a bowl, combine ground meat, rice, onion, garlic, egg, salt, pepper, and paprika.
2. Mix gently until combined (don’t overmix).

Step 3: Assemble the Rolls

1. Place 2–3 tbsp filling at the base of each cabbage leaf.
2. Fold sides inward, then roll tightly.
3. Repeat with remaining leaves.

Step 4: Make the Sauce

1. In a bowl, mix crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, salt, pepper, and water/broth.

Step 5: Cook the Cabbage Rolls

Oven Method (Classic)

1. Preheat oven to 175°C / 350°F.
2. Spread a little sauce in a baking dish.
3. Arrange rolls seam-side down.
4. Pour remaining sauce over rolls.
5. Cover tightly with foil.
6. Bake 1½–2 hours until tender.

Stovetop Method

1. Place rolls in a large pot.
2. Cover with sauce.
3. Simmer gently 1½ hours, covered.

⭐ Pro Tips

• Don’t overfill—rolls may burst
• Rice cooks inside the rolls—no need to pre-cook
• Taste sauce before baking and adjust seasoning
• Even better the next day

🔄 Variations

• 🥩 Turkey or chicken instead of beef
• 🥔 Low-carb: replace rice with cauliflower rice
• 🌶️ Spicy: add chili flakes
• 🍋 Eastern European style: add lemon juice or sauerkraut

🍽️ Serve With

• Mashed potatoes
• Crusty bread
• Sour cream
• Simple cucumber salad

If you want, I can also share:

• 🍲 Crockpot cabbage rolls
• 🥣 Cabbage roll soup
• 🌱 Vegetarian cabbage rolls
• 🔥 Air fryer version

Just tell me 😊