Beef Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
Hearty beef stuffed cabbage rolls feature tender cabbage leaves filled with seasoned ground beef and rice, simmered in a savory tomato sauce—perfect for comforting family dinners.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground beef ⓘ
- 1 egg, beaten ⓘ
- 1/8 tsp. pepper ⓘ
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced ⓘ
- 1 (10 3/4 oz.) can tomato soup ⓘ
- 1 tsp. minced fresh parsley ⓘ
- 1 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1 1/4 c. water ⓘ
- 1 tsp. sugar ⓘ
- 1/3 c. uncooked regular rice ⓘ
- 6 large cabbage leaves ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. butter or margarine, melted ⓘ
- 6 large cabbage leaves ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. butter or margarine, melted ⓘ
Instructions
- Combine ground beef, rice, beaten egg, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper; stir well.
- Cook cabbage leaves in boiling salted water for 5 to 8 minutes or until just tender; drain.
- Place equal portions of meat mixture in the center of each cabbage leaf; fold ends over and fasten with a wooden pick.
- Sauté onion slices in melted butter in a large skillet until tender, but not brown.
- Add undiluted tomato soup, remaining salt, sugar, pepper, water, and parsley; stir well and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Place cabbage rolls in the tomato mixture; cover and simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider mixing in some minced garlic or using jasmine rice instead of regular rice. If you're short on time, you can use pre-cooked rice. To make the dish lighter, substitute ground turkey for beef. Ensure to simmer the cabbage rolls gently to keep them intact; this will help maintain their shape while infusing them with the tomato sauce flavor.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these hearty cabbage rolls with a dollop of sour cream on top for creaminess, which complements the flavors beautifully. They pair wonderfully with a side of crusty bread or a simple green salad. For a complete meal, consider serving them alongside creamy mushroom rice, which adds a rich texture to the dish.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover cabbage rolls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them in a saucepan over low heat with a bit of the sauce to prevent drying out, or microwave them covered until heated through. They also freeze well for up to 3 months; just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Beef Stuffed Cabbage Rolls contains roughly 1244 calories, with 34g protein, 54g carbohydrates, and 107g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (222% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (204% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (122% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin A. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1839mg per serving (80% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make cabbage rolls ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the cabbage rolls ahead of time and refrigerate them before cooking. Just cover them tightly with plastic wrap or foil. You can also freeze them before cooking; just ensure to thaw them completely before simmering in the sauce.
What can I use instead of cabbage leaves?
If you can't find cabbage leaves, you can use collard greens or Swiss chard as a substitute. These greens will provide a similar texture and flavor. Just be sure to adjust cooking times as necessary since they may require less boiling time than cabbage.
How do I prevent the cabbage leaves from tearing?
To prevent tearing, make sure to use fresh cabbage leaves and cook them just until they are tender but still firm. Blanch them in boiling water for a short time and then quickly transfer them to ice water to stop the cooking process, which helps maintain their structure.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).