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Classic Cabbage Rolls with Tomato Sauce and Savory Filling Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 54 reviews

Classic cabbage rolls stuffed with a flavorful mixture of Italian sausage, ground beef, cooked rice, and aromatic seasonings, baked in a rich tomato sauce until tender and delicious. Perfect as a comforting family dinner or meal prep option.

Ingredients

Scale

Cabbage and Sauce

  • 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

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
  • Parsley, chopped for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven and prepare baking dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set it aside to use later.
  2. Cook the cabbage: Fill a large pot halfway with water and bring it to a boil. Carefully add the whole head of cabbage using tongs. Cover the pot and reduce heat to medium-low. Let the cabbage cook for 7-10 minutes until it softens.
  3. Drain and cool cabbage: Remove the cabbage from the pot with tongs and let it cool slightly. Once cool enough to handle, gently remove the outer leaves, cutting out the tough center vein near the base of each leaf. You will need about 12 large leaves. If the leaves are small, you can layer two to make a larger leaf. Set the leaves aside.
  4. Prepare the sauce: In a large bowl, mix the tomato sauce, condensed tomato soup, paprika, oregano, kosher salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper together until fully combined. Set aside half a cup of the sauce mixture to use in the filling.
  5. Make the filling: In a separate large bowl, combine the ground mild Italian sausage, ground beef, cooked rice, diced yellow onion, minced garlic, large egg, and ½ cup of the sauce mixture. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
  6. Spread sauce in baking dish: Pour and spread ½ cup of the prepared sauce mixture evenly on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. This will prevent the cabbage rolls from sticking and add flavor as they bake.
  7. Assemble the cabbage rolls: Lay one cabbage leaf flat on a clean work surface. Place about ½ cup of the meat and rice mixture in the center of the leaf. Fold the sides of the leaf over the filling, then roll tightly from the bottom up to enclose the filling completely without any loose edges. Place the rolled cabbage seam side down in the baking dish nestled in the sauce. Repeat with remaining leaves and filling.
  8. Top with remaining sauce and cover: Pour the rest of the sauce mixture evenly over the assembled cabbage rolls. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil to lock in moisture while baking.
  9. Bake the cabbage rolls: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 1 hour. Check that the internal temperature of the cabbage rolls reaches at least 145°F using a meat thermometer to ensure they are cooked through.
  10. Remove foil and bake uncovered: Carefully remove the foil and baste the cabbage rolls with the sauce from the pan. Return the dish to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 10-12 minutes to slightly brown the tops and thicken the sauce.
  11. Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the cabbage rolls before serving. Serve warm as a hearty main dish perfect for family dinners.

Notes

  • If your cabbage leaves are small or tear during preparation, you can layer two leaves together to make one larger leaf for rolling.
  • Using a meat thermometer to check doneness ensures the rolls are safely cooked to 145°F internal temperature.
  • You can prepare this dish ahead of time and refrigerate before baking; just add a few extra minutes to the cook time if baking from cold.
  • For a spicier kick, increase the crushed red pepper slightly or add chili flakes to the filling.

Keywords: cabbage rolls, stuffed cabbage, Italian sausage, ground beef recipe, baked cabbage rolls, tomato sauce cabbage rolls, hearty dinner

Find it online: https://bitesizedbenny.com/classic-cabbage-rolls-with-tomato-sauce-and-savory-filling-recipe/