🥬 Stuffed Cabbage Rolls (Easy Homemade Recipe)
First mention: Cabbage
Stuffed cabbage rolls are a traditional comfort dish where cabbage leaves are filled with a savory mixture (usually meat and rice), then cooked in a tomato-based sauce until tender.
🧾 Ingredients
For the filling:
- 500 g minced meat (beef or chicken)
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 small onion (finely chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (optional)
- Salt & black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika or chili flakes (optional)
- 1–2 tbsp oil
For the sauce:
- 2 cups tomato puree or crushed tomatoes
- 1 tbsp tomato paste (optional)
- 1 cup water or broth
- Salt to taste
- 1 tsp sugar (balances acidity)
👨🍳 Method
🥬 1. Prepare cabbage leaves
- Boil whole cabbage for 5–10 minutes
- Peel off softened leaves carefully
- Trim thick stem parts for easy rolling
🍳 2. Make filling
- Mix minced meat, rice, onion, garlic, spices, and oil
- Combine well
🧻 3. Roll cabbage
- Place filling in each leaf
- Fold sides and roll tightly
🍅 4. Cook
- Arrange rolls in a pot
- Pour tomato sauce over them
- Add enough water to partially cover
- Simmer on low heat for 45–60 minutes
🍽️ Serving ideas
- Serve hot with yogurt or salad
- Optional: squeeze lemon on top
💡 Tips
- Don’t overfill rolls (they may burst)
- Cook slowly for soft texture
- Tastes even better the next day
🧠 Simple takeaway
Stuffed cabbage rolls are a slow-cooked, hearty dish combining vegetables, rice, and protein in a rich tomato sauce.
If you want, I can also give you:
- a vegetarian version 🌱
- or a quicker 30-minute shortcut recipe 👍
