Stuffed Cabbage Rolls – A Holiday Classic with a Modern Twist

There’s nothing quite like the aroma of freshly cooked stuffed cabbage rolls to bring warmth and festive cheer to your holiday table. This classic dish, filled with tender cabbage leaves and a flavorful stuffing, carries the essence of tradition while offering a hearty, satisfying meal for any gathering.

Each roll is wrapped in love, simmered to perfection in a rich tomato sauce that enhances every bite. Whether you’re preparing this for a cozy family dinner or a larger festive occasion, these stuffed cabbage rolls are sure to impress and delight everyone around the table.

Recipe Details

Prep time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 2 hours
Total time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Calories: Approximately 300 kcal per serving
Servings: 6
Cuisine: Eastern European (with a festive twist)
Difficulty: Medium
Course: Main dish

Ingredients

1 large head of cabbage (about 1.5 kg)
450 grams (1 lb) ground pork
450 grams (1 lb) ground beef
200 grams (7 oz) cooked rice
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon sweet paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 liter (4 cups) tomato sauce
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon sugar
1 cup (240 ml) chicken or vegetable broth

Instructions

Prepare the cabbage
Remove the core of the cabbage and place the head in a pot of boiling water. Cook for 3–4 minutes until the outer leaves become pliable. Peel off the softened leaves one by one, and set them aside. Repeat until all usable leaves are removed. Trim thick leaf stems for easier rolling.

Mix the filling
In a mixing bowl, combine ground pork, ground beef, cooked rice, onion, garlic, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until evenly combined.

Roll the cabbage
Take one cabbage leaf, place 2–3 tablespoons of filling at the base, fold the sides inward, and roll it up tightly. Repeat until all the filling is used.

Prepare the sauce
Heat olive oil in a pot. Sauté the chopped onion and garlic until fragrant. Add tomato paste and stir for a minute. Pour in the tomato sauce, broth, and sugar. Let it simmer for 10 minutes to blend the flavors.

Assemble and cook
In a large pot or casserole dish, spread a thin layer of sauce at the bottom. Arrange the cabbage rolls seam-side down, layering them as needed. Pour the remaining sauce over the rolls, ensuring they are fully covered.
Cover the pot and simmer on low heat for 1.5 to 2 hours. Check occasionally to ensure there’s enough liquid, adding more broth if necessary.

Serve and enjoy
Let the rolls rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley for a festive touch.