Homemade Stuffed Cabbage Rolls in Tomato Sauce

These hearty stuffed cabbage rolls are a classic comfort food, filled with a delicious blend of seasoned ground meat, tender rice, onion, and garlic. Slowly simmered in a rich tomato sauce, they become incredibly tender and flavorful. Perfect for a cozy family dinner or a satisfying homemade meal.

Ingredients

For the Cabbage

• 1 large head of cabbage

For the Filling

• 1 lb ground beef
• ½ lb ground pork (optional)
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp paprika

For the Tomato Sauce

• 2 cups tomato sauce
• 1 cup beef broth
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

1. Prepare the cabbage: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Carefully remove the cabbage core and place the whole cabbage in the boiling water for 2–3 minutes. Remove the softened outer leaves gently and set them aside. Repeat as needed until you have enough leaves for the rolls.
2. Prepare the filling: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, cooked rice, diced onion, minced garlic, egg, salt, pepper, and paprika. Mix thoroughly until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
3. Stuff the cabbage leaves: Place a portion of the meat and rice mixture in the center of each cabbage leaf. Fold in the sides and roll firmly to enclose the filling.
4. Make the sauce: Heat the olive oil in a large pot or deep skillet over medium heat. Pour in the tomato sauce and beef broth, stirring until combined. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
5. Cook the cabbage rolls: Arrange the rolls seam-side down in the simmering sauce. Cover with a lid and cook over low heat for 45–60 minutes, until the cabbage is tender and the meat filling is completely cooked.
6. Serve and enjoy: Carefully transfer the cabbage rolls to serving plates and spoon plenty of warm tomato sauce over the top. Serve hot and enjoy this comforting homemade favorite!