Classic Cabbage Rolls: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe with Beef and Italian Sausage
Prepare to fall in love with this ultimate comfort food! Our classic cabbage rolls feature a delectable filling of seasoned ground beef, zesty Italian sausage, and fluffy long-grain rice, all nestled within tender cabbage leaves. Each roll is then generously bathed in a rich, sweet, and tangy tomato sauce, baked to perfection. This recipe brings together a symphony of flavors and textures, making it an irresistible dish that’s perfect for a hearty family dinner or a comforting meal on a chilly evening.
Why This Homemade Cabbage Roll Recipe is a Must-Try
Cabbage rolls are more than just a meal; they’re a timeless tradition, a symbol of hearty home cooking, and a true comfort dish. This particular recipe stands out for its incredible depth of flavor and surprising ease of preparation. The combination of succulent ground beef and flavorful Italian sausage creates a rich, savory base that perfectly complements the tender, slightly sweet cabbage leaves. The long-grain rice adds a satisfying texture and helps bind the filling, ensuring each bite is perfectly balanced.
What makes these homemade cabbage rolls truly special is how effortlessly they come together. While they may look impressive, the steps are straightforward, making them accessible even for novice cooks. Moreover, they are an excellent choice for meal prepping. You can assemble them ahead of time and pop them in the oven when you’re ready, or even freeze them for those busy weeknights when cooking feels like a chore. Imagine coming home to a freezer-friendly dish that only requires reheating – that’s the magic of these delicious stuffed cabbage rolls!
For a truly satisfying, “stick-to-your-ribs” meal, I love serving these cabbage rolls alongside classic sides like fluffy potato pancakes or perfectly roasted potatoes. The rich tomato sauce is perfect for soaking up with a piece of crusty bread, making every last drop disappear. This recipe is designed to deliver maximum flavor with minimal fuss, ensuring a delightful culinary experience every time.
Essential Ingredients for Your Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
To create these mouth-watering stuffed cabbage rolls, you’ll need a selection of fresh and pantry staples. The magic lies in the blend of high-quality meats, perfectly cooked rice, and a vibrant tomato sauce that ties everything together. While we’ve listed specific quantities, remember that cooking is an art, and you can always adjust to your taste!
For a detailed list of all measurements, ingredients, and comprehensive instructions, please refer to the printable recipe card located at the very end of this post. It contains everything you need to successfully create this dish in your own kitchen.
Ingredient Information and Smart Substitution Ideas
Understanding each component is key to mastering this classic dish and making it your own. Here’s a deeper dive into the ingredients and how you can adapt them:
MEAT – Our recipe calls for a flavorful blend of 1 pound of ground beef and 1 pound of ground Italian sausage. This combination provides a rich, savory, and slightly spicy depth that truly elevates the cabbage rolls. However, don’t feel limited! The beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility. You can absolutely use a single type of ground meat or experiment with other varieties. Ground turkey, for instance, offers a leaner alternative without sacrificing flavor, especially if seasoned well. For those who enjoy more heat, a hot Italian sausage can add an exciting kick. Other great options include ground venison, chicken, lamb, or pork – as long as it’s finely minced. A common question is whether to pre-cook the meat. For this particular recipe, there is **no need to precook the meat**. The prolonged baking time in the oven ensures that the meat cooks thoroughly and remains incredibly tender and juicy, absorbing all the wonderful flavors of the sauce and seasonings.
RICE – Rice is crucial for both texture and substance in cabbage rolls. We recommend using long-grain white rice for its fluffy texture, which absorbs the meat juices and sauce beautifully. Brown rice is also an excellent option if you prefer a nuttier flavor and more fiber; just be aware it might require a slightly longer pre-cooking time. The key here is to **precook the rice** before mixing it with the meat filling. This step is essential to ensure that the rice is perfectly tender and fully cooked by the time the cabbage rolls come out of the oven. Raw rice wouldn’t have enough liquid or time to cook properly within the rolls, resulting in a crunchy, undesirable texture.
SAUCE – The tomato sauce is the heart of this dish, enveloping the cabbage rolls in a luscious, flavorful blanket. Our secret ingredient is the addition of condensed tomato soup to the regular tomato sauce. This not only adds a lovely hint of sweetness but also expertly helps to cut down on the natural acidity of the tomatoes, creating a wonderfully balanced and mellow flavor profile. While the existing blend is fantastic, you are welcome to customize the sauce further. Feel free to add additional herbs and spices such as a bay leaf, a dash of dried basil or oregano, or a pinch of red pepper flakes for extra warmth. However, a crucial tip: **do not add more salt** to the sauce mixture. The condensed tomato soup already contains a significant amount of sodium, and adding more could make the sauce overly salty. Always taste before adjusting seasonings to achieve that perfect savory-sweet balance.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Craft Perfect Cabbage Rolls
These step-by-step photos and detailed instructions are provided to help you visualize each stage of making this delicious recipe. For a convenient printable version of this recipe, complete with precise measurements and all instructions, please jump to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- **Prepare Your Oven:** Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures it’s at the ideal temperature when your rolls are ready to bake.
- **Soften the Cabbage Leaves:** To make your cabbage leaves pliable and easy to roll without tearing, you’ll need to soften them. There are a few methods: you can boil the whole head of cabbage, steam individual leaves, or use the microwave for a quicker approach. I find microwaving the easiest and most efficient:
- Gently remove the outer leaves from a large head of cabbage, discarding any tough or damaged ones.
- Place the separated leaves into a large, microwave-safe bowl with about an inch of water at the bottom.
- Microwave for 2-3 minutes at a time, checking for tenderness. Continue microwaving in short bursts until the leaves are sufficiently wilted and flexible.
- Carefully drain any remaining water from the bowl. Trim any excessively thick core sections from the softened leaves to make rolling even easier.
- **Prepare the Flavorful Filling:** In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground Italian sausage, precooked long-grain rice, diced yellow onion, salt, black pepper, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and one large egg. The egg acts as a binder, helping the filling stay together inside the cabbage leaves. Add ½ cup of the tomato sauce to the mixture; this infuses the filling with moisture and flavor from the start. Put on a pair of food-safe gloves (or ensure your hands are very clean!) and thoroughly mix all the ingredients until they are uniformly combined. Don’t be shy – good mixing ensures the flavors are evenly distributed.
- **Whisk the Tangy Tomato Sauce:** In a separate medium-sized bowl, whisk together the remaining tomato sauce (from the can, after using ½ cup for the filling) with the entire can of condensed tomato soup. This combination creates a sauce that is both rich and perfectly balanced in sweetness and acidity. For an extra layer of flavor, you can add an additional pinch of Italian seasoning and a touch more pepper if desired, but remember the cautionary note about salt from the ingredients section. Whisk well until the sauce is smooth and fully combined.
- **Prepare the Baking Dish:** Pour approximately ½ cup of your prepared tomato sauce mixture into the bottom of a 9×13 casserole dish. Spread it evenly to create a flavorful bed for your cabbage rolls and prevent sticking.
- **Assemble the Cabbage Rolls:** Now for the fun part – rolling! Lay one softened cabbage leaf flat on a clean work surface. Scoop a generous amount (about ⅓ cup) of the meat and rice mixture and place it near the stem end of the leaf, slightly off-center.
First, fold the stem side of the cabbage leaf up over the filling. Then, fold the two side edges of the leaf inward, much like you would roll a burrito. Finally, roll the entire packet up from the bottom towards the top, creating a neat, tight bundle. Place this cabbage packet seam-side down in your prepared casserole dish.
- **Fill the Casserole Dish:** Continue this process of filling and rolling your softened cabbage leaves until all the meat mixture is used up and your casserole dish is full. Arrange the rolls snugly in a single layer or stacked carefully if necessary. This recipe typically yields around 9 large cabbage rolls, depending on the size of your cabbage leaves and how much filling you use per roll.
- **Cover with Sauce:** Once all the cabbage rolls are arranged in the dish, pour the remaining tomato sauce mixture evenly over the top. Ensure that all the rolls are well-covered, as the sauce will infuse them with flavor and keep them moist during baking.
- **Bake (Covered):** Tightly cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil. This step is crucial as it creates a steamy environment, helping the cabbage rolls cook evenly and preventing them from drying out. Bake for 1 hour. To ensure the meat is fully cooked and safe to eat, use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of a roll. It should reach at least 145°F (63°C).
- **Finish Baking (Uncovered):** Once the rolls are cooked through, carefully remove the aluminum foil. This allows some of the moisture to evaporate, helping to thicken the rich tomato sauce and concentrate its flavors. Spoon some of the sauce over the tops of the cabbage rolls to baste them, ensuring they stay moist and flavorful. Bake for an additional 10 minutes, uncovered, until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
- **Garnish and Serve:** Remove the baked cabbage rolls from the oven. For a fresh, vibrant finish and an extra touch of flavor, garnish generously with freshly chopped parsley. Serve warm, with plenty of that delicious tomato sauce spooned over each roll. Enjoy your perfectly cooked, savory, and tender homemade cabbage rolls!
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips for Perfect Cabbage Rolls
Cabbage rolls are fantastic for freezing, making them ideal for meal prep. For the best results, it’s generally recommended to freeze **uncooked** cabbage rolls. This helps maintain their texture and prevents them from becoming mushy when reheated. To do this, assemble the rolls as per the recipe instructions but do not bake them. Instead, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet or in a freezer-safe baking dish. Flash freeze them until they are firm enough to hold their shape (this usually takes a few hours). Once frozen solid, you can transfer them to a large, airtight freezer bag or continue storing them in the freezer-safe dish, covered tightly with foil and plastic wrap. They can be stored for up to 5 months.
When you’re ready to cook, simply transfer the frozen rolls to the refrigerator to thaw overnight. Remove them from the fridge about 30 minutes before baking while your oven preheats. Follow the original recipe instructions for baking time, but you might need to add an extra 10-15 minutes to ensure they are thoroughly heated and cooked through.
While freezing cooked cabbage rolls is also possible, they might have a slightly softer texture upon reheating. If freezing cooked rolls, let them cool completely, then wrap individual rolls or portions in plastic wrap and foil before freezing. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently in the oven or microwave.
Leftover cooked cabbage rolls are absolutely delicious and often taste even better the next day as the flavors meld further! To store them, place the cooled rolls and any remaining sauce in an airtight container. Keep this container in the refrigerator, and your leftovers will stay fresh and flavorful for 3-4 days. For reheating, gently warm them in the microwave or place them back in an oven-safe dish, covered, at a lower temperature (around 300°F/150°C) until heated through.
Yes, absolutely! Cabbage rolls are an excellent make-ahead meal, which significantly reduces stress on busy days. You can fully assemble the rolls – including preparing the filling, softening the cabbage leaves, rolling them, and arranging them in the casserole dish with the sauce – up to 24 hours in advance. After assembly, cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or foil and store it in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to bake, remove the dish from the refrigerator as you begin preheating your oven to allow it to come closer to room temperature. Then, bake according to the recipe directions. This prep-ahead method ensures a fresh, hot, and homemade meal without all the last-minute work.
For classic cabbage rolls, a large head of green cabbage is ideal. Look for a firm, heavy head with large, intact leaves. Savoy cabbage can also be used; its crinkly leaves are very tender but might be slightly harder to roll due to their texture. Avoid red cabbage as it can bleed color and has a different flavor profile.
There are a few tricks to keep your rolls neat: first, ensure your cabbage leaves are sufficiently softened and pliable so they can be rolled tightly. Second, when rolling, make sure to tuck in the sides firmly before rolling from the stem end. Third, arrange the rolls snugly in the baking dish. They should be close enough to support each other without being overly crowded. Finally, covering the dish with foil during the initial baking also helps to hold them together and cook gently.
Delicious Serving Suggestions for Your Cabbage Rolls
These hearty cabbage rolls are a complete meal on their own, but pairing them with the right sides can truly elevate the dining experience. For a traditional and comforting approach, serve them with a generous dollop of sour cream or a side of creamy mashed potatoes. The tangy creaminess contrasts beautifully with the rich tomato sauce and savory filling.
If you’re looking for something a bit lighter, a simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing provides a refreshing counterpoint. Roasted vegetables like asparagus, green beans, or carrots also make excellent companions, adding color and nutrients without overpowering the main dish. For those who enjoy a bread accompaniment, warm dinner rolls or crusty garlic bread are perfect for soaking up every last drop of that flavorful tomato sauce. A crisp, dry white wine or a light-bodied red wine would also complement this dish wonderfully. No matter how you choose to serve them, ensure they are piping hot from the oven, with plenty of that savory sauce spooned over top for maximum enjoyment.
Explore More Hearty Casserole Recipes
If you love the ease and comfort of casserole dishes, you’re in the right place! Here are more delicious and family-friendly casserole recipes to add to your rotation:
- Shredded Beef and Chile Enchiladas: A Mexican-inspired casserole bursting with flavor.
- Classic Shepherd’s Pie: A timeless British comfort food with a savory meat filling topped with mashed potatoes.
- John Wayne Casserole: A hearty and cheesy Tex-Mex inspired dish perfect for a crowd.
- Southwest Ground Beef Casserole: A flavorful casserole with a southwestern twist, ideal for weeknights.
- Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole: A creamy and satisfying classic that combines chicken, rice, and broccoli.
- Deconstructed Cabbage Roll Casserole: All the flavors of cabbage rolls in an easier-to-make casserole form!
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Cabbage Rolls
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- 1 large head of green cabbage
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb ground Italian sausage
- 1 ½ cups cooked long grain rice 1/2 cup of uncooked rice will make 1 1/2 cups of cooked rice
- 1 small yellow onion diced (1 cup)
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper plus more for sauce, optional
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning plus more for sauce, optional
- 1 large egg
- 15 oz tomato sauce 1 can, divided
- 10.75 oz condensed tomato soup 1 can
- chopped parsley for garnish
Things You’ll Need
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13×9 baking dish
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Mixing bowls
Before You Begin
- The meat mixture can be varied – you can substitute ground turkey for the ground beef or sausage. Hot Italian sausage would also be a flavorful substitution.
- The tomato soup addition to the tomato sauce adds a little sweetness to the sauce and helps to cut the acidity down a bit. You can add additional herbs and spices to the tomato sauce if desired. However, do not add more salt – the tomato soup has enough already.
- Some recipes pre-cook the meat. The meat cooks up completely in the oven. We did pre-cook the rice to ensure it cooks fully and is tender in the cabbage rolls.
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
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Soften the cabbage leaves by gently removing them from the head of cabbage and placing them in a large bowl with about an inch of water at the bottom. Microwave for 2-3 minutes at a time until leaves are wilted. Drain water from bowl.
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In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, sausage, cooked rice, onion, salt, pepper, garlic, Italian seasoning, egg, and ½ cup of the tomato sauce. Use gloved hands to thoroughly combine all ingredients.
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In another bowl, whisk together the remaining tomato sauce, condensed tomato soup, and an additional pinch of Italian seasoning and pepper, if desired.
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Place about ½ cup of this sauce mixture in the bottom of a 9×13 casserole dish, spreading it evenly.
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Lay one cabbage leaf flat and place about ⅓ cup of the meat/rice mixture in the center. Fold the stem side and top side of the cabbage leaf toward each other, then roll up the sides like a burrito to form a packet.
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Place each cabbage packet seam-side down in the prepared casserole dish.
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Continue filling and rolling cabbage leaves until the meat mixture is used up and the casserole dish is full (yields about 9 large cabbage rolls).
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Pour the rest of the tomato sauce evenly over the top of the cabbage rolls.
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Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 1 hour, or until the internal temperature of the cabbage rolls reaches 145°F (63°C) with an instant-read thermometer.
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Remove aluminum foil, baste the cabbage rolls with the sauce, and bake an additional 10 minutes, uncovered, to allow the sauce to thicken slightly.
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Garnish with chopped parsley and serve warm.
Expert Tips & FAQs
- Store cooked leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- To freeze: flash freeze uncooked rolls on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer to a large ziptop bag and freeze for up to 5 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bake as directed, adding a few minutes to cook time if needed.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.