A step-by-step recipe for classic Russian Cabbage Rolls. Stuffed cabbage filled with ground meat, rice, sauteed vegetables rolled in cabbage in a delicious sauce.

Just like authentic borscht and Oliver Salad, these rolls are a must in the Russian kitchen.

Cabbage rolls recipe. Stuffed cabbage with a meat, rice and veggie filling in a casserole dish with a spoon.

stuffed cabbage rolls-

Whenever I make stuffed rolls, it always reminds me of my mom’s cooking. I remember making these with her, such awesome memories. This recipe is hers and I’m so excited to share it. Cabbage leaves stuffed with rice, meat and veggie filling and baked in a juicy sauce. The rolls are so tender and juicy once baked. The flavors are similar to that of our oven braised cabbage! Serve both at family gatherings and holidays.

Up close picture of stuffed cabbage topped with ground pepper and fresh dill.

how to make cabbage rolls-

Though the process of making stuffed cabbage (pigs in a blanket) is slightly more time consuming than most recipes, it’s SO worth the wait.

cook rice-

  • Cook long grain white rice 12 minutes. The rice should be cooked but not fully cooked, it will finish cooking when cabbage rolls are baking.
  • Drain and rinse under cold water. Cover and set aside.

cook and prepare cabbage-

  • Remove center of cabbage.
  • Add to pot and cover with water. As cabbage leaves are tender and cooked, remove single leaves so they don’t turn mushy.
  • Once cooked, layout cabbage leaves. Remove the center thickest part of leaf (core) and cut cabbage leaf into 3 part for smaller cabbage rolls or 3 parts for large cabbage rolls.
Collage how to cook and prepare the cabbage for stuffed cabbage rolls recipe.

sautee vegetables-

  • Chop onions, saute in a skillet with butter.
  • Add grated carrots, cook until tender about 4 minutes. Set aside to cool.
How to sauté the vegetables for the meat filling for this cabbage rolls recipe.

prepare filling-

  • In a bowl, combine the rice, sauteed vegetables, ground meat and remaining ingredients.
  • Mix everything until well incorporated.

NOTE: We use Vegeta seasoning because we love it and that’s what I grew up using. If you don’t have Vegeta, substitute for your favorite seasoning (but you really need to purchase some, it’s amazing on everything).

How to prepare the filling for stuffed cabbage, combining the ground meat, cooked rice, sauteed vegetables and seasoning for cabbage filling.

how to wrap cabbage rolls-

  • Reserve the thickest cabbage leaves to align the baking dish to keep cabbage rolls from burning.
  • Take one of the leaves, add some filling to the leaf. Shape cabbage roll into a cone.
  • Take the tops of the leaf that’s sticking out and tuck it down into the filling.
How to wrap cabbage rolls, stuffed cabbage with a simple rice and meat filling.

how to bake cabbage rolls-

I like to align the bottom of my baking dish or dutch oven with leftover cabbage leaves, they keep the cabbage rolls from burning.

  • Cover bottom of a baking dish with cabbage rolls.
  • Layout first row of stuffed cabbage rolls over leaves.
  • Add red pepper and butter.
  • Add the second layer of stuffed cabbage and top with remaining butter and peppers, pour sauce over everything.
  • Cover tops of cabbage rolls with more cabbage leaves.
  • Cover baking dish with foil when baking.

BAKING DISH: I have a really deep baking dish that I use and am able to get two rows in and fit all of the cabbage rolls. If you don’t have a deep dish, use two casserole dishes or a Dutch oven.

How to make stuffed cabbage rolls with a creamy tomato sauce.

sauce for stuffed cabbage recipe-

If you will be baking the rolls immediately, you can pour the sauce while it’s hot over the stuffed rolls. If you will be making them in advance, allow the sauce to completely cool before pouring over rolls.

  • Bring ketchup to a slight boil in a pan.
  • Add the sour cream, heavy whipping cream, salt, pepper and mix vigorously.
  • Add the broth, let cook about 30 seconds.

how long do I bake stuffed cabbage?

The baking time for stuffed cabbage will depend on the size of the cabbage rolls and what you bake them in. Anywhere between 1 – 1 1/2 hours for baking.

can I freeze rolls?

Yes, cabbage rolls freeze great and you can freeze them uncooked or cooked.

UNCOOKED: Completely follow recipe instruction until you need to bake the cabbage rolls. Place in freezer, they rolls will be good up to 3 months. Completely THAW in the refrigerator before baking and bake per original instructions.

COOKED: Add cooked rolls to a freezer container, will last up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw completely and reheat in a skillet with the tomato sauce over low heat.

Stuffed cabbage rolls stacked on a place topped with sour cream and dill.

I can’t wait for you to give these classic stuffed cabbage rolls a try. Don’t forget to add sour cream and fresh dill before serving. 🙂

Try these other DINNER recipes:

Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe

Author: Valentina
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5 from 7 votes
Amazing recipe for Stuffed Cabbage Rolls filled with ground meat, rice, sauteed vegetables. A classic Russian dish that is loved by all!
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 10 servings

Ingredients

cabbage rolls-

  • 1 large head cabbage
  • 2 lbs ground pork
  • 1 cup uncooked rice
  • 4 Tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 large onions
  • 2 large carrots
  • 1 red pepper
  • 1 tsp ground black pepper
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp Vegeta seasoning (or favorite seasoning)
  • 1/4 cup mayo
  • 2 Tbsp dill
  • 8 Tbsp butter

sauce-

  • 3/4 cup ketchup
  • 3 Tbsp sour cream
  • 3 Tbsp heavy whipping cream
  • ¾ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp ground black pepper
  • 2 cups chicken broth

Instructions

Cooking Cabbage-

  • Cut out the core from a large head of cabbage, discard top few cabbage leaves. 
  • Add cabbage to a pot and completely cover with water. Bring to a boil and cook 5 minutes. 
  • Turn cabbage over. Continue cooking and peel off any leaves that have lightly softened but not mushy. Continue until most of the cabbage leaves are cooked.

Prepare Filling for Cabbage Rolls-

  • Boil rice about 12 minutes, until it starts to soften. Don’t overcook. The rice will finish cooking in the oven. Drain water and rinse rice under cold water. Place in large bowl.
  • Saute onions with 2 Tbsp butter over medium/high heat.
  • Clean and grate carrots. Add to onions with another 2 Tbsp butter, saute until carrots are tender. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.

Making Stuffed Cabbage Rolls-

  • In a large bowl, combine the rice, ground meat, sauteed vegetables, seasoning, dill and mayo. Mix well to combine.
  • Once cabbage leaves cool, take each leaf and remove the hard rib. Cut leaves into two or three parts.
  • On the bottom of a roasting pan or casserole dish, add unused cabbage leaves.

Stuff cabbage-

  • Take one of the leaves. Add some meat to it, shape into a cone (parts of the leaf will stick out). Tuck sides into the filling, creating a cone.
  • Place into the casserole dish. Repeat with remaining ingredients until you have a full layer.
  • Take the red pepper, discard of the seeds and cut into thin slices. Add half the pepper slices atop the cabbage rolls and half of the butter, sliced.
  • Lay out the rest of the cabbage rolls. Top with the rest of the pepper strands and cube remaining butter. 

Sauce-

  • Bring ketchup to a slight boil in a skillet. Add the sour cream, heavy whipping cream, salt, pepper and mix vigorously. Add broth, mix and let simmer about 30 seconds.
  • Once sauce COOLS, pour over the cabbage rolls.
  • Cover the top of the cabbage rolls with more cabbage leaves. (This will help so the top of the layers do not burn). Discard of the top leaves when serving. Cover dish with foil.
  • Bake in oven 375°F 60-80 minutes. The top cabbage leaves will turn a nice brown color, and the cabbage rolls will be tender and soft.
  • Serve with sour cream and fresh dill. 

Notes

If you don’t have Vegeta, add any favorite seasoning.

Nutrition

509kcal Calories29g Carbs18g Protein35g Fat15g Saturated Fat100mg Cholesterol1438mg Sodium616mg Potassium3g Fiber8g Sugar3990IU Vitamin A53.5mg Vitamin C78mg Calcium1.6mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 509 Calories from Fat 315
% Daily Value*
Fat 35g54%
Saturated Fat 15g94%
Cholesterol 100mg33%
Sodium 1438mg63%
Potassium 616mg18%
Carbohydrates 29g10%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 8g9%
Protein 18g36%
Vitamin A 3990IU80%
Vitamin C 53.5mg65%
Calcium 78mg8%
Iron 1.6mg9%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
(The nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.)