This Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe features tender cabbage leaves filled with seasoned ground pork, rice, and tomato sauce for a comforting, hearty meal the whole family will love!
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Quick Recipe Overview
WHAT: Tender cabbage leaves wrapped around a savory filling of ground pork, white rice, and diced tomatoes in rich tomato sauce.
WHY: This comforting dish delivers hearty flavors and satisfying textures while being surprisingly simple to prepare for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
HOW: Soften cabbage leaves, cook seasoned pork with rice and tomatoes, roll the filling into leaves, then bake covered in sauce.
Jump to:
- Quick Recipe Overview
- Why I Love Making Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe
- Ingredient Notes
- Classic Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe
- How To Make Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
- FAQs for Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe
- My Best Tips for Making Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
- What to Serve With Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
- Storage & Reheating Tips
- More Favorites From Longbourn Farm
Why I Love Making Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe
This recipe turns cheap ingredients into something truly special—tender cabbage enveloping a perfectly seasoned filling of ground pork and fluffy rice, all simmered in tangy tomato sauce.
What I appreciate most is how forgiving this recipe is for home cooks. Each step is straightforward and manageable. Boiling the cabbage leaves makes them soft and easy to work with, while the foil-covered baking method ensures they emerge from the oven fork-tender every single time.
These cabbage rolls also make fantastic leftovers. The flavors deepen overnight, making day-two servings even more delicious than the first. Whether I'm feeding my family on a busy weeknight or preparing something impressive for guests, this recipe delivers consistent, crowd-pleasing results.
🩷 Melissa
Looking for a recipe that's both comforting and impressive? These stuffed cabbage rolls bring together tender leaves, savory ground pork, fluffy rice, and rich tomato sauce in one incredible bite.
The best part? They're easier to make than they look, and the leftovers taste even better the next day.
Whether you're looking for a cozy weeknight dinner or something impressive to serve guests, this recipe delivers big flavors with straightforward steps!
Ingredient Notes
Dried Dill: This herb adds a subtle, slightly tangy flavor that complements the tomato sauce beautifully. Fresh dill works too—use about 1 tablespoon chopped in place of the dried version.
Tomato Sauce: Look for plain tomato sauce without added seasonings so you control the flavor profile.
For the exact amounts needed, please see the recipe card below.
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Classic Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 large head of green cabbage
- 1 pound ground pork
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- 1 can diced tomatoes, drained ((14 ounce))
- 2 cups cooked white rice
- 3 cups tomato sauce (divided)
Instructions
- Boil a large pot of water. Once the water, add the cabbage for 8 minutes. After 8 minutes, remove the lettuce leaves and place them on a plate to cook.
- Combine the ground pork, dill, chili powder, onion powder, and garlic powder in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the pork until no longer pink in the middle (about 7 minutes). While the pork is cooking, preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Once the pork is cooked, drain the excess fat and add the diced tomatoes, rice, and 1 cup of tomato sauce. Stir to combine the ingredients.
- Place about ⅓ cup of the pork/ rice mixture in the middle of each cabbage leaf and roll the leaves up like burritos.
- Place your cabbage rolls in a 9x13 inch baking dish with the seam-side facing down. Cover the dish with the remaining tomato sauce.
- Cover the baking dish with tin foil and cook for 50 minutes.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
How To Make Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
Step 1: Boil a large pot of water and add the cabbage. Once slightly softened, remove and cool the leaves on a plate. In a large skillet, cook the ground pork with dill, chili powder, onion powder, and garlic powder until no longer pink. Preheat the oven.
Step 2: Once the pork is cooked, drain the excess fat and add the diced tomatoes, rice, and some tomato sauce. Stir to combine the ingredients.
Step 3: Spoon some of the pork/rice mixture in the middle of each cabbage leaf and roll the leaves up like burritos.
Step 4: Place your cabbage rolls in a baking dish. Cover the dish with the remaining tomato sauce. Cover the baking dish with tin foil and cook until tender.
FAQs for Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe
Boiling the cabbage head for 8 minutes softens the leaves considerably, making them flexible and easy to peel away. If you encounter a particularly thick stem on any leaf, carefully trim it with a paring knife to make rolling easier.
Place your filling in the center of each leaf, fold the sides inward like you're wrapping a present, then roll from the bottom up tightly. Position the rolls seam-side down in your baking dish so they hold their shape during cooking.
Make sure to drain your diced tomatoes thoroughly before adding them to the filling. Also, avoid overcrowding the baking dish, which can trap excess moisture. The foil cover creates steam, but proper draining prevents sogginess.
Green cabbage works best for this recipe because of its sturdy leaves and mild flavor. Savoy cabbage is a decent alternative with a slightly more delicate texture, though the leaves tear more easily than traditional green cabbage.
My Best Tips for Making Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
☞Drain The Meat Thoroughly: Ground pork releases considerable fat during cooking, and removing this excess ensures the filling has the right consistency and prevents greasy rolls.
☞ Let The Rolls Rest For 5-10 Minutes After Baking: This allows the sauce to thicken slightly and makes serving much neater. The rolls will hold together better and look more presentable on the plate.
☞Core the Cabbage Before Boiling: Use a sharp knife to cut around the core in a cone shape, then the leaves will naturally separate as they soften in the boiling water.
☞Don't Skip Draining The Cooked Meat: Ground pork releases considerable fat during cooking, and removing this excess ensures your filling has the right consistency and prevents greasy rolls.
☞Layer Sauce On The Bottom Of Your Baking Dish Before Adding The Rolls: This prevents sticking and ensures even flavor distribution. Pour the remaining sauce over the top just before covering with foil.
☞Freeze Extras in Individual Portions: Wrap each roll separately in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer bag. Reheat single servings in the microwave for convenient lunches or last-minute dinners.
What to Serve With Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
These hearty rolls pair beautifully with crusty bread or garlic bread for soaking up the delicious tomato sauce. A simple cucumber and tomato salad with a light vinaigrette provides refreshing contrast to the rich filling.
Mashed potatoes or buttered egg noodles make the meal even more substantial and comforting. For a lighter option, serve alongside roasted green beans or sautéed spinach seasoned with garlic.
Storage & Reheating Tips
Refrigerator Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe
Store leftover cabbage rolls in an airtight container with their sauce for up to 4 days. The flavors continue to develop, making leftovers especially tasty.
Reheating Cabbage Rolls
Microwave individual rolls for 60-90 seconds, starting with 30-40 seconds and adding time as needed. You can also reheat in a covered dish in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes. Add a splash of water if the sauce seems dry.
Freezing Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
Cooked cabbage rolls freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. Cool completely, then store in freezer-safe containers with sauce. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating, or reheat from frozen in a 350°F oven for 45-60 minutes (covered).
Make-Ahead Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
Assemble the rolls up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate unbaked. Add 10 minutes to the baking time if cooking directly from the refrigerator. You can also freeze unbaked rolls and bake from frozen, adding 20-30 extra minutes to the cooking time.
More Favorites From Longbourn Farm
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Classic Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe
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Cheesy Pizza Zucchini Boat Recipe
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Air Fryer Frozen Corn Dogs
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Cauliflower And Kale Soup
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