Prep Time: 40 mins | Cook Time: 1 hr | Total Time: 1 hr 40 mins | Yield: 8 Servings
Tender cabbage leaves filled with satisfyingly flavorful rice mixed with seasoned ground beef and caramelized onions in rich tomato sauce. Perfect for hungry tummies and will surely satisfy everyone’s tastebuds!
Ingredients
Want to save this recipe? Enter your email below and we’ll send the recipe straight to your inbox!
Cabbage rolls:
16-18 large cabbage leaves
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
1 c cooked rice
1 large onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 large Egg, lightly beaten
1/2 c milk
Sauce:
1 15-ounce can tomato sauce
1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes (do not drain)
1/4 c light brown sugar
1/4 c white balsamic vinegar
1/4 c water
2 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 1/4 cup water
1/4 c chopped parsley leaves for garnish
How to make Classic Cabbage Rolls
Step 1: Prepare the oven and preheat to 175 degrees F.
To Prepare the Cabbage Rolls:
Step 1: Put a large pot with salted water on the stovetop and turn the heat to high. Bring it to a boil.
Step 2: Add the cabbage leaves gradually and cover the pot. Cook the leaves for 3 minutes or until completely wilted.
Step 3: Remove the cabbage leaves and drain. Repeat this method to the rest of the cabbage leaves.
Step 4: Run a knife on both sides of the rib to remove the thick ribs in the middle.
Step 5: Place a large ovenproof skillet on the stovetop and turn the heat to medium-high.
Step 6: Add oil and allow it to become hot.
Step 7: Add onion and cook for 5 minutes or until brown.
Step 8: Add the crushed red pepper flakes and garlic. Sauté for 30 seconds or until aromatic.
Step 9: Remove the skillet from the stove and transfer 1/2 of the mixture into a large bowl.
Step 10: In the same skillet with 1/2 of the onion, add the cooked rice, ground beef, egg, milk, salt, and pepper. Stir until well mixed.
Step 11: Fill each cabbage leaf with the rice-beef mixture.
Step 12: Fold the sides of the overlapping ends, then roll each leaf tightly.
Step 13: Arrange the cabbage rolls into the empty skillet seam side down.
To make the Sauce:
Step 1: In the bowl with the reserved onions, add the sliced tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, vinegar, and brown sugar. Stir until well mixed.
Step 2: Pour the mixture on top of the cabbage rolls.
Step 3: Cover the skillet and place it inside the preheated oven.
Step 4: Bake for 45 minutes or until done.
Step 5: Remove the cover and bake for 15 minutes more.
Step 6: Transfer the rolls onto a serving plate.
Step 7: Place the skillet with the sauce on the stovetop and turn the heat to medium.
Step 8: Add water and cornstarch. Whisk until well combined and thick.
Step 9: Pour the sauce over the cabbage rolls.
Step 10: Sprinkle parsley on top.
Step 11: Serve and enjoy!
![Classic Cabbage Rolls Recipe](https://cookitonce.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Classic-Cabbage-Rolls-Recipe-150x150.jpg)
Ingredients
- Cabbage rolls:
- 16-18 large cabbage leaves
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 c cooked rice
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 large Egg, lightly beaten
- 1/2 c milk
- Sauce:
- 1 15-ounce can tomato sauce
- 1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes (do not drain)
- 1/4 c light brown sugar
- 1/4 c white balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 c water
- 2 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 c chopped parsley leaves for garnish
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the oven and preheat to 175 degrees F.
To Prepare the Cabbage Rolls:
Step 1: Put a large pot with salted water on the stovetop and turn the heat to high. Bring it to a boil.
Step 2: Add the cabbage leaves gradually and cover the pot. Cook the leaves for 3 minutes or until completely wilted.
Step 3: Remove the cabbage leaves and drain. Repeat this method to the rest of the cabbage leaves.
Step 4: Run a knife on both sides of the rib to remove the thick ribs in the middle.
Step 5: Place a large ovenproof skillet on the stovetop and turn the heat to medium-high.
Step 6: Add oil and allow it to become hot.
Step 7: Add onion and cook for 5 minutes or until brown.
Step 8: Add the crushed red pepper flakes and garlic. Sauté for 30 seconds or until aromatic.
Step 9: Remove the skillet from the stove and transfer 1/2 of the mixture into a large bowl.
Step 10: In the same skillet with 1/2 of the onion, add the cooked rice, ground beef, egg, milk, salt, and pepper. Stir until well mixed.
Step 11: Fill each cabbage leaf with the rice-beef mixture.
Step 12: Fold the sides of the overlapping ends, then roll each leaf tightly.
Step 13: Arrange the cabbage rolls into the empty skillet seam side down.
To make the Sauce:
Step 1: In the bowl with the reserved onions, add the sliced tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, vinegar, and brown sugar. Stir until well mixed.
Step 2: Pour the mixture on top of the cabbage rolls.
Step 3: Cover the skillet and place it inside the preheated oven.
Step 4: Bake for 45 minutes or until done.
Step 5: Remove the cover and bake for 15 minutes more.
Step 6: Transfer the rolls onto a serving plate.
Step 7: Place the skillet with the sauce on the stovetop and turn the heat to medium.
Step 8: Add water and cornstarch. Whisk until well combined and thick.
Step 9: Pour the sauce over the cabbage rolls.
Step 10: Sprinkle parsley on top.
Step 11: Serve and enjoy!