If you’re craving a classic, hearty meal made from simple and affordable ingredients, look no further. Stuffed cabbage rolls are packed with flavor and can be easily stored in your freezer for future enjoyment.
Making the Sauce
For a delicious sauce, follow these steps:
- Saute the carrots (again) – Begin by sautéing the remaining grated carrots in a skillet with olive oil and a dash of seasoning.
- Add sour cream and marinara – Once the carrots have softened, stir in some sour cream and additional marinara sauce.
- Pour over the cabbage rolls – Pour this flavorful sauce over the cabbage rolls, and don’t forget to top them with the cabbage water you reserved earlier. Your cabbage rolls are now ready to cook!
How to Cook Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
You have two cooking options for your stuffed cabbage rolls:
- Oven Method – My preferred method is to use a Dutch oven with the lid on. Bake at 450ºF for the first 20 minutes, then lower the temperature to 350ºF and bake for 1 hour.
- Stovetop Method – Bring the stuffed cabbage and sauce to a boil in a large pot with a lid. Reduce the heat, cover, and let the rolls simmer for about 40 minutes.
Pro Tip: You don’t need to pre-cook the ground turkey and pork as they will cook inside the rolls, ensuring they stay juicy.
Common Questions
What are cabbage rolls?
Cabbage rolls are prepared by wrapping cooked, softened cabbage leaves around a mixture of ground meat, rice, and other fillings.
What is the best type of cabbage for cabbage rolls?
Inexpensive regular green cabbage works perfectly for cabbage rolls. Savoy cabbage is also a good alternative.
How do you get cabbage leaves off without breaking them?
Boiling the cabbage leaves makes them soft and pliable. Cutting out the cores before boiling makes it easier to remove the leaves as the cabbage softens.
Can I cut the recipe in half?
Yes, you can easily halve the recipe. It will come to a boil faster, but the final cook time in the oven or on the stovetop will remain the same.
To Serve
Enjoy your cabbage rolls with a dollop of sour cream and a slice of soft French bread. They pair wonderfully with a variety of easy sides:
Make-Ahead
This recipe yields a generous amount of cabbage rolls, but the good news is they are easy to store and freeze:
- To Refrigerate – Cabbage rolls can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing – Transfer cooled cabbage rolls to freezer-safe Ziploc bags in a single layer. Add some sauce to each bag, remove excess air, seal, and freeze for up to 3 months or longer in a deep freezer.
- To Reheat – Thaw frozen cabbage rolls in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat in an oiled skillet over medium heat until fully heated through, turning them a few times while cooking.
Enjoy these homemade cabbage rolls, and please share how you like to serve them in the comments below.
