Print

Easy Baked Stuffed Cabbage Rolls with Ground Beef and Rice

Three tender cabbage rolls smothered in bright red tomato sauce, one cut open to show the savory meat and rice filling.
Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Make classic, savory stuffed cabbage rolls using ground beef and rice, baked in a simple tomato sauce. This recipe simplifies the rolling process for an easy family dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 large head of green cabbage
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 cup cooked white rice
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Remove the core from the cabbage head. Place the whole cabbage in a large pot of boiling water. Boil for 5 to 10 minutes until the outer leaves soften enough to peel away easily. Remove the cabbage and let it cool slightly. Peel off 12 to 15 large outer leaves. Trim the thick center vein from each leaf if necessary.
  3. In a bowl, combine the ground beef, cooked rice, chopped onion, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
  4. Place about 2 to 3 tablespoons of the meat mixture near the base of each cabbage leaf. Fold the sides of the leaf inward, then roll the leaf tightly toward the tip to form a compact roll.
  5. Arrange the cabbage rolls seam-side down in the prepared baking dish.
  6. In a separate bowl, mix the tomato sauce, water, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar. Pour this sauce evenly over the cabbage rolls.
  7. Cover the baking dish tightly with foil. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes.
  8. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes uncovered to allow the sauce to thicken slightly. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • To speed up softening, you can microwave the whole cabbage for 5 minutes instead of boiling.
  • For a tangier sauce, use crushed tomatoes instead of tomato sauce.
  • If you prefer an unstuffed version, layer the cooked rice, ground beef mixture, and sauce in the baking dish like a casserole and bake for the same time.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookerycourier.com/cabbage-rolls-easy-baked-ground-beef-rice/