Insanely Good Cabbage Rolls in Tomato Sauce Recipe (2024)

Last Updated: By Linnie 1 Comment

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Cabbage Rolls in Tomato Sauce are a gluten-free grandmother-worthy favorite. Can you smell the nostalgia? (Gluten-free)

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Insanely Good Cabbage Rolls in Tomato Sauce Recipe (1)

Let me take you back to my childhood. Early this week I share the amazing low-carb pizza crust and in that post I mentionedhow these cabbage rolls bringon a certain nostalgia for me. Filling each cabbage leaf with steaming beef and rice, carefully rolling them and tucking in the edges to create a perfect pocket brings fuzzy feelings to my heart.I specifically remember weekends at mygrandmother’s making these when I was a child.

Being atmy grandparents place as a child brings such fond memories for me. It was a home away from home. Different smells, different toys, and I was allowed to drink ‘coffee’; which was more like all milk lots of sugar and just a teeny amount of coffee. It was delicious cold coffee nonetheless. I felt like a grown-up.

Insanely Good Cabbage Rolls in Tomato Sauce Recipe (2)

As the cabbage head boil on the stove top it immediately brought back more memories of the distinct cooked cabbage smell, which even as a kid I loved the smell.

I always thought these were a part of my Irish roots until I started thinking; My grandmother who would make these wasn’t the one with Irish descent side. Even though I’ve always associated cabbage rolls with Ireland. Doing a little bit more digging I came to find these originated in Poland and Czech Republic area.I am a quarter Czechoslovakian from my grandmothers side and that is how these cabbage rolls made a way into my heart, and my tummy.

That is why I love food. I find it so amazing and fascinating how much our families and our heritage effects what foods we are exposed too. Is it just me?Roland couldn’t believe this was a family meal of minegrowing up. His Mexican heritage didn’t expose him to cabbage rolls. Just like with my European heritage I wasn’t exposed to his families caldo.I also was never exposed to tamales till I meant him either. #YUM

Insanely Good Cabbage Rolls in Tomato Sauce Recipe (3)

I told him I’d make caldo next and I’m kind of excited to how it’ll turn out. I’ll share here if I can make it taste like his Moms caldo. There was a hefty amount of cabbage left from these cabbage rolls and we do not waste in this house. As soon as I told him I’m freezing it to add insome kind ofsoup the request for caldo was almost immediate.

Total moment of honesty now. I made these on a whim and completely by what I remembered. I’m pretty sure it wasn’t to the ‘T’ like my grandmothers and I’m even more so wanting to ask her for her recipe now. Pretty darn good for on a whim and just winging it though.

They tasted and reminded me of my sweet, sweetchildhood.

Insanely Good Cabbage Rolls in Tomato Sauce Recipe (4)

What is your family food tradition that gives you warm, fuzzy feelings just thinking about?

Cabbage Rolls in Tomato Sauce Recipe

Main

Gluten-free

American

Cabbage Rolls in Tomato Sauce are a gluten-free grandmother-worthy favorite. Can you smell the nostalgia? (Gluten-free)

Yield: 5

Prep Time:35 min

Cook Time:90 min

Total Time:125 min

Ingredients:

  • 8-10 cabbage leaves
  • 1 pound ground beef, cooked (or use our vegetarian meat replacement)
  • 2 cups white rice, cooked
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 Tablespoon garlic, minced
  • Pinch of Salt and Pepper
  • 28 ounce can of diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup chicken stock or vegetable stock for vegetarian
  • 1 Tablespoon Paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon dill

Directions:

  • 1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
  • 2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook cabbage head in boiling water just until outer leaves start pulling away easily. Peel off 8-10 cabbage leaves. Set aside.
  • 3. In a medium skillet add onion, garlic. Cook until translucent (2-3 minutes).
  • 4. Add in the beef and continue cooking until beef is browned. Drain fat.
  • 5. Stir in cooked white rice and salt/pepper.
  • 6. Cut out the thick vein at the bottom of each leaf. Place about 1/4 cup of meat mixture on a cabbage leave, start to roll, fold in sides and continue to roll from bottom of the leaf up.
  • 7. Place bottom side down in a 9x13 pan.
  • 8. Repeat until all leaves are filled.
  • 9. Combine the tomatoes, chicken stock, paprika, and dill. Pour over the cabbage rolls.
  • 10. Place in the oven, covered for about 90 minutes or until cabbage rolls are tender.

Author: Linnie

Nutrition Information:

Serving size: 1 roll Calories: 134 Fat: 4 g Saturated fat: 1 g Unsaturated fat: 0 g Trans fat: 0 g Carbohydrates: 13 g Sugar: 1 g Sodium: 108 mg Fiber: 1 g Protein: 12 g Cholesterol: 26 mg

Recipe, images, and text © Veggie Balance

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  1. Insanely Good Cabbage Rolls in Tomato Sauce Recipe (16)Kay Levine says

    my mother in law’s heritage was eastern European Jew and her recipe is basically the same except garlic added and no dill and extra cabbag was finely chopped and added at the bottom of the dish with tomato sauce with 2 tbsp brown suar and a couple handfulls of white raisons this sauce was then ladeled on top before serving-My mother’s with her Irish and Swiss heritage was similar to yours!!

    Reply

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Insanely Good Cabbage Rolls in Tomato Sauce Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why is my cabbage tough on my cabbage rolls? ›

If your cooked cabbage is tough, it's likely because the cabbage is not cooked through yet. Continue to cook the rolls until they're tender. It's also important to make sure you let the rolls rest after they're finished baking.

What are Ukrainian cabbage rolls made of? ›

Description. Ukrainian meat stuffed cabbage rolls. Made with sweet green cabbage, beef, pork, carrots, onions, tomatoes, rice, fresh dill/ parsley, spices.

What makes cabbage taste sweet? ›

This is because as the temperatures drop, the cold causes the plants to break down the energy and convert it into sugar, leading to a sweeter, tastier flavor. There are different types of cabbage; light green, dark green, red and purple are the most common. They are all versatile in the way you can prepare them.

Why does my cabbage taste bland? ›

You don't salt your cabbage appropriately

The second most popular people dislike cooking cabbage is how bland it may taste thanks to the excess moisture it releases during cooking. So, if you're making a slaw, experts advise that you salt the cabbage before combining it with other vegetables.

What is the best type of cabbage for cabbage rolls? ›

I used savoy cabbage because it has a beautiful texture and color, but feel free to use any white / green cabbages. You can also use nappa cabbage leaves as well! Make sure to dry out the leaves thoroughly. If there's lots of water on the cabbages, the filling won't stick and the roll will come apart.

What are German cabbage rolls made of? ›

ingredients
  1. 1 large cabbage.
  2. 1 cup uncooked rice.
  3. 1 cup beef stock.
  4. 12 teaspoon salt.
  5. 2 tablespoons butter.
  6. 1 onion, chopped.
  7. 1 lb ground beef.
  8. 1 egg, beaten.

Why do you freeze cabbage before making cabbage rolls? ›

Freezing breaks down the structure of the leaves, making them pliable and unlikely to crack or break when you pull them from the head or roll them for stuffing.

What does baking soda do to cabbage? ›

Baking soda does help green vegetables retain color, but it causes undesirable color changes in red cabbage—it turned blue. The science can be distilled to this: Adding baking soda to cooking water makes it slightly alkaline, which stabilizes the green color of chlorophyll.

Can you overcook cabbage? ›

The key to cooking cabbage: Don't overcook it.

Cabbage is sweet and aromatic when cooked correctly. But the same sulfuric compounds that provide many of its health benefits can turn saboteur when overcooked, creating a pungent, unpleasant smell.

Why do you soak shredded cabbage in water? ›

Crisp it up: Shredded cabbage stays perky if it's soaked in cold water.

What country invented cabbage rolls? ›

Initially, cabbage rolls were created by the Turkish, who claim to be the original cookers of the dish. But as they conquered more and more territory, the recipe was spread and adapted by tens of other countries.

What are Hungarian cabbage rolls made of? ›

Once the cabbage leaves are softened, stuff them with a mixture of minced meat, uncooked rice, eggs, onion, garlic, paprika, ground black pepper, salt, and roll them up into tight little packages. Place the cabbage rolls between 2 layers of rinsed and drained sauerkraut, pour water over and bake for 1.5 – 2 hours.

What ethnicity are cabbage rolls? ›

The cabbage roll is a staple in the Romanian cuisine with variations of the recipe and sizing depending on the region, typically taking up to 6 hours to cook. Traditionally made with pork, beef, bacon, rice, spices and aromatics, broiled in a tomato sauce and served with polenta, sour cream and spicy pickled peppers.

What goes well with cabbage rolls? ›

1) Fresh salad with a zingy lime vinaigrette. You can use cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, sliced red onions, some mixed salad greens and toasted walnuts. 2) Bread- Soft dinner rolls go well with cabbage rolls. Garlic bread also goes well with it.

How do you cook cabbage without it getting mushy? ›

Insert a steamer basket inside a saucepan. Add enough water to the pan so the water level is just below the bottom of the basket. Bring water to a boil, then add cabbage wedges to the steamer basket. Cover and steam for 10 to 12 minutes, or until cabbage is crisp-tender.

How long is stuffed cabbage good for? ›

Do you want to eat the stuffed cabbage in the next week? If so, place them in the refrigerator. The stuffed cabbage will stay fresh for up to 1 week. If not, place them in the freezer.

References

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