Hearty Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe

Hearty Homemade Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe: Family Favorite

Hearty and comforting, these traditional stuffed cabbage rolls deliver a symphony of flavors that dance across your palate.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this classic stuffed cabbage rolls recipe, blending tender cabbage leaves with savory meat and aromatic spices.

Soft cabbage wraps envelop a rich filling of ground beef, rice, and herbs that melt in your mouth with each delightful bite.

The recipe carries whispers of Eastern European kitchens, where grandmothers lovingly crafted these delectable parcels.

Simmered in a tangy tomato sauce, these rolls promise a deeply satisfying meal that connects you to timeless culinary traditions.

Warm, hearty, and packed with robust flavors, this dish stands ready to become a cherished favorite at your dinner table.

Prepare to embark on a delicious journey that celebrates comfort and home-style cooking.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 60 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 7

Ingredients Needed for Flavorful Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

For Base and Liquid:
  • Water: Essential for creating the poaching liquid that infuses flavor and tenderizes cabbage.
  • Salt: Enhances overall taste and helps balance the dish's seasoning.
  • Bay Leaves: Adds subtle herbal depth and aromatic complexity to the cooking liquid.
  • Whole Peppercorns: Provides gentle, warming spice notes during the cooking process.
For Vegetable Components:
  • Green Cabbage: Sturdy wrapper that creates the classic roll structure with tender, mild flavor.
  • Carrot: Brings natural sweetness and vibrant color to the overall dish preparation.
For Binding and Finishing:
  • Tomato Paste: Concentrates rich, tangy flavor and helps create a silky sauce texture.
  • Butter: Adds richness and smooth finish to the sauce with its creamy, golden character.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Helps thicken the sauce and create a velvety, consistent texture.
  • Sour Cream: Introduces a luxurious, tangy creaminess that balances the dish's flavors.
  • Fresh Dill: Optional garnish that brings bright, herbal freshness and visual appeal to the final presentation.

Kitchen Essentials to Roll and Bake Cabbage Rolls

  • Large pot: Essential for boiling cabbage and simmering rolls.
  • Cutting board: Needed for chopping vegetables and trimming cabbage leaves.
  • Sharp knife: Perfect for precise vegetable cutting and leaf preparation.
  • Large skillet: Great for sautéing onions, garlic, bell pepper, and carrot.
  • Wooden spoon: Helps mix and stir ingredients smoothly.
  • Mixing bowl: Ideal for combining meat, rice, and seasoning mixture.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.
  • Serving dish: Helps plate the delicious cabbage rolls.

How to Assemble and Cook Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

  • Cabbage Preparation

Select a fresh cabbage head and gently remove the core. Submerge the entire cabbage in boiling salted water, letting it soften for about 5 minutes. Carefully peel away the tender leaves, setting aside the remaining chopped cabbage for additional flavor.

  • Leaf Transformation

Delicately trim the thick stem portions from each leaf, creating a smooth surface perfect for rolling. Ensure the leaves remain intact and flexible.

  • Flavor Foundation

In a warm skillet, sauté a medley of diced onions, minced garlic, colorful bell peppers, and sweet carrots in rich butter. Allow the vegetables to develop a golden, fragrant character before cooling.

  • Filling Magic

Blend ground meats with fluffy rice, a whisked egg, and the cooled vegetable mixture. Season generously with salt and pepper. Lovingly wrap the savory filling into each cabbage leaf, creating neat little bundles of deliciousness.

  • Cooking Celebration

Nestle the cabbage rolls snugly in a large pot. Pour a vibrant tomato sauce over the rolls, allowing them to simmer and meld their flavors for about an hour until perfectly tender.

  • Final Touch

Create a luxurious sauce by mixing the pot’s cooking juices with a touch of butter and flour. Swirl in velvety sour cream for a creamy finish. Serve alongside golden potatoes and sprinkle with fresh herbs.

Variation Ideas for Classic Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

  • Freeze cabbage overnight before boiling to make leaves more pliable and easier to separate without tearing.
  • Swap ground beef and chicken with turkey, lamb, or plant-based meat alternatives for different flavor profiles and dietary needs.
  • Replace regular rice with quinoa or cauliflower rice to create a lighter, gluten-free version of this classic comfort dish.
  • Transform the recipe by using lentils, mushrooms, and bulgur wheat as filling, maintaining rich texture and satisfying taste.
  • These cabbage rolls freeze beautifully for up to three months. Wrap individually in plastic wrap before placing in freezer containers to preserve quality and prevent freezer burn.

Serving Stuffed Cabbage Rolls for Family Meals

  • Cozy Comfort Plating: Arrange cabbage rolls on a warm ceramic plate with fluffy mashed potatoes nestled alongside, creating a hearty family-style presentation that feels like a warm hug.
  • Rustic Herb Charm: Sprinkle fresh dill and chopped parsley over the rolls just before serving, adding bright green color and a burst of fresh herbal flavor that elevates the entire dish.
  • Creamy Sauce Drizzle: Generously pour the rich sour cream sauce over the cabbage rolls, allowing it to cascade down the sides, creating an irresistible golden-brown appearance that tempts every dinner guest.
  • Countryside Companion: Serve with a crisp green salad or pickled vegetables on the side to balance the rich, meaty rolls and provide a refreshing contrast to the warm, comforting main dish.

Storage and Reheating Tips for Cabbage Rolls

  • Refrigeration Strategy: Store cooked cabbage rolls in airtight containers for up to 4 days. Stack layers carefully to maintain their delicate shape and prevent crushing.
  • Freezer-Friendly Option: Wrap individual rolls in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. These hearty rolls can stay frozen for 3 months without losing flavor or texture. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
  • Meal Prep Hack: Prepare filling and rolls in advance during weekend cooking sessions. Separate raw and cooked components to maximize preparation efficiency and reduce weeknight cooking stress.
  • Smart Reheating Technique: Warm refrigerated rolls gently in microwave or oven with splash of extra tomato sauce. Use medium heat to prevent drying out meat filling and maintain roll's original juicy consistency.
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Irresistible Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Irresistible Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe


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4.6 from 23 reviews

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 19 1x

Description

Homemade banana chocolate chip cookies blend sweet ripe bananas with rich chocolate morsels for an irresistible treat. Crisp edges and chewy centers make these cookies a delightful dessert you’ll want to share with friends and family.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ⅓ cups (170 g/6 oz) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • ⅔ cup (115 g/4 oz) chocolate chips
  • ½ cup (120 ml/4 fl oz) vegetable oil or melted butter
  • 2 tsps ground cinnamon
  • 1 small overripe banana, mashed (about ¼ cup or 60 ml/2 fl oz)
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Melt butter and mash bananas thoroughly in a large mixing bowl, blending brown sugar until the mixture becomes smooth and uniform.
  2. Wet Ingredients: Incorporate egg yolk and vanilla extract, stirring until the mixture achieves a consistent, lump-free texture.
  3. Dry Ingredient Integration: Softly combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt, mixing until a cohesive dough emerges.
  4. Chocolate Enhancement: Gently disperse semi-sweet chocolate chips throughout the dough, ensuring even distribution.
  5. Dough Conditioning: Allow the dough to rest at room temperature for 15-20 minutes, enabling flavor development and structural stabilization.
  6. Oven Preparation: Heat oven to 350°F (175°C), lining a baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone mat.
  7. Portioning and Placement: Scoop uniform dough balls (approximately 1.5 inches) onto the prepared sheet, spacing them 2 inches apart.
  8. Baking Process: Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges turn golden brown and centers remain slightly soft.
  9. Cooling Technique: Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to solidify their structure, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.

Notes

  • Mash Bananas Thoroughly: Ensure bananas are completely smooth to prevent chunky texture and distribute flavor evenly throughout the cookies.
  • Chill Dough Strategically: Resting dough at room temperature helps develop deeper flavor and prevents excessive spreading during baking.
  • Chocolate Chip Distribution: Gently fold chocolate chips to maintain their shape and create pockets of melty chocolate in each bite.
  • Precise Baking Time: Watch cookies closely between 10-12 minutes; golden edges indicate perfect doneness while keeping centers soft and chewy.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 19
  • Calories: 169
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 75 mg
  • Fat: 7 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 25 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 24 mg
Sophie Reynolds

Sophie Reynolds

Co-Founder, Recipe Curator & Culinary Educator

Expertise

  • Home Cooking Innovation & Comfort Recipes
  • Flavor Development & Ingredient Pairing
  • Seasonal Produce Integration
  • Recipe Testing & Instructional Clarity
  • Culinary Education & Community Workshops

Education

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, Boulder, CO

  • Degree: Diploma in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Hands-on training in classic and modern culinary techniques, emphasizing sustainable cooking practices, kitchen professionalism, and real-world restaurant experience through externships.

Oregon State University

  • Degree: B.S. in Nutrition and Food Management
  • Focus: In-depth study of human nutrition, food safety, meal planning, and food-service operations, with a strong foundation in public health, dietetics, and community-based nutrition programs.

Sophie Reynolds is the recipe developer and culinary voice behind many of the approachable, flavor-focused creations at The Dream Café. 

Sophie’s style leans into comfort food made simple: wholesome, satisfying meals anyone can make with confidence. Her passion lies in helping home cooks feel at ease in the kitchen while finding joy in the everyday act of cooking.

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