Name: Easy Cabbage Rolls Recipe
Prep time: 2 h 30 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 3 h 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup cooked white rice; 1 pound ground turkey; 1 pound Italian sausage; 1 egg; 1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs; 1 cup red onion, diced; 4 garlic cloves, minced; 14 oz. crushed tomatoes; 8 oz. tomato sauce; 1 teaspoon sugar; 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1 cup chicken stock; Kosher salt, to taste; Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste; 1 head green cabbage, frozen; 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, minced

There’s something truly comforting about a dish that wraps all those cozy flavors into neat little parcels. This Easy Cabbage Rolls Recipe is exactly that—hearty, savory, and perfect for those days when you want a meal that feels like a warm hug from the inside out.

The image shows two rolled cabbage leaves stuffed and covered with a thick red tomato sauce on a white plate with light grey lines. The stuffed cabbage rolls are yellowish-green with a soft texture, and the sauce on top is unevenly spread, showing a rough, chunky texture with a bright red-orange color. The plate sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Cabbage Rolls Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Easy Cabbage Rolls Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Easy Cabbage Rolls Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Honestly, cabbage rolls hold a special place in my recipe box. They may seem a bit intimidating at first glance, but this easy version changes the game—it’s straightforward, delicious, and yields so much generous flavor with minimal fuss.

Simplicity Meets Flavor: The layered spices and fresh ingredients make every bite incredibly satisfying without complicated steps.
Effortless Prep: Freezing the cabbage first makes peeling leaves a breeze—trust me, this trick saves so much time and frustration.
Versatile and Filling: Combining turkey with Italian sausage keeps the rolls juicy and hearty, perfect for family dinners or meal prepping.
Comfort Food Staple: The rich tomato sauce with hints of cinnamon and cumin adds a unique warmth that feels like home on a plate.

A close-up of a stuffed cabbage roll with three visible layers: the outer layer is soft yellow cabbage leaves wrapped around, the middle layer is light brown cooked ground meat filling with a grainy texture, and the top layer is a red tomato sauce coating some parts of the cabbage roll. The cabbage roll sits on a white plate with a light brown sauce spread around it. In the background, a glass baking dish holds similar stuffed cabbage rolls on a white marbled surface. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient plays its part in making these cabbage rolls comforting and satisfying. The mixture of meats, combined with aromatic spices and a tangy tomato sauce, creates a balance that feels both hearty and fresh. When you're shopping, look for fresh cabbage that's firm and dense, and don’t skip the freezing step—it’s key!

Flat lay of a whole head of fresh green cabbage with crisp leaves, a small white ceramic bowl filled with fluffy cooked white rice, a mound of raw ground turkey in natural pink tones, a mound of raw Italian sausage with marbled fat and rich red color, one whole clean uncracked brown egg, a small white ceramic bowl holding golden Italian bread crumbs, a small white ceramic bowl with diced bright red onion, a small white ceramic bowl with minced fresh white garlic cloves, a small white ceramic bowl filled with vibrant red crushed tomatoes, a small white ceramic bowl with smooth red tomato sauce, a small white ceramic bowl containing fine white granulated sugar, small piles of ground warm brown cumin and reddish-brown ground cinnamon powders arranged separately, a small white ceramic bowl of clear golden chicken stock, a few sprigs of fresh bright green parsley, and small piles of coarse kosher salt and freshly cracked black peppercorns—all arranged with perfect symmetry and realistic proportions, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Green cabbage: Freezing loosens the leaves for easy peeling, and its mild flavor soaks up the sauce beautifully.
Cooked white rice: Acts as a binder in the filling, adding texture and making the rolls more filling.
Ground turkey: A lean base that keeps things light without sacrificing flavor.
Italian sausage: Adds richness and spice to the filling, giving it that classic depth.
Egg: Helps hold the filling together so your rolls won't unravel during baking.
Italian bread crumbs: Another binder that keeps the filling moist and cohesive.
Red onion and garlic: Their sautéed aroma forms the flavorful foundation of the sauce and filling.
Crushed tomatoes & tomato sauce: Create the luscious, tangy base of the baking sauce.
Sugar: Balances the acidity of the tomatoes for a rounder taste.
Cumin & cinnamon: Give the sauce an unexpected warm, earthy twist that’s delightfully addictive.
Chicken stock: Adds depth and keeps the sauce from becoming too thick.
Kosher salt & black pepper: Season everything perfectly, enhancing all the flavors.
Fresh parsley: A bright, fresh finish that cuts through the richness just right.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

Like any great comfort food, cabbage rolls are perfect for tweaking to your taste or dietary needs. I often swap out the meats depending on what I have on hand or make it veggie-friendly with mushrooms and lentils. Don’t be afraid to experiment—it’s your kitchen and your rules!

Variation: I once tried using ground beef instead of turkey and sausage and found it added a wonderful richness, especially with a touch of smoked paprika.
Vegetarian option: Replace the meat mixture with a hearty mix of quinoa, mushrooms, and walnuts for a meatless but equally satisfying version.
Spice it up: Feel free to add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for an extra kick that I personally love on chillier nights.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Cabbage Rolls Recipe

Step 1: Freeze and Prepare the Cabbage

Start by placing your whole green cabbage in the freezer for a full 24 hours. This is my favorite trick—it makes peeling the leaves off so much easier, without the usual tearful struggle. After freezing, take it out and let it thaw for about 2 hours. You might notice the outer leaves coming off in handfuls, but the inside will still be a bit frozen—just peel what you can and wait for the rest.

Step 2: Make Your Sauce

While the cabbage thaws, heat some olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Sauté diced red onion and minced garlic for 6 to 8 minutes until softened and fragrant—the smell alone is worth it. Then add crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, sugar, cumin, cinnamon, and chicken stock. Let it simmer gently to marry all those flavors, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Once ready, remove the sauce from heat and let it cool a bit while you prepare the filling.

Step 3: Mix the Filling

In a large bowl, combine the cooked rice, ground turkey, Italian sausage, egg, Italian bread crumbs, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Don’t be shy about mixing well—you want everything evenly combined so you get a consistent flavor and texture throughout your rolls.

Step 4: Assemble Your Rolls

Lay a cabbage leaf flat on your work surface. Using a medium ice cream scoop or spoon, place a good portion of your meat filling onto the widest part of the leaf. Fold the sides of the leaf in tightly over the filling, then roll it up snugly from the edge near you to the tip. Don’t worry about perfection; just keep the rolls tight enough so the filling doesn’t spill during baking. Repeat until all your filling and leaves are used.

Step 5: Bake and Enjoy

Preheat your oven to 350ºF and spread half of the tomato sauce over the bottom of a 9x13 casserole dish. Arrange your cabbage rolls seam side down in the sauce, then pour the rest of the sauce over the top. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 45 to 50 minutes until the meat is tender and cooked through. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving—this step helps everything settle and keeps the rolls from falling apart when you cut into them.

Top Tip

From my many attempts making cabbage rolls, a few tips really make the process smoother and the outcome tastier. Don’t rush the cabbage prep and be sure to season your filling well—it makes all the difference. Here are some nuggets of wisdom that have saved me plenty of headaches and helped me nail this recipe consistently.

Freezing Cabbage Leaves: Freezing makes peeling leaves so much easier—skip this and you might spend forever wrestling with stubborn leaves.
Mix Filling Thoroughly: Take time to properly combine all filling ingredients; this ensures even seasoning in every bite.
Bake Covered: Cover the dish while baking to keep moisture in and prevent the rolls from drying out.
Rest Before Serving: Letting the rolls rest for at least 10 minutes after baking helps them set up so they won’t fall apart when plated.

How to Serve Easy Cabbage Rolls Recipe

Garnishes

I love sprinkling freshly chopped parsley right on top for a pop of color and freshness. Sometimes I add a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt—it’s a personal fave that adds creaminess and a little tang that complements the warm spices beautifully.

Side Dishes

For sides, I often serve these cabbage rolls with a simple green salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette to cut through the richness. Garlic mashed potatoes or crusty bread also pair wonderfully to soak up that flavorful sauce.

Creative Ways to Present

For holidays or special dinners, I arrange the rolls in a circular pattern in the casserole dish, then glaze them with extra sauce and a sprinkle of shredded cheese before a final quick broil. It’s a lovely way to dress them up and makes a stunning centerpiece on the table.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover cabbage rolls keep wonderfully in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 4 days. I usually keep some sauce on top to prevent the rolls from drying out overnight.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these rolls both before and after baking. If freezing before baking, arrange rolls with sauce in a freezer-safe dish, wrap tightly, and freeze up to 3 months. When you’re ready to cook, bake from frozen but add extra time. For baked leftovers, simply cool completely and freeze in portions—reheat gently to maintain texture.

Reheating

The best method I’ve found is reheating in a covered dish in the oven at 325ºF until warmed through, about 20 minutes. Microwave works in a pinch, but the oven really helps preserve that tender texture without drying the meat filling out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use fresh cabbage instead of frozen for this recipe?

While you can use fresh cabbage, freezing the head first makes peeling the leaves way easier and reduces the risk of tearing them. If you prefer fresh, blanch the leaves in boiling water for a couple of minutes to soften them.

How do I keep the cabbage rolls from drying out during baking?

Cover your baking dish with foil while cooking to trap moisture, and pour enough sauce over the rolls so they stay juicy. Letting them rest after baking also helps them retain their moisture.

Can I make these cabbage rolls ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can assemble the rolls and refrigerate them overnight before baking. This makes dinner prep super convenient if you want to spread out the work or have a dinner party planned.

What can I serve with cabbage rolls?

Simple sides like mashed potatoes, steamed green beans, or a fresh salad pair wonderfully. You want something that complements the hearty rolls without overpowering them.

Final Thoughts

One thing I truly appreciate about this Easy Cabbage Rolls Recipe is how it brings comforting flavors to your table with relatively little fuss. It’s a dish that feels special enough for guests but approachable enough for weekday dinners. Give it a try—you might find it quickly becoming one of your go-to recipes for warmth, flavor, and that satisfying homemade touch.