Description
Italian Stuffed Cabbage Rolls are a comforting and hearty main dish featuring tender cabbage leaves wrapped around a flavorful mixture of ground beef, rice, and Italian seasonings, all baked in a rich marinara sauce and topped with melted mozzarella cheese. This gluten-free recipe offers a delicious, satisfying meal perfect for family dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cabbage Rolls
- 1 large head green cabbage
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1/2 cup cooked rice
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 egg
For the Sauce and Topping
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Prepare Cabbage Leaves: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Carefully remove 10–12 whole cabbage leaves and boil them for 2–3 minutes until they become pliable. Drain the leaves and set them aside to cool.
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté the finely chopped onion for 3–4 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
- Prepare Filling: In a large bowl, combine the sautéed onion and garlic with ground beef or Italian sausage, cooked rice, grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and egg. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the cabbage rolls.
- Assemble Rolls: Place a heaping spoonful of the meat mixture in the center of each cabbage leaf. Fold the sides of the leaf inward and roll it up tightly to enclose the filling.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Pour 1 cup of marinara sauce into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Arrange the stuffed cabbage rolls seam-side down in the dish.
- Add Sauce and Bake: Spoon the remaining marinara sauce evenly over the cabbage rolls. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 45 minutes.
- Add Cheese and Finish Baking: Remove the foil and sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the rolls. Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 10–15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Rest and Serve: Let the cabbage rolls rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld and the rolls to firm up slightly.
Notes
- You can swap the ground beef for ground turkey or use cauliflower rice for a low-carb alternative.
- For a spicier filling, add red pepper flakes to the meat mixture.
- These cabbage rolls freeze well. Bake, cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the freezer for future meals.
