Insanely Good Cabbage Rolls in Tomato Sauce Recipe (2024)

Last Updated: By Linnie 1 Comment

Jump to recipe

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

Click to PIN this recipe


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

How much did you love this recipe?

Click a star to let me know:

Insanely Good Cabbage Rolls in Tomato Sauce Recipe (6)Insanely Good Cabbage Rolls in Tomato Sauce Recipe (7)Insanely Good Cabbage Rolls in Tomato Sauce Recipe (8)Insanely Good Cabbage Rolls in Tomato Sauce Recipe (9)Insanely Good Cabbage Rolls in Tomato Sauce Recipe (10) (7 votes, average: 4.14 out of 5)

Insanely Good Cabbage Rolls in Tomato Sauce Recipe (11)Loading...

You’ll love these recipes, too!

Blueberry Cream Cheese Truffles Recipe

Stuffed Avocado Taco Bowls with Sweet Potato Recipe

Gluten Free Lo Mein in Under 20 Minutes Recipe

Gluten Free Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

Haven't found exactly what you're looking for? Try our Recipe Index

Reader Interactions

Comments

  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

Leave a Reply

Insanely Good Cabbage Rolls in Tomato Sauce Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between Polish and Ukrainian cabbage rolls? ›

Recipes vary depending on region; northern Poles prefer a savory sauce, while Galicia, Hungary and Ukraine favor sweet-and-sour, for example.

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 is cabbage roll sauce made of? ›

Mix tomato sauce, brown sugar, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce together in a small bowl until combined. Pour over cabbage rolls.

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.

What are German cabbage rolls made of? ›

In a large bowl combine beef, pork and bacon along with the rice, onions, half the garlic and spices as desired. Gently mix vegetable and spices with meat. To make rolls take one leaf, Place a dollop of the meat mixture on leaf. Fold bottom of leaf up over meat then fold sides in and roll.

Why are my stuffed cabbage rolls tough? ›

If your cabbage rolls are too tough, it means that you have not cooked them long enough. My method to start with, letting the cabbage sit overnight, starts to get the cabbage nice and soft. But if they are still not soft enough after cooking, it means that you need to return them to the oven and cook for longer.

Which cabbage has the best flavor? ›

Red cabbage

This variety has a nice sweet flavor and tends to be a little crunchier than green cabbage, Glass says. She warns that this type of cabbage can sometimes turn blue when stir-fried (though it's totally fine to eat), so be aware of the color change.

What does baking soda do to cabbage? ›

You don't add baking soda. Adding baking soda to your boiling cabbage can help reduce the objectionable smell and maintain the green color long after when it typically turns grayish from cooking for too long. However, this may rid the cabbage of its nutritional value.

Why do you soak cabbage in vinegar? ›

An old trick to use is to leave the cabbage lightly doused in vinegar water for a couple of minutes before proceeding to wash the cabbage with water. Usually between two or four minutes. Vinegar kills some types of bacteria and helps killing mold and mildew that could have grown on the cabbage.

Why does my cabbage taste bad? ›

Overcooking cabbage releases sulfur compounds that can give it a bitter taste. Another possible reason is that the cabbage was not fresh.

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 ethnicity are cabbage rolls? ›

“Gołąbki” that's the Polish term for stuffed cabbage rolls. Though the word literally means “doves” it has become globally recognized as the name for one of Poland's most well known dishes too.

What do you serve with cabbage rolls? ›

  • Fresh salad with a zingy lime vinaigrette. ...
  • Bread- Soft dinner rolls go well with cabbage rolls. ...
  • Mashed potato and sauerkraut. ...
  • Gravy.
  • Roasted carrots or other sautéed veges also go well with cabbage rolls.
  • You can also serve it with flavored rice dishes.
Jun 9, 2016

What is Polish stuffed cabbage made of? ›

"Polish cabbage rolls (filled with a mixture of rice, pork, and beef) stewed in tomatoes.

Why is stuffed cabbage good for you? ›

Like its relatives, cabbage is high in anti-cancer and detoxifying sulfur-containing compounds. It is also very high in vitamins K and C and a good source of beta-carotene.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Gov. Deandrea McKenzie

Last Updated:

Views: 5620

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (46 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Gov. Deandrea McKenzie

Birthday: 2001-01-17

Address: Suite 769 2454 Marsha Coves, Debbieton, MS 95002

Phone: +813077629322

Job: Real-Estate Executive

Hobby: Archery, Metal detecting, Kitesurfing, Genealogy, Kitesurfing, Calligraphy, Roller skating

Introduction: My name is Gov. Deandrea McKenzie, I am a spotless, clean, glamorous, sparkling, adventurous, nice, brainy person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.