Best 6 Meatball Cabbage Rolls Recipes

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Embark on a culinary journey with our tantalizing Meatball Cabbage Rolls, a symphony of flavors that will delight your taste buds. These hearty and comforting rolls are a perfect blend of tender meatballs nestled within savory cabbage leaves, simmered in a luscious tomato sauce. With two irresistible variations – classic and vegetarian – this recipe caters to every palate. Get ready to indulge in a comforting and delicious meal that's sure to become a family favorite.

**Classic Meatball Cabbage Rolls:**
Savor the timeless flavors of our Classic Meatball Cabbage Rolls, featuring juicy ground beef and pork meatballs enveloped in tender cabbage leaves. Simmered in a rich tomato sauce infused with aromatic herbs and spices, these rolls offer a delightful balance of savory and tangy flavors. Prepare to be captivated by the irresistible aroma and delectable taste of this classic comfort food.

**Vegetarian Meatball Cabbage Rolls:**
For a delightful plant-based alternative, our Vegetarian Meatball Cabbage Rolls offer a symphony of flavors that will satisfy even the most discerning palate. Meatballs made from a blend of hearty lentils, mushrooms, and vegetables are nestled within tender cabbage leaves, creating a nutritious and flavorful dish. Simmered in a vibrant tomato sauce, these rolls are a testament to the versatility and deliciousness of plant-based cuisine.

**Additional Recipe Variations:**
In addition to the two main recipes, this article also provides inspiration for creative variations:
- **Turkey Meatball Cabbage Rolls:** Substitute ground turkey for a leaner and healthier take on the classic meatballs.
- **Brown Rice Meatball Cabbage Rolls:** Incorporate brown rice into the meatballs for added texture and a boost of fiber.
- **Creamy Mushroom Sauce:** Elevate your cabbage rolls with a creamy mushroom sauce, adding a rich and earthy flavor to the dish.

With its detailed instructions and mouthwatering photographs, this article will guide you through the process of creating these delectable Meatball Cabbage Rolls, ensuring a successful and enjoyable cooking experience. Prepare to tantalize your taste buds and create a memorable meal that will leave your family and friends craving for more.

Let's cook with our recipes!

OLD-FASHIONED CABBAGE ROLLS



Old-Fashioned Cabbage Rolls image

It was an abundance of dill in my garden that led me to try this. My family liked the taste so much that, from then on, I made my old-fashioned cabbage rolls recipe with dill. This is how to make easy cabbage rolls. - Florence Krantz, Bismarck, North Dakota

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h55m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 medium head cabbage (3 pounds)
1/2 pound uncooked ground beef
1/2 pound uncooked ground pork
1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce, divided
1 small onion, chopped
1/2 cup uncooked long grain rice
1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon snipped fresh dill or dill weed
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1/2 teaspoon sugar

Steps:

  • Cook cabbage in boiling water just until outer leaves pull away easily from head. Set aside 12 large leaves for rolls. In a small bowl, combine the beef, pork, 1/2 cup tomato sauce, onion, rice, parsley, salt, dill and cayenne; mix well., Cut out the thick vein from the bottom of each leaf, making a V-shaped cut. Place about 1/4 cup meat mixture on a cabbage leaf; overlap cut ends of leaf. Fold in sides. Beginning from the cut end, roll up. Repeat., Slice the remaining cabbage; place in a Dutch oven. Arrange the cabbage rolls seam side down over sliced cabbage. Combine the tomatoes, sugar and remaining tomato sauce; pour over the rolls. Cover and bake at 350° until cabbage rolls are tender, 1-1/2 hours.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 260 calories, Fat 10g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 50mg cholesterol, Sodium 694mg sodium, Carbohydrate 23g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 18g protein.

MEATBALL CABBAGE ROLLS



Meatball Cabbage Rolls image

My mother often had these cabbage rolls simmering in her slow cooker when my family and I arrived at her house for weekend visits. The mouthwatering meatballs tucked inside made these stand out from any other cabbage rolls I've tried. -Betty Buckmaster, Muskogee, Oklahoma

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 8h25m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 large head cabbage
1 can (8 ounces) no-salt-added tomato sauce
1 small onion, chopped
1/3 cup uncooked long grain rice
2 tablespoons chili powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean)
1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce

Steps:

  • In a Dutch oven, cook cabbage in boiling water just until leaves fall off head. Set aside 12 large leaves for rolls. (Refrigerate remaining cabbage for another use.) Cut out the thick vein from the bottom of each reserved leaf, making a V-shaped cut. , In a large bowl, combine tomato sauce, onion, rice, chili powder, garlic powder and salt. Crumble beef over mixture; mix well. Shape into 12 balls. Place 1 meatball on each cabbage leaf; overlap cut ends of leaf. Fold in sides, beginning from the cut end. Roll up completely to enclose meatball. Secure with toothpicks. , Place in a 5-qt. slow cooker. Pour remaining tomato sauce over cabbage rolls. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or until meat is no longer pink and cabbage is tender. Discard toothpicks.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 323 calories, Fat 11g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 71mg cholesterol, Sodium 762mg sodium, Carbohydrate 31g carbohydrate (8g sugars, Fiber 7g fiber), Protein 28g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

CABBAGE & MEATBALLS



Cabbage & Meatballs image

I think the dill pickles are the secret to this simple yet hearty recipe. When our children were small, they were not too fond of cabbage, but they loved this dish.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 35m

Yield 2 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 10

3 cups chopped cabbage
1 cup tomato juice
1 egg, beaten
1 small onion, chopped
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 tablespoon chopped dill pickle
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
3/4 pound lean ground beef (90% lean)

Steps:

  • Place cabbage in a large saucepan; add tomato juice. Cover and simmer over low heat. Meanwhile, combine the egg, onion, chili powder, vinegar, pickle, salt and pepper. Crumble beef over mixture and mix well. Shape into 2-in. balls. Add to cabbage mixture., Cover and cook over low heat for 15-20 minutes or until meat is no longer pink, stirring occasionally.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 378 calories, Fat 17g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 210mg cholesterol, Sodium 1148mg sodium, Carbohydrate 19g carbohydrate (11g sugars, Fiber 6g fiber), Protein 39g protein.

YUMMY MEATBALL CABBAGE ROLLS (CROCK POT)



Yummy Meatball Cabbage Rolls (Crock Pot) image

Make and share this Yummy Meatball Cabbage Rolls (Crock Pot) recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Delish

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 7h15m

Yield 14-16 rolls, 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 large head of cabbage, cored
24 ounces tomato sauce, divided
1 small onion, chopped
1/3 cup uncooked long grain rice
2 tablespoons chili powder
salt
garlic powder, to taste
1 lb ground beef

Steps:

  • Cook cabbage in boiling water only until the outer leaves fall off the head, about 3 minutes.
  • Remove cabbage from water and removed as many leaves as will come off easily.
  • Reserve 14-16 large leaves for rolls. Return cabbage to water if more leaves are needed.
  • Remove the thick vein from each leaf.
  • In a bowl, combine 8 oz. of tomato sauce, onion, rice, chili powder, salt and garlic powder.
  • Crumble beef over mixture; mix well.
  • Shape into 2 inch balls.
  • Place one meatball on each cabbage leaf; fold in sides.
  • Starting at an unfolded edge, roll up leaf to completely enclose meatball.
  • Secure with toothpicks. Place in a 5 quart slow cooker.
  • Pour remaining tomato sauce over rolls; cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or until meat is no longer pink and cabbage is tender. Discard toothpicks.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 376, Fat 18.2, SaturatedFat 6.8, Cholesterol 77.1, Sodium 1013.8, Carbohydrate 29.2, Fiber 4.5, Sugar 8.6, Protein 25.2

BEEF STUFFED CABBAGE ROLLS



Beef Stuffed Cabbage Rolls image

We have been making this dish in my family since I was a little girl. Mother served it with corn bread fritters-I like to serve it with corn bread muffins.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h35m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 medium head cabbage
1 to 1-1/4 pounds ground beef
1 cup cooked rice
1 small onion, chopped
1 large egg, lightly beaten
2 teaspoons salt-free seasoning
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 can (16 ounces) tomato sauce
4 teaspoons brown sugar
1/4 cup water
1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar

Steps:

  • Remove core from cabbage. Steam 12 large outer leaves until limp. Drain well. , In a bowl, combine ground beef, rice, onion, egg and seasonings; mix well. Put about 1/3 cup meat mixture on each cabbage leaf. Fold in sides, starting at an unfolded edge, and roll up leaf completely to enclose filling. Repeat with remaining leaves and filling. Place rolls in a large skillet or Dutch oven. , Combine tomato sauce, brown sugar, water and lemon juice or vinegar; pour over cabbage rolls. Cover and simmer for 1 hour, spooning sauce over rolls occasionally during cooking.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 268 calories, Fat 11g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 86mg cholesterol, Sodium 423mg sodium, Carbohydrate 24g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 5g fiber), Protein 20g protein.

STUFFED CABBAGE ROLLS



Stuffed Cabbage Rolls image

I don't know where I got this recipe, but I have been using it for well over 20 years. Works well in a slow cooker.

Provided by Judy

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Eastern European     Russian

Time 1h

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 9

⅔ cup water
⅓ cup uncooked white rice
8 cabbage leaves
1 pound lean ground beef
¼ cup chopped onion
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed tomato soup

Steps:

  • In a medium saucepan, bring water to a boil. Add rice and stir. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
  • Bring a large, wide saucepan of lightly salted water to a boil. Add cabbage leaves and cook for 2 to 4 minutes or until softened; drain.
  • In a medium mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, 1 cup cooked rice, onion, egg, salt and pepper, along with 2 tablespoons of tomato soup. Mix thoroughly.
  • Divide the beef mixture evenly among the cabbage leaves. Roll and secure them with toothpicks or string.
  • In a large skillet over medium heat, place the cabbage rolls and pour the remaining tomato soup over the top. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 40 minutes, stirring and basting with the liquid often.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 223.1 calories, Carbohydrate 13.3 g, Cholesterol 65.8 mg, Fat 13.1 g, Fiber 0.9 g, Protein 12.8 g, SaturatedFat 5 g, Sodium 656.9 mg, Sugar 3 g

Tips:

  • Choose the right cabbage: Select a large, firm cabbage with tightly packed leaves. This will make it easier to roll the cabbage rolls and prevent them from falling apart during cooking.
  • Blanch the cabbage leaves: Blanching the cabbage leaves makes them more pliable and easier to roll. To blanch the leaves, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the cabbage leaves and cook for 1-2 minutes, or until they are slightly wilted. Remove the leaves from the boiling water and immediately transfer them to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process.
  • Use a variety of meats: You can use any type of ground meat for the meatballs, such as beef, pork, lamb, or turkey. You can also use a combination of meats. Using a variety of meats will give the meatballs more flavor and texture.
  • Season the meatballs well: Be sure to season the meatballs well with salt, pepper, and other herbs and spices. This will help to flavor the meatballs and make them more delicious.
  • Cook the meatballs thoroughly: Cook the meatballs until they are browned on all sides and cooked through. This will help to prevent the meatballs from becoming dry and tough.
  • Use a flavorful sauce: The sauce for the cabbage rolls is very important. You can use a variety of sauces, such as tomato sauce, cream sauce, or a combination of the two. Be sure to choose a sauce that is flavorful and will complement the meatballs and cabbage.
  • Bake the cabbage rolls until heated through: After you have assembled the cabbage rolls, bake them in a preheated oven until they are heated through. This will help to melt the cheese and bring all of the flavors together.

Conclusion:

Meatball cabbage rolls are a delicious and hearty dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. They are perfect for a special occasion or a weeknight meal. With a little planning and effort, you can easily make these cabbage rolls at home. So next time you are looking for a new and exciting recipe to try, give meatball cabbage rolls a try. You won't be disappointed!

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