There’s something incredibly comforting about tender cabbage hugging a savory, spiced meat filling, all drenched in rich tomato sauce. That’s exactly why I’m excited to share this Easy Cabbage Rolls with Savory Tomato Sauce Recipe — it’s a homey dish that feels fancy but is surprisingly simple to make!

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 with Savory Tomato Sauce Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Easy Cabbage Rolls with Savory Tomato Sauce Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Easy Cabbage Rolls with Savory Tomato Sauce Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made cabbage rolls plenty of times, but this version stands out because of its balance of flavors and ease. The savory tomato sauce with warming spices and the combo of ground turkey and Italian sausage inside the cabbage leaves makes every bite unforgettable. Plus, prepping it frozen cabbage leaves makes the whole process much easier!

Simple prep with frozen cabbage: Freezing the cabbage makes peeling leaves way less stressful and fast, a trick I wish I knew sooner.
Flavorful, comforting sauce: The tomato sauce with cinnamon and cumin adds unexpected warmth and depth.
Balanced filling: Mixing turkey with Italian sausage keeps the rolls moist without being greasy.
Perfect for gatherings: This recipe easily serves a crowd, making it great for family dinners or potlucks.

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 in this recipe plays a role in creating those juicy, tasty cabbage rolls that you’ll want seconds of. When shopping, grab fresh parsley and quality Italian sausage — they really enhance the flavor.

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 it first helps loosen the leaves, making rolling much less fiddly.
Cooked white rice: Binds the meat filling and keeps it tender.
Ground turkey: Lean and mild, pairs beautifully with seasoned sausage.
Italian sausage: Adds fat and spice, which keeps the rolls juicy and savory.
Egg: Acts as a binder helping everything stick together inside the leaves.
Italian bread crumbs: Absorb moisture and add texture without weighing down the filling.
Red onion: Provides sweetness to the sauce and filling.
Garlic cloves: Essential aromatic that deepens the flavor.
Crushed tomatoes & tomato sauce: Creates that cozy, rich sauce.
Sugar: Balances the acidity of the tomatoes.
Ground cumin & ground cinnamon: Surprising spices that warm the sauce and add complexity.
Chicken stock: Adds savory depth to the sauce.
Kosher salt & freshly cracked black pepper: To taste; essential for bringing all flavors together.
Fresh parsley: Adds a fresh herbal note at the end.

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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

I love adding a little extra kick to the filling sometimes, like red pepper flakes or smoked paprika, but this base recipe is super flexible. You can totally swap the ground meat or even go vegetarian with lentils and mushrooms if you want.

Variation: One time I replaced half the meat with finely chopped mushrooms and it was just as delicious – a great option to sneak in veggies.
Spice it up: Try adding chili powder or cayenne to the sauce for extra warmth.
Herb swap: Fresh dill or thyme work well if parsley isn’t on hand.
Grain variation: Quinoa or barley can stand in for rice for a nuttier texture.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Cabbage Rolls with Savory Tomato Sauce Recipe

Step 1: Freeze and Prepare Your Cabbage Leaves

This might sound odd, but freezing the entire head of cabbage for 24 hours softens the structure just enough that when you thaw it, the leaves peel away easily without tearing. After removing from the freezer, let it thaw for about two hours. You'll likely only be able to peel off a few leaves at first, so be patient and pull gently.

Step 2: Make the Savory Tomato Sauce

Start heating olive oil on medium-high and sauté the diced red onions plus minced garlic for around 6-8 minutes until fragrant and softened. Then stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, sugar, cumin, cinnamon, and chicken stock. Bring to a simmer and season with salt and pepper. Once it’s bubbling gently, take it off the heat and let the flavors marry while you move on.

Step 3: Prepare the Filling

In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked white rice with ground turkey, Italian sausage, egg, and Italian bread crumbs. I find it easiest to use my hands here so everything mixes evenly — just be sure to wash up after! Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 4: Roll Your Cabbage Rolls

Lay one cabbage leaf flat and scoop about a medium-sized ice cream scoop’s worth of filling into the widest part of the leaf. Fold the sides over the filling, then carefully roll it up like a burrito. Repeat this process until you’ve used all your filling and leaves — it’s a great job to hand off to guests or kids for fun!

Step 5: Assemble and Bake

Pour half of your tomato sauce into a 9x13 casserole dish, then nestle the cabbage rolls snugly on top. Pour the remaining sauce over your rolls, cover with foil, and bake at 350ºF for 45 to 50 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the meat is completely cooked through and the cabbage is tender.

Top Tip

After making this recipe a bunch of times, I realized a few key tricks that make all the difference between a successful, easy cabbage roll batch and a frustrating one.

Freeze the cabbage: This step transformed cabbage rolling from stressful to smooth for me. Don’t skip it!
Use an ice cream scoop: Portioning with a scoop keeps the filling even and quick to roll.
Don’t skimp on seasoning: Taste the sauce before assembling and tweak salt, pepper, or sugar for that perfect balance.
Cover while baking: This keeps the rolls moist. I remove the foil only in the last 5 minutes to let the sauce thicken slightly.

How to Serve Easy Cabbage Rolls with Savory Tomato Sauce Recipe

Garnishes

I usually sprinkle freshly minced parsley on top right before serving — its bright green color and fresh flavor really lift the dish. Sometimes I add a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt for a creamy tang contrast that really hits the spot.

Side Dishes

These cabbage rolls pair beautifully with simple roasted potatoes or a crisp garden salad. On chilly nights, I like serving them alongside creamy mashed potatoes for a truly hearty meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For a dinner party, I love plating the rolls individually with a drizzle of extra sauce and a sprinkle of parsley. You could also bake them in individual ramekins for a cute presentation that impresses guests without extra hassle.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, I store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. These cabbage rolls actually taste better the next day once all the flavors have melded. Just reheat gently in the microwave or on the stove to keep them moist.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this recipe successfully by assembling the rolls but skipping the bake step. Freeze them in a single layer on a tray first, then transfer to a freezer bag. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge, cover with sauce, and bake as usual.

Reheating

Reheat in a covered dish in the oven at 350ºF to keep them from drying out — about 20 minutes does the trick. You can also microwave individual portions covered with a damp paper towel to retain moisture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use fresh cabbage instead of freezing it?

You can, but fresh cabbage leaves can be tough to peel without tearing. Freezing softens the leaves making them easier to work with, which saves a lot of frustration when rolling.

What’s the best way to prevent cabbage rolls from falling apart?

Make sure to fold the sides tightly over the filling before rolling, and don’t overstuff the leaves. Using an egg in the filling also helps bind everything together. Baking covered keeps everything moist, so the rolls hold up well.

Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Absolutely! Swap the meat for cooked lentils, mushrooms, or a mix of both. You can keep all the other ingredients the same and you’ll still get delicious, satisfying rolls packed with flavor.

How can I tell when the cabbage rolls are fully cooked?

The meat inside should be cooked through with no pink remaining, and the cabbage leaves should be tender when poked with a fork. Baking for 45-50 minutes at 350ºF usually ensures this, but if you’re unsure, a meat thermometer reading 165ºF internal temp is a reliable indicator.

Final Thoughts

This Easy Cabbage Rolls with Savory Tomato Sauce Recipe has been a go-to comfort food in my kitchen for years, partly because it feels like a warm hug on a plate. It’s a genuine crowd-pleaser and surprisingly easy to pull together, especially once you’ve got the cabbage-freezing trick down. I hope this recipe brings you as much joy making and eating as it’s brought me — so grab that head of cabbage and let’s roll!