Easy Crockpot Cabbage Rolls Recipe | All Things Mamma (2024)

Heartycrockpotcabbage rolls are the kind of satisfying dinner we all crave on cold winter days! With a rice-and-meat filling and flavorful tomato sauce, this recipe is sure to be a family favorite.

Cold winter days call forseriouslysatisfying recipes. We lovechicken and noodleswhen the weather gets chilly, andcreamy potato soupis always a winner too. However, if you’re looking for something a little more rustic, you can’t beat thesecrockpotcabbage rolls.

Stuffed cabbage rolls are a classic comfort food made with ground beef and rice wrapped in cabbage leaves, then slow cooked to perfection. They may be one of the most versatile dishes out there—you can make them as simple or complex as you’d like. (Don’t worry, my recipe is super easy!)

Easy Crockpot Cabbage Roll Recipe

Cabbage rolls are one of those recipes that sounds a littlemehon paper, but once you’ve had them, you know what the fuss is about. They’re savory, but a tiny bit sweet from the cabbage and sauce, super filling, and oh-so-flavorful. And because they cook in acrockpot, you don’t have to worry about them getting dry or overcooked!

Cooking cabbage rolls in acrockpotis also a great way to enjoy them without spending all afternoon in the kitchen. You can prepare everything ahead of time and let theslow cookerdo its magic, so you have more time to relax. (Or fold laundry. Because let’s be real, we’re probably going to be folding laundry.)

Ingredients

See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.

• Cabbage leaves– You’ll want a nice, large cabbage; you’ll have leftovers, which you can use to makecoleslawor soup!
• Nonstick cooking spray

For the Filling:

• Ground beef
• Ground pork sausage– Using pork sausage in the filling adds a lot of flavor, without a lot of work!
• Onion– Yellow or white both work.
• Bell pepper
• Egg– Here’s thebest way to crack an egg!
• Milk
• Cooked rice– Plan a stir fry the night before and make extra rice for this recipe, or use ourInstant Pot white rice.
• Worcestershire sauce
• Kosher salt

For the Sauce:

• Tomato sauce
• Brown sugar– Light brown sugar is best here.
• Apple cider vinegar
• Fresh parsley
• Kosher salt and pepper

Variations

• Make a spicier filling by addingred pepper flakesorhot paprikato taste.
• For a meatless recipe, substitute cookedlentilsfor the ground beef and sausage. Or, use a combination ofplant-based ground beef and Italian sausage.
• You can useground meat like chicken, turkey, or even sausage instead of ground beef.
• Swap in cookedbrown ricefor healthiercrockpotcabbage rolls.
• Add a few crushedgarlic clovesto the filling if you love garlicky flavor.

How to Make Crockpot Cabbage Rolls

1. Cook the cabbage:Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the cabbage leaves, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until they’re soft. Drain well.
2. Make the filling:In a large bowl, use your hands to mix the filling ingredients until combined.
3. Make the sauce:In a separate bowl, whisk together the sauce ingredients.
4. Roll the leaves:Lay a cabbage leaf on a clean work surface. Spoon about ¼ cup of filling along one edge. Roll up the leaf, tucking in the sidesas you go like a burrito. Repeat with the remaining leaves and filling.
5. Assemble:Coat the inside of aslow cookerwith nonstick spray, then arrange the rolls along the bottom with the cabbage rolls seam down. (Stack a few of the rolls seam-side down if needed!) Pour the remaining sauce over the rolls, spreading it as evenly as possible.
6. Cook: Cover theslow cookerand cook on high for 4 to 5 hours, or on low for 7 to 8 hours.
7. Serve: Set the slow cooker stuffed cabbage rolls aside until they’re cool enough to handle. Then, add your favorite toppings, and enjoy!

How to Store Leftover Crockpot Cabbage Rolls

Store any leftover crock pot cabbage rolls in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.

Reheat them in a microwave or on the stovetop until heated through. You can also freeze them for up to 2 months—just thaw them overnight before reheating.

Serving Suggestions

Slow cookercabbage rolls are delicious as-is, but there are plenty of ways to make them an even heartier dinner. Serve them with a side ofmashed potatoesor roasted potatoes for a comforting meal. Or, try serving your cabbage rolls with toppings. Sour cream, grated Parmesan cheese, crumbled feta, or crispy crumbled bacon are great options for extra flavor!

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