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You ever have one of those days where you just want something warm, hearty, and comforting—but not too complicated? That was me last week. It was chilly outside, leaves doing their crunchy thing on the driveway, and I had a head of cabbage in the freezer (don’t ask why—it’s just a thing I do now). That’s when it hit me: cabbage rolls.

Now listen, I’m not trying to sell you on some glamorous, over-the-top recipe here. These are humble, saucy, meaty little bundles that taste like something your grandma might have made… if she was in a hurry but still cared deeply about dinner.

Let’s make ‘em together, shall we?

So, Why These? Why Now?

Freezer trick = no boiling cabbage. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll never go back to the steam-and-curse method.
Two meats = flavor town. Turkey + Italian sausage = the dream team.
That sauce? It’s tomato-y with a little whisper of cinnamon. Just enough to make you say, “Wait…what is that?” in the best way.
Leftovers = tomorrow’s comfort food. These reheat like a dream.
It’s like a warm hug in casserole form. I don’t say that lightly.

Ingredients, with a Few Thoughts Along the Way

Here’s what you’ll need. And don’t stress—there’s wiggle room.

1 head green cabbage – Pop the whole thing in the freezer the night before. Yes, the whole thing. This trick makes the leaves so easy to peel. Plus, it feels a little like kitchen magic.
1 cup cooked white rice – Leftover rice from takeout? Perfect. No need to cook fresh unless you really want to.
1 lb ground turkey + 1 lb Italian sausage – I like the combo of lean and flavorful. If you’re more of a beef household, that works too.
1 egg + ½ cup Italian breadcrumbs – The glue that keeps the meat mix together. Don’t skip ‘em unless you like crumbles in your rolls (no judgment).
1 cup red onion, diced + 4 garlic cloves, minced – Don’t go shy here. These bring the whole dish to life.
14 oz crushed tomatoes + 8 oz tomato sauce – That rich, saucy goodness.
1 tsp sugar, ½ tsp cumin, ½ tsp cinnamon – I know, I know—cinnamon? But just a smidge. It adds this mellow warmth that feels very old-world and cozy.
1 cup chicken stock – To thin out the sauce a bit and help everything simmer together.
Kosher salt, cracked black pepper, fresh parsley – Season with love.

Let’s Make Some Magic

Step 1: The Cabbage (A Little Weird, A Lot Worth It)

Pull that cabbage out of the freezer and let it thaw for a couple of hours. The outer leaves will start to soften first, and you can start peeling them off gently. I usually get about 10–12 nice ones per head. If it’s still too frozen in the middle, just wait a bit. Or microwave it for a minute if you’re impatient like me.

Step 2: That Sauce, Though

Grab a skillet, heat up some olive oil, and toss in the red onion and garlic. Sauté until soft and smelling like dinner should—about 6 to 8 minutes. Then add your tomatoes, sugar, cumin, cinnamon, and chicken stock. Let it bubble gently. Give it a taste. Add a little more salt or pepper if it needs it. Let it sit and mingle while you prep the filling.

Little side note: This sauce is also amazing over pasta if you’ve got leftovers. Just saying.

Step 3: The Meaty Middle

In a big ol’ bowl, mix together the turkey, sausage, cooked rice, egg, breadcrumbs, and some salt and pepper. I use my hands for this part—yes, it’s messy, but oddly satisfying. Like playing with your food and being productive.

Step 4: Roll With It

Lay a cabbage leaf flat, scoop some of the meat mixture into the wide part (I use an ice cream scoop, no shame), fold the sides in, and roll it up like a little burrito. Tuck it in a greased 9×13″ pan, seam-side down. Repeat until your dish is full and your heart is happy.

Pour half the sauce underneath the rolls, the rest on top. Cover with foil. You’re almost there.

Step 5: Bake & Smell That

Pop the dish in a 350°F oven and bake for 45–50 minutes. The rolls should be tender, the meat cooked through, and your house will smell like you’ve been cooking all day. (You kinda have. But it’s worth it.)

Tiny Twists You Can Try

Add cheese. Some shredded mozzarella or crumbled feta in the filling? Yes, please.
Go spicy. A pinch of chili flakes in the sauce or hot sausage in the filling will wake it up.
Sweet surprise. My aunt adds raisins to hers. I wasn’t convinced… until I was.
Different grains. Try quinoa or farro instead of rice if you’re feeling fancy.

Storing & Reheating Like a Pro

Got leftovers? Lucky you.

Fridge: Keep ’em in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezer: Wrap individually in foil and freeze in a big ol’ zip-top bag. Label it, or you’ll forget what it is (ask me how I know).
To reheat: Microwave a couple rolls with a spoonful of sauce for 90 seconds, or warm in the oven at 350°F for 15 minutes, covered.

They’re even better the next day, if you ask me.

Last Little Note from Me to You

I hope this recipe brings a little warmth to your table—especially on those gray days when you just want something solid and simple and made with care. These cabbage rolls are humble, but they’ve got heart. Just like us, right?

If you make ‘em, come back and let me know how it went. Tell me if your kids devoured them or if you added something wild. I’d love to hear all about it.

Until next time—stay cozy, cook with love, and don’t forget to save the last roll for yourself.