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Not Rolled "Rolled" Cabbage

(78 Votes)
Not Rolled Rolled Cabbage
SERVES
8
PREP
5 Min
COOK TIME
1 Hr

Not-Rolled "Rolled" Cabbage updates a traditional European recipe for stuffed cabbage. It takes all the work out of it, but none of the delicious taste. That's why this is one of our all time favorite cabbage recipes. The whole family is going to love this dish! So get ready for Not-Rolled "Rolled" Cabbage! 

What You'll Need

  • 1 1/4 pounds ground beef
  • 1/2 cup plain bread crumbs
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 head green cabbage, shredded (12 to 14 cups)
  • 1 (14-ounce) can jellied or whole-berry cranberry sauce
  • 5 gingersnap cookies, crumbled (about 1/4 cup crumbs)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 (26-ounce) jar spaghetti sauce

What to Do

  1. In a medium bowl, combine ground beef, bread crumbs, egg, salt, and pepper. Form mixture into 1-inch meatballs (about 1 tablespoon each).
     
  2. Place half the shredded cabbage in a soup pot then add meatballs. Spread cranberry sauce over meatballs, sprinkle with gingersnap crumbs and lemon juice then add remaining cabbage. Pour spaghetti sauce over mixture. Do not stir!
     
  3. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes. Stir gently, being careful not to break up meatballs. Simmer an additional 40 minutes, stirring halfway through.

Our Lemon Rice is a great way to sop up the delicous extra sauce. You won't want to give up a bit of it!

Test Kitchen Tips


Ratings & Comments

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I have not made this yet so I cannot rate it.

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WintryKiss

Dec 06, 2014

sounds weird but ive made this at least 10 times and love it .. gotta make it this week again ) love it !

Dhill234 3380308

Nov 12, 2014

Cookies and cranberry sauce make it..yummmmmm

roseyoposey 0226348

Nov 08, 2014

Made the way it said,was ok dont think ill make again. You are all WAYYY OFF COURSE !!! It says rate THIS recipe NOT YOURS !!!

QuietStorm27

Nov 08, 2014

I will try my own version of this like other posters said without the cookies, cranberry sauce and lemon juice. Plus I like to use tomato soup instead of spaghetti sauce. I will probably add sausage to the ground beef and make mashed potatoes on the side.

cgidget2 3836324

Jul 19, 2014

Remove cookies and cranberry sauce. Too sweet. Add onions and regular meatball ingredients. I like the small size for easier and faster cooking. The idea of making this easier is great. I do like cheese added and soup or cream sauce. Many changes.

leetoole 5798598

Jun 05, 2014

I made this but left out the jams/cookies and cranberries. I preferred it less sweet. The meat mixture I prepared was 1 lb hamburger and 1 lb of sausage. I cooked the meats with a half of chopped onion. I cooked this throughly then cooked about a quarter cup of wild rice and 1 cup of white rice together with beef bouillon until tender. I mixed it all together and "rebrowned" the mixture a bit to add additional flavor. I then rolled the mixture onto the cabbage leaves and used the remainder in grape leaves. I then cooked together with a large jar of spaghetti sauce until tender. About 15 minutes. Turned out really great. Used salt/pepper to taste and crushed garlic.

Ron1947

May 12, 2014

When I make my stuffed cabbages, easy way to pile the leaves is to put them in a microwave for about 20-30 minutes, depending on the size of the head of cabbage. Core the head, put in a large open bowl, and cover with a paper towel. No burning of your hands and no mess.

Char T

Apr 11, 2014

Could "renegade159" please tell me what she uses in her meat "mixture"? Thanks!

lornacorsi53 0119663

Oct 04, 2013

Instead of pouring a sauce over the cabbage I use stewed tomatoes, which I have chopped in the blender. Then I top it with PATS of butter, cover and bake till bubbly. Yum,!!!!

cocoabrwn55 2739016

Jul 30, 2013

I will try this but seems that I would leave out the gingersnaps. Thanx for the tips.

Bet 05

Jul 16, 2013

This is not rolled cabbage, first never use spaghetti sauce...or cranberry sauce, what is that all about? I think I would use my traditional recipe and just follow the directions for the shredded cabbage and make the meatballs and bake it that way.

jwells3564 2630154

Sep 21, 2017

If you don't like the recipe DO NOT MAKE IT but please do not rate it either. We do not need to know what YOU like or don't like. Just be quite.

renegade159 4550369

May 22, 2013

I have been making what I call "lazy pig's" for yrs!! The prepping became too much, and in the warm weather.....I use slo-cooker!! It's on this order, a little, but, I layer thinly sliced cabbage, meat mixture on top, another layer of the cabbage, and repeat once more. Use tomato soup, or sauce for the top.....add can of water lightly over the top, AND....you'll become addicted!! I fix this quite a bit....being diabetic, this is a freebie!!

gailpa33065 7623536

May 03, 2014

This is how my mom made unstuffed cabbage. She would also add sauerkraut and either a ham hock or ham bone. Delicious!

AShtabularachael

Feb 26, 2013

I have made this but not this way, I prepare my meat mixture the way I would with cabbage rolls then I cut up my cabbage in nice size pieces. Then I layer the cabbage on the bottom then place a layer of meat mixer in meat ball sizes balls..just keep repeatting till everything in the pan. Then I pour tomato juice in the pan untill everything is covered. I bake this in the oven untill cabbage is tender. Depending on what size pan you use. When I make it I use a large roasting pan.

bwtampa 7254200

Mar 19, 2013

Your recipe sounds great. I love "Stuffed Cabbage" but hate all the prep work in par -boiling the cabbage and rolling up the meat with individual cabbage leaves. Going to try this one this week! Thanks,

lauriee

Feb 09, 2013

Cranberry sauce?

tonyasteinkruger

Jan 24, 2013

Not my favorite. Way too sweet for my taste. I tried to doctor it up with the rice but... I did like the cabbage combination with the meatballs but could taste the cookies.

emkgranny 5946181

Jan 11, 2013

wondering if this could be cooked in oven?

kc2fcb 5771978

Oct 27, 2012

This is a great recipie, however, as so many of us are watching our weight....the nutritional values would be appreciated,on all recipies

dvandusen3 2239064

Oct 27, 2012

I cannot agree more. I am on a low carb-low fat diet, which means I can eat almost nothing. It is very important for me to have the nutritional values. I'm sure there are many others with the same need.

Red Headed Stranger

Mar 08, 2013

Here's a site for you. recipes.sparkpeople.com/cookbooks.asp?cookbook=58192

burroughsanne01 5843090

Feb 15, 2012

sounds delicious! Can't wait to try it!! anne in Newport Wa

jjbosslady 9601237

Feb 15, 2012

Well, I made it because I wanted to see what the weird ingredients tasted like, but it was the first disappointing recipe I've tried from Mr. Food. It was OK in terms of flavor, but it sure didn't taste like rolled cabbage. I think too much depends on the spaghetti sauce one selects, and there's really no blending of cabbage and meat. Wouln't make again.

emkgranny 5946181

Jan 11, 2013

I thought it was missing rice and extra spices

Member 0977761

Feb 13, 2012

I made the complete recipe even though it was just for the two of us so i would have left overs. I used 1# instead of 1 1/4# of lean ground beef and got 16 meatballs. I would use less than one big bottle of the spaghetti sauce. It was delicious and tastes great the second day. BUT, it certainly took more than 5 minutes to prepare! I would say that assembling and measuring the ingredients and making the meatballs and cutting the cabbage all took about 30 minutes. I'm wondering if it would freeze well but no matter what, I'll make it again. :-)

billshar 9720337

Feb 13, 2012

This is a wonderful recipe, very tasty and easy to make, well worth a try..

rkabraham45 7129648

Feb 06, 2012

Using a bag of coleslaw mix with the added carrot really added a nice crunch to the mix and really speeded up assembly time.

rkabraham45 7129648

Feb 06, 2012

I absolutely LOVE this recipe! However, instead of shredding a head of cabbage I used a bag of coleslaw mix, 2 eggs instead of just 1, and only half a jar of spaghetti sauce. I actually ended up making this twice in one week because everyone just loved it and wanted more. Definately a "keeper"

pucgato 6331388

Feb 04, 2012

My recipe is shredded cabbage, frozen meatballs, marinara sauce, oregano, brown sugar, worchestershire sauce. Layer like recipe and cook...Serve with garlic bread and a fresh salad. It's a quickie for me, when I'm pressed for time. Enjoy!

WintryKiss

Feb 04, 2012

i see a lot of people hated this i made it a few weeks ago and loved it .. i made rice on the side . i would have liked it incorporated in the dish

POLISHDIVA

Feb 04, 2012

This is not the recipe that my mother-in-law taught me. This recipe is terrible. Put a layer of cut cabbage in a casserole, next cooked hamburger with uncooked minute rice. continue layering. Pour 2 cans of tomato soup with a 1 can of water mixed. Cook at 350' for an hour. Season with salt, pepper and anything you wish. It should come out tasty and exactly like stuffed cabbage that has been rolled. If you do not like it - let me know Put

lanacompo 6621474

Oct 08, 2012

Funny how mothers-in-law pass on their son's favorite dish recipes. My dear mom-in-law made hers the old fashioned way with parboiled (save the water!) and de-spined cabbage leaves. Filled them with combo of ground chuck (1-1/2 lb) and ground pork (1/2 lb), 1/4th cup raw white or brown rice, one chopped med.onion, 1+ tsp salt, 1/4-1/2 tsp pepper and one egg. Use a lump of meat mix according to the leaf size. Roll up like a butcher rolls up a pkg of meat with sides tucked in. Pace rolls seam side down in a Dutch oven that has a layer of cabbage leaf scraps on the bottom. Cover rolls with a mixture of a 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes and a 6 oz tomato paste can, 1 tsp garlic powder and salt and pepper to taste. If needed, use the saved cabbage water to cover the cabbage rolls. You can either put the covered Dutch oven in the oven for 2-3 hours at 325-350 until rice is cooked, or simmer them slowly on top of the stove for about the same time. Watch out for scorching! (Brown rice will take longer). Serve with a crusty bread and a vegetable. This was traditionally the "waiting for the kids to come home from college dish". They reheat very well.

lauriee

Feb 09, 2013

This sounds like the recipe my mom would make when she didn't have the time to roll them all.

Kyhusker

Feb 04, 2012

My wife and I thought these things were the nastiest things we have ever ate. Too sweet and didn't taste anything like cabbage rolls. Won't do them again.

Fishsmoker

Feb 04, 2012

Do a fifty/fifty mix of italian sausage and hamburger, or better yet fresh kielbasa if you can find it to change up this recipe.

jmoncure 3214287

Feb 03, 2012

This recipe didn't go over too good with my family. Tomato sauce was over whelming..

vaills

Jan 28, 2012

I made this just as the recipe stated last weekend.It is an unusual recipe but entire family really enjoyed it.There is nothing there to boil but it does actually start boiling if you listen to your pot.Very neat and unusual flavors!I will prepare again.

dicarlson76 0492902

Jan 25, 2012

I put a little rice in instead of cookies (yuck) also it takes longer than 60 minutes, after hr & 1/2 cabbage still wasnt done, i had to transfer it into a casserole dish, finish in microwave.

dicarlson76 0492902

Jan 25, 2012

This the grossest dish ive ever ate, too sweet with cranberry sauce.. Dont waste your time. i give it a -1

yomomma1933

Jan 25, 2012

Haven't tried it yet...the cranberry sauce in there doesn't really appeal to me, but the idea of the meatballs, cabbage and spag. sauce does, do you have a comparable recipe leaving out the sweet stuff??

eweisberg 2099624

Jan 23, 2012

Trying tonight exactly as the recipe tells you to do. Little gun shy - "Bring to boil." What is there to boil, and how can you tell looking at a large soup pot? I think you should first try the recipe, then change to fit your tastes. Also, why do you post 2-3 copies of the same review?

WintryKiss

Feb 04, 2012

i was wondering too about the "come to a boil" but it does .. i loved it and i had 2 containers leftover that i froze - ate one since and have 1 more and will definitely make it again - except im adding MORE cookies crumbs i didnt even taste them

carjams 2143938

Jan 22, 2012

This is not authenic cabbage rolls. If they are going to be stuffed cabbage, make it the Hungarian way and let everyone enjoy. I have made them for years, I'm 75 and come from Hungarian grandparents. There is only one way.!!!!!!!

alcutshall 7533743

Jan 23, 2012

I would love to have your recipe for the cabbage rolls.I am also 75 and when I was little some of our neighbors were Hungarian,& I would eat the cabbage rolls they would make.They were delicious Thanks for the memory.

atteabarnes 5586040

Jan 21, 2012

please allow us to print all these good comments. Abarnes

atteabarnes 5586040

Jan 21, 2012

I need to be able to print the comments along with the recipe, please.

renegade159 4550369

Jan 20, 2012

This is wonderful, and only one of the ways that I do what I call "lazy cabbage rolls"! YES....they can be made IN THE SLOW-COOKER....I usually fix it that way! U can also, shred the babbage, lay the meat over the cabbage, and repeat, like a lazy lasagna, a couple of layers, AND don't forget the onion!!

pollittr

Jan 20, 2012

Would it be possible to modify this recipe to cook it in a slow cooker (Crock Pot)?

renegade159 4550369

Jan 20, 2012

ABSOLUTELY....my reply will be posted soon!

RichinRaleigh

Jan 20, 2012

As with Past sauces, there are many different sauces for stuffed cabbage. Using gingersnaps create the wonderful flavor in the sauce recipe. SWEET-AND-SOUR GINGERSNAP SAUCE 1 13-oz. can tomato sauce 1 c. white raisins c. fresh lemon juice 6-8 ginger snaps 1 c. water or consomm

Bkkm

Jan 20, 2012

http://www.bigoven.com/recipe/163455/Hungarian-Cabbage-Rolls

charbaby 3062206

Jan 20, 2012

In younger days, cabbage rolls were "family secrets" esp by the Hungarians. Someone asked about crockpot cooking. The cooking of these "baseball size" rolled cabbages were placed in the "deep well" of the electric range, with tomato juice as the liquid and cooked for HOURS. So filling and so large only 1 serving placed on each plate. I might add...never ever seen a rolled cabbage come undone...always uniformed, round as a baseball & 1 or 2 toothpicks holding cabbage in place. All I know about the recipe is what I could see ( I was a youngster) hamburger, rice , cabbage and tomato juice,don't know the seasoning or details...but I do know to this day...I have not been able to duplicate that recipe nor roll a tight baseball size helping. If I knew how to spell the Hungarian word for cabbage roll.....anyone want to give it a try ?? A taste I'll never forget !

beamcgervey 2780996

Jan 19, 2012

Well, it can't be to bad if it was rated in the favorites list of 2010. I'm going to try it just as written. Sounds good to me.

LuvsFood

Jan 19, 2012

I don't think these ingredients would taste like real stuffed cabbage. I agree with comwolo55's recipe, the only thing different I do is I use Campbells tomato soup instead of the V8 juice. Also I layer mine in a large pot and cover with the soup & water & bring it to a boil & then simmer it (covered ) on top of the stove for 2-3 hrs. I used to bake it but I found it tends to dry out the tops of the cabbage. Now I cook it on top of the stove. Always good & very delicious. I make this all the time for my family & they love it. I'm not even interested in trying rolled cabbage using this recipe. Doesn't even sound appealing to me. Not like true stuffed cabbage, which is soooo good.

Scooter6

Jan 20, 2012

I have an Electric range and simmer doesn't exhist according to my standards. I bake them for about 1 hr covered 350%. perfect!! No Cranberrys or Cookies and I use tomato soup. My Daughter-in-Law is Polish, I'm Italian and she can't get enough of these. p.s. Don't cook the meat ahead of time!

comwolo55 6995663

Jan 19, 2012

I say stick to the original...get a head of cabbage..cut the core out..place in water..boil till the leaves are tender..taking the tender ones off periodically. Take 1-2 lba of raw hamburger..cut up some onions(usually I use 2-3 depending on size) add onions to hamburger..cook 1 1/2 cups of rice (you want to end up with 3 cups of cooked) let cool about 10 mins..mix cooked rice into hamburger....take one "cabbage leaf" hold in your palm..take about one Tablespoon of meat and place it in the center of the cabbage..then roll up tucking in the sides as you go. continue doing this with the large leaves of the cabbage...take the very center leaves and line the bottom of a turkey pan(this makes a lot of cabbage rolls)..place your stuffed cabbage in the pan..forming layers...take 3 12 oz cans of V8 juice and pour over all. Cover and place in 350 degree oven for 2-3 hours....Enjoy...that is what stuffed cabbage (or rolled cabbage is) nothing more..nothing less..leave tradition alone...You can not improve on perfection

emkgranny 5946181

Jan 11, 2013

I would freeze the whole head of cabbage(s) when on sale ... thaw for 24-36 hrs in laundry tub, separate leaves, removed core stem then stuff and roll. No boiling of cabbage!

carjams 2143938

Jan 19, 2012

The recipe for cabbage rolls has been changed tooooo much. This recipe comes from my native Hungary and it can never taste the same with these ingredients.

GOURDGRANNIE

Jan 19, 2012

CARJAMS - PLEASE SHARE YOUR ORIGINAL RECIPE

dhwolfe1 2430360

Jan 19, 2012

Would like to have YOUR recipe!! Have been looking for it .Grew up with a Hungarian neighbor who had a FABULOUS way of preparing this. I was too young to realise it but sure do miss it.

YellowButterfly

Jan 19, 2012

In my family - we use campbell's tomatoe soup. I would suggest using that instead of the cranberries - if desired.

preik 1598577

Jan 19, 2012

I like to use V-8 juice and my recipe calls to brown the hamburger,add rice ,then add this to chopped cabbage in a baking pan and top with the V-8 juice and bake until done ,very good

maryft

Jan 19, 2012

Has anyone else tried this in the crock pot? If so, did you change anything. Sounds good and would be nice to come home from work to this all fixed in the crock pot. :)

haynie9999

Jan 19, 2012

try it and let us know

akollars 3743868

Jan 19, 2012

I am a big fan of stuffed cabbage, but gingersnaps & cranberry sauce????????????? Nah! I'll pass! I don't like cranberry sauce anyway!

jjbosslady 9601237

Jan 19, 2012

I love stuffed cabbage....but this is such a weird combination of ingredients! I'll have to try it just to see what it tastes like.

drozdibob 7537844

Jan 19, 2012

That's my first thought, too. Great for slow cooker! We are a Serbian and Croatian family and love stuffed cabbage, but this is a real time saver. Another hint: instead of all the shredding, put the head of cabbage in a bag and into the freezer for a day or so. Take out of the freezer and as it thaws, the leaves fall off the head, so no shredding or parboiling involved. The leaves are soft and easy to layer with the meatballs and then proceed. Mya need to thin the sauce a bit for the slow cooker to get it started.

bnbsmith25 7216467

Jan 19, 2012

i also wld. like to see if any one has made this in the slow cooker

jen 2012

Jan 19, 2012

What is the purpose of the ginger snaps - to help thicken?

mwylie1 0520869

Jan 19, 2012

This recipe sounds very good and I would like to try it, however I am wondering if it could be done in the slow cooker. Has anyone tried doing it this way?

audreycoetzer0 3817841

Jan 19, 2012

Making this tonight!!

SLSnewman 3040399

Jan 19, 2012

just saw him make this. It looks really good.I will make it tomorrow night...hope yours turns out great. I love ginger snaps!

rosedot1 3698337

Jan 06, 2012

This is definitely not authentic stuffed cabbage, even by American standards.

RSVP heaven

Mar 20, 2011

Don't care for and did not have gingersnaps so I tried this using 1 min- not instant- OATMEAL. Was good. Will do it again, easy.

skjack

Mar 04, 2011

what can I use instead of the ginger snaps? we don't like them. thanks,

skjack

Mar 04, 2011

what can I use instead of the ginger snaps? we don't like them. thanks,

gloria 5233482

Oct 23, 2010

We love the dish and have used it for many years. Fast, easy and a crowd pleaser.

lap39 3787048

Nov 08, 2014

For all those people who posted their own recipes why don't you get your own web site? I have not made this yet so I cannot rate it. But I was looking for helpful comments. Not makeovers.

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