Sweet ‘n’ Tender Cabbage Rolls

Name: Sweet 'n' Tender Cabbage Rolls
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 7 h
Total time: 7 h 40 min
Yield: 7 servings.
Ingredients: 1 large head cabbage; 2 large eggs, lightly beaten; 1/2 cup 2% milk; 2 cups cooked long grain rice; 2 jars (4-1/2 ounces each) sliced mushrooms, well drained; 1 small onion, chopped; 2 teaspoons salt; 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1 teaspoon dried basil; 1/2 teaspoon pepper; 2 pounds lean ground beef (90% lean); SAUCE:; 2 cans (8 ounces each) tomato sauce; 1/2 cup packed brown sugar; 2 tablespoons lemon juice; 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

I've used this recipe for more than 30 years, and the extra time it takes to assemble the rolls is well worth the effort. I always make two batches because they go so fast. You can assemble the night before and cook the next day.—Sonja Benz, Carmel, Indiana

Ingredients

1 large head cabbage
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup 2% milk
2 cups cooked long grain rice
2 jars (4-1/2 ounces each) sliced mushrooms, well drained
1 small onion, chopped
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 pounds lean ground beef (90% lean)
SAUCE:
2 cans (8 ounces each) tomato sauce
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

Directions

Cook cabbage in boiling water just until leaves fall off head. Set aside 14 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 the eggs, milk, rice, mushrooms, onion and seasonings. Crumble beef over mixture and mix well. Place about 1/2 cup on each cabbage leaf; overlap cut ends and fold in sides, beginning from the cut end. Roll up completely to enclose filling.
Place seven rolls, seam side down, in a 5-qt. slow cooker. Combine sauce ingredients; pour half over cabbage rolls. Top with remaining rolls and sauce. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or until a thermometer reads 160°.

Nutrition Facts

2 each: 389 calories, 12g fat (5g saturated fat), 141mg cholesterol, 1243mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (20g sugars, 3g fiber), 31g protein.

Originally published as Crock Pot Swedish Cabbage Rolls in Taste of Home February/March 2008

Reviews

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Average Rating:

shannondobos

Jun 19, 2015

I've made these many, many times since I first came across this recipe. I always leave out the mushrooms, just as a preference. They are perfectly tender and sweet. My mother in law doesn't eat red meat, and I've substituted ground turkey with great success here as well! Highly recommend this!
ivorykeys

Aug 6, 2014

I have to say as I was making them I thought this is way too much prep for crockpot cooking. Well.........not after tasting them! These are the best!!! So worth it!
takeflight

Mar 24, 2014

I love this recipe! My mom always made stuffed cabbage, but I must say this recipe is even better than hers. They are so moist and tasty. I do not find them too sweet at all. Everyone who tries them raves about them. I did omit the mushrooms , basil and oregano however!
isathre

Jan 12, 2014

I just made the cabbage rolls, did not change the ingredients and they were excellent. I did put them in the oven, covered, at 300 degrees for 2 1/2 hours. I cut the recipe in half which made 8 servings, they fit in a 9 x 13 inch glass pan. I will be making them again. Thank you for a recipe with the seasonings. I have made cabbage rolls before, but it did not compare to this recipe. I will be freezing them, after they thaw, will put them in a pan, make more sauce, and enjoy. Thanks so much for this recipe.
ahd605

Nov 17, 2013

was very sweet i added vinager to cut the sweetness. next time i will put half the brown sugar and maybe add alittle soy and a little worcetershire sause to cut the sweetness.
Jellybean

May 10, 2013

These are good but I had trouble with the cabbage leaves. Mine tore as I tried to separate them from the head. I ended up piecing them together to cover the filling. They weren't pretty but tasted good. The sauce became too thin and needed more.
lmcmaster

Dec 12, 2012

very sweet and delicious
snabuurs

Mar 7, 2012

This was a big hit with my family, which normally wouldn't eat cabbage, this will definalty become a winter staple.
robynswreaths

Nov 13, 2011

We loved this, left out the sugar..added minced garlic, was delish!
NCFlash

Jan 7, 2011

This recipe is excellent. Prep time is well worth it. Leftovers are very good as well.