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🥬 Stuffed Cabbage Rolls on a Vegetable Bed with Melted Cheese – A Family Classic You’ll Crave Every Week!
Posted on August 23, 2025 by Admin
Looking for a comforting, nutritious, and crowd-pleasing meal that brings together rich flavors and vibrant vegetables? Look no further! These stuffed cabbage rolls baked on a colorful vegetable bed and topped with melted cheese are the perfect weeknight dinner or Sunday family feast.
This recipe is a blend of traditional Eastern European cooking with a modern, healthy twist. Packed with protein, veggies, and flavor, it’s a balanced, one-pan meal that’s ideal for feeding a hungry family — or for meal prep throughout the week.
🛒 Ingredients (Serves Approx. 4)
🧄 For the Cabbage Rolls:
- 1 large white cabbage (about 1.5 kg)
- 500 g ground meat (beef, pork, or a mix)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tbsp wheat flour
- 1 large onion, finely diced
- 1 large carrot, finely diced
- 2–3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp sweet paprika powder
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 tbsp butter (for greasing the baking dish)
🥔 For the Vegetable Bed:
- 2–3 medium potatoes (approx. 400 g), sliced
- 1 large tomato, sliced
- 1 bell pepper (any color), cut into strips
- 2–3 mushrooms, sliced
- 1 red onion, sliced
- 60 g canned corn, drained
- 100 g grated Gouda or mozzarella
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste
🌿 For Garnish:
- Fresh dill and parsley, chopped
- Mixed leaf salad of your choice
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
🔹 Step 1: Prep the Cabbage Leaves
Start by blanching the cabbage. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cut out the core of the cabbage and gently place it in the pot. Let it boil for 5–7 minutes until the outer leaves start to loosen. Remove the cabbage and carefully peel away the leaves. You’ll need about 12–14 large leaves. Trim any thick stems to make the leaves easier to roll.
Pro tip: You can freeze the cabbage overnight and then thaw it the next day. This softens the leaves without boiling!
🔹 Step 2: Make the Filling
In a mixing bowl, combine:
- Ground meat
- Eggs
- Flour
- Onion, carrot, garlic
- Chopped parsley
- Salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika
Mix until everything is well incorporated. The texture should be firm but moist — not too wet.
Want extra flavor? Add a splash of Worcestershire sauce or a spoon of tomato paste to the mix.
🔹 Step 3: Assemble the Rolls
Lay a cabbage leaf flat, place about 2–3 tablespoons of filling at the base, then roll it up like a burrito — folding in the sides as you go. Continue until all the meat filling is used.
🔹 Step 4: Prepare the Vegetable Bed
Grease a large baking dish with butter. Then layer in the sliced potatoes first (they form the base), followed by tomato slices, bell pepper strips, mushrooms, red onion, and corn. Drizzle with vegetable and olive oil, and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
You can mix and match the veggies based on what’s in season — zucchini, eggplant, or even spinach work well!
🔹 Step 5: Bake It All Together
Arrange your cabbage rolls snugly on top of the vegetable bed. Cover the dish with foil to retain moisture. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (356°F) for 50–60 minutes.
🔹 Step 6: Add the Cheese
Remove the foil, sprinkle grated cheese generously over the cabbage rolls and veggies, and return to the oven for 10–15 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
🔹 Step 7: Garnish & Serve
Before serving, garnish with fresh dill and parsley. Serve with a side of mixed green salad and a slice of crusty bread for a complete, satisfying meal.
💡 Helpful Tips & Variations
✅ Make it Vegetarian:
Swap the meat for a plant-based mince, cooked lentils, or a mix of mushrooms and rice.
✅ Add Grains:
For a more traditional twist, mix cooked rice or quinoa into the filling. This also stretches the meat and makes it even more filling.
✅ Spice It Up:
If you like heat, add some crushed chili flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the filling.
🥗 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- One-dish wonder – Everything bakes in one dish for easy cleanup.
- Family-approved – Even picky eaters love the cheesy, savory flavors.
- Meal prep friendly – Makes great leftovers and reheats beautifully.
- Nutrient-rich – Packed with fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals.
🔁 Storage & Reheating
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze baked cabbage rolls (without cheese) for up to 2 months.
- Reheat: Reheat in the oven at 160°C (320°F) until warmed through. Add fresh cheese before reheating if frozen.
📝 Final Thoughts
Stuffed cabbage rolls might sound old-fashioned, but this modern version baked over a vibrant vegetable medley and finished with melty cheese is anything but boring. It’s comfort food that doesn’t sacrifice nutrition — and it’s sure to become a regular on your meal rotation.
Whether you’re making it for a special family dinner or batch cooking for the week ahead, this recipe delivers on taste, texture, and tradition.
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- stuffed cabbage rolls recipe
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- one-pan cabbage dinner
- healthy cabbage roll recipe
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