Pioneer Woman Cabbage Rolls

These Pioneer Woman Cabbage Rolls are delicious! They’re filled with lean ground beef, onion, garlic, dill, and just a hint of nutmeg. Slow-cooked in marinara sauce, these cabbage rolls are melt-in-your-mouth delicious!

A baked meal is so easy and we love how the oven does all the work! That’s why I enjoy doing so many casserole recipes.

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What is Pioneer Woman Cabbage Rolls?

The Pioneer Woman Cabbage Rolls might not sound like the most exciting dish on earth, but they’re totally comforting! This dish originates from Poland, and it’s basically a steamed cabbage leaf with a filling wrapped within it. A lot of different fillings are available, but my favorite is a combination of lean ground beef, brown rice, dried dill, onion, garlic, and just a hint of nutmeg.

Pioneer Woman cabbage rolls are smothered in marinara sauce and then baked until they are melt-in-your-mouth delicious. You should try them if you have never had them! During cold winter days, they are especially good because they will warm you up.

Ingredients That You’ll Need:

Cabbage: This recipe calls for green cabbage!
Ground beef: I typically like to use a pretty high-fat ratio when it comes to ground beef. When making something like stuffed cabbage rolls, which have a lot of additional ingredients, you can use something a little leaner. I used a 90/10 beef-to-fat ratio for this particular recipe.
Brown rice: Using brown rice makes this dish more filling and healthier, but if you only have white rice, you can use that too.
Garlic cloves: Fresh garlic cloves are not necessary if you have minced garlic. A half teaspoon of minced garlic equals about one clove.
Onion: To avoid large chunks of onion, I mince up my onion into very fine pieces.
Seasonings: Salt, pepper, Italian seasonings, parsley, dill, and nutmeg are my go-to seasonings!
Egg: An egg helps bind the ingredients together.
Marinara sauce: Use store-bought marinara sauce or make your own with this delicious homemade recipe.

What Type of Cabbage To Use?

You can use regular green cabbage for Pioneer Woman Cabbage Rolls. However, be sure to remove the thick ribs at the top of the cabbage because even after cooking they can be tough.

To soften the cabbage leaves and make rolling easier, I like to boil the whole head for a few minutes. At that point, the leaves will be pliable and easily come off the core of the cabbage.

Can I Make-Ahead and Freeze Pioneer Woman Cabbage Rolls?

It is possible to freeze Pioneer Woman Cabbage Rolls without the sauce in advance. Place the raw cabbage rolls on a large baking pan lined with parchment or wax paper, spacing them apart so they do not touch. Place in the freezer.

Once frozen, place the cabbage rolls in a freezer bag and remove as much air as you can. They will keep it for about a month in the freezer.

Recipe Variations:

Ground Meats: These Pioneer Woman Cabbage Rolls can be made with your favorite meat, but we used beef, ground pork, chicken, turkey, or Italian sausage.
Grains: You could also use brown rice, lentils, quinoa, bulgur, or couscous.
Vegetarian: If you prefer a vegetarian option, replace the beef with more grains and beans.
Veggies: In addition, add very finely chopped vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini to the filling.
Spicy: Spice these up with chili powder or Sriracha sauce.
Flavors: Additionally, experiment with different seasonings to add more flavor, such as taco seasoning or cajun seasoning. Also, add a bit of lemon juice for a refreshing flavor.

How To Make Pioneer Woman Cabbage Rolls?

Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil then season with salt.
Take a pairing knife and cut around the core. Pull out six leaves of cabbage, being careful not to break them.
It’s okay if they tear a little bit. Submerge the whole head of cabbage in boiling water for a few minutes to loosen the leaves before pulling them off. Boil the cabbage leaves until they are very soft and pliable, three at a time.
To a medium bowl, add the ground beef, onion, garlic, 1/2 cup marinara, Italian seasoning, egg, salt, dill, nutmeg, and brown rice.
Simply mix the ingredients with your hands or a fork until they are combined.
Spread half of the sauce in the bottom of a 9×12 baking dish. Cut out the hard veins from the cabbage with a paring knife.
Spread about 1/2 cup of the filling in the center of each cabbage leaf.
Fold in the edges and roll up jelly-roll style.
Transfer to the prepared pan seam-side down. Spread the remaining sauce over the top.
Cover with foil. Bake your Pioneer Woman Cabbage Rolls for about an hour or until cabbage is super soft and meat is cooked through.

What To Serve With Pioneer Woman Cabbage Rolls?

The Pioneer Woman Cabbage Rolls are a hearty meal already, so I like to serve them with a light salad or green vegetable like these easy green beans.

Ramen Noodle Salad
Mashed Potatoes

Recipe Tips

Soften it – Boiling an entire head of cabbage ensures that you get the most leaves that are intact and undamaged.
Get the right size – Pick a medium-sized to large head of cabbage. This makes stuffing them much easier.
Cut it out – By removing the rib from the base of each leaf, cabbage becomes more pliable and easier to roll.
Use the right tools – Mix the filling ingredients together with a potato masher first to ensure that all of the meat is thoroughly incorporated.
Check for doneness – Make sure the ground beef is fully cooked by using a meat thermometer.

FAQ Section

Can I make Pioneer Woman Cabbage Rolls in the slow cooker?

Yes! You can actually make these Pioneer Woman Cabbage Rolls in the slow cooker. Just assemble them as instructed, but cook them on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.

How to store Pioneer Woman Cabbage Rolls in the fridge?

After the leftovers have cooled completely, add your Pioneer Woman Cabbage Rolls to an airtight container and store them in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Alternatively, you can cover the baking pan tightly with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate it for up to 4 days.

How To freeze Pioneer Woman Cabbage Rolls?

In a freezer-safe, airtight container, place Pioneer Woman Cabbage Rolls for up to 3 months. However, do be aware that the texture will drastically change in defrosting.

How To thaw Pioneer Woman Cabbage Rolls?

When ready to serve, transfer the frozen Pioneer Woman Cabbage Rolls from the freezer to the refrigerator and thaw overnight. Then, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and bake for one hour if previously uncooked, or for 30 minutes if reheating leftovers.

How To reheat Pioneer Woman Cabbage Rolls?

Place Pioneer Woman Cabbage Rolls in a baking dish with a little extra sauce, cover with foil, and bake at 350°F for about 20 minutes until heated through. You can also microwave them.

How do you fold a cabbage roll?

Place the filling at the center and fold the leaf from one side. Tighten the wrap until the filling elongates. On opposite ends of the log, fold in from both sides to seal the ends. After sealing the ends, roll the log away from you.

What nationality is stuffed cabbage from?

Known as golabki or stuffed cabbage, this Polish dish is made by wrapping tender cabbage leaves around minced meat or juicy ground beef, vegetables, and rice. The traditional recipe also features a tomato sauce that coats the rolls. These are commonly baked in a casserole dish or in a slow cooker. Similar dishes are very popular in other Eastern European countries, including Romania and Moldova.

How do you get cabbage leaves off the head?

You can do this by first removing the thick core and submerging the whole head in boiling water. Cooking it slightly will soften the leaves and make them easier to pull out.

How to peel cabbage leaves so they don’t rip?

You can make the task of peeling the leaves of the cabbage head even easier by freezing it for two hours. Then, take it out and allow it to defrost. The leaves should come off more easily.

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