09/07/2026
Cabbage Rolls with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
Ingredients
🥬 Cabbage Rolls
• 1 large head green cabbage
• 1 lb (450 g) lean ground beef or chicken
• ½ cup cooked rice or quinoa
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp paprika
• ½ tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
🍄 Creamy Mushroom Sauce
• 8 oz (225 g) mushrooms, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
• ½ cup heavy cream or plain Greek yogurt
• 1 tbsp butter or extra-virgin olive oil
• ½ tsp dried thyme
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
Prepare the Cabbage: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Carefully place the whole cabbage into the water and blanch for 5–8 minutes, gently removing the softened outer leaves as they become flexible. Continue until you have about 12–16 usable leaves. Trim away the thickest part of the center rib from each leaf. Blanching cabbage leaves before rolling is a standard technique for stuffed cabbage recipes.
Prepare the Filling: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef or chicken, cooked rice or quinoa, onion, garlic, egg, paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix until everything is evenly incorporated.
Fill the Leaves: Place about 2–3 tablespoons of filling near the bottom-center of each cabbage leaf. Fold the sides inward, then roll the leaf tightly from the bottom to create a neat package.
Arrange the Rolls: Place the cabbage rolls seam-side down in a large baking dish, arranging them snugly so they remain together while cooking.
Add Broth & Bake: Pour about ½ cup of the broth around the cabbage rolls. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 35–40 minutes, or until the filling reaches 165°F (74°C).
Sauté the Mushrooms: While the cabbage rolls cook, heat butter or olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced mushrooms and cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and their moisture has cooked away.
Add the Garlic & Herbs: Stir in the minced garlic and thyme. Cook for another 30–60 seconds, then season lightly with salt and black pepper.
Make the Creamy Sauce: Pour in the remaining ½ cup broth and simmer for 3–4 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream. If using Greek yogurt, remove the skillet from the heat and stir it in gradually to prevent curdling. Simmer gently until the sauce becomes creamy and slightly thickened. Mushroom sauces paired with cabbage rolls are traditionally reduced until rich and thick.
Combine & Finish: Remove the cabbage rolls from the oven and carefully spoon the creamy mushroom sauce over them. Sprinkle generously with fresh chopped parsley.
Rest & Serve: Let the cabbage rolls rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve warm with plenty of creamy mushroom sauce spooned over each roll.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving – Approximate)
• Calories: 410 kcal
• Protein: 31 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fat: 22 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: 620 mg
Approximate Cost
• Total Recipe: $13–$17
• Per Serving (4 servings): $3.25–$4.25
Nutrition and cost are approximate and can vary depending on the meat, mushrooms, cream or yogurt, and ingredient brands.