Cozy Baked Cabbage Roll Meatballs

Cabbage roll meatballs are a delicious and unique twist on the traditional cabbage roll. Tender meatballs simmer in a slightly sweet and chunky tomato sauce teaming with sautéed onions and cabbage. They are versatile and can be served with a side of mashed potatoes or over rice for a comforting and satisfying meal.

why you'll love this recipe

There's just something about cozy comfort food recipes. Bring on the sweater weather! A big pot of Cabbage Roll Meatballs has that all day, slow cooked taste, but in much less time and work than traditional cabbage rolls. And they are more fun to eat because who doesn't love a delicious meatball.

One of my personal chef clients requested cabbage rolls a few times. From start to finish the in depth recipe took over 3 hours to prepare. Whoa! I don't have to tell you that's a long time.

I tinkered with the traditional recipe and made a meatball version that rivels the original. And it's ready in about 60 minutes. Move over labor intense cabbage rolls. There's a new recipe with all the same deliciousness.

Tender baked meatballs are blanketed in a tangy tomato sauce with slightly sweet sauteed cabbage and onions. This streamlined recipe is the one my client now requests instead of the original version.

ingredients

• olive oil
• green cabbage
• Vidalia onion
• canned fire roasted tomatoes
• tomato sauce
• raisins - You can substitute dried cranberries in the recipe.
• lemon
• honey
• kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
• ground beef
• ground turkey
• garlic
• paprika and ground cloves
• large eggs
• seasoned bread crumbs
• parsley

how to make cabbage and meatballs

• Sauté shredded cabbage and onions in olive oil. The cabbage should be wilted and the onions translucent. Add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, raisins, lemon juice, honey, and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Then reduce heat and cover with a lid. Simmer for 20 minutes.
• While the sauce simmers, make the meatballs. Combine tomato sauce, ground beef, ground turkey, garlic, paprika, ground cloves, eggs, bread crumbs, parsley, salt, and pepper.
• Form the meat mixture into small meatballs. Place on the prepared baking sheet and bake in the oven.
• Remove the meatballs from the oven and add to the cabbage tomato sauce. Stir to combine and season to taste with salt and pepper.

expert tips

• Use a combination of beef and turkey to lighten up the meatballs. You can also use a "meatloaf mix" which is a combination of beef, pork and veal for the meatballs.
• Instead of standing over the stove cooking the meatballs, use an easy oven baking method. Place all the meatballs on a large baking sheet and bake in the oven. 
• While the meatballs bake, make a lightly sweetened and chunky tomato sauce teaming with sautéed onions and cabbage simmers on the stove top.

can you freeze cabbage roll meatballs?

This comfort food dish is an ideal freezer meal. After preparing the entrée, cool it completely. Package it in an airtight container and freezer for up to 3 months. Just thaw and heat in a large pot over medium low heat for a delicious dinner on a busy night.

more meatball recipes to try

• Meatball Stroganoff
• Teriyaki Meatballs
• Baked Italian Meatball Marinara
• Sicilian Meatballs
• Thai Meatball Curry

just one more thing

If you make this delicious cabbage roll meatball recipe, I’d love hearing from you all. Be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating ~ I do my best to reply to all your comments. And snap a photo to post to Instagram. I’ll add the photos to my Insta stories as I love seeing all your creations.

Also check out my Facebook and Pinterest pages for lots of fabulous foodie stories, videos, cooking tips, and recipes.

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