Hearty Turkey-Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
Enjoy a nutritious twist on a classic comfort food with these Hearty Turkey-Stuffed Cabbage Rolls! Stuffed with lean ground turkey, sautéed mushrooms, and aromatic herbs, these cabbage rolls are baked to perfection in a savory tomato sauce, making them both wholesome and delicious. This recipe is perfect for meal prep, a family dinner, or to impress guests with a hearty yet healthy dish.
N/A
Servings
275
Calories
19
Ingredients
Ingredients
lean ground turkey
1.5 lbs (raw)
medium onions
2 (chopped)
garlic cloves
6 (minced)
mushrooms
8 ounces (chopped)
olive oil
1 tablespoon (for sautéing)
fresh flat leaf parsley
1/4 cup (chopped)
thyme
1 teaspoon (fresh)
salt
3/4 teaspoon (to taste)
pepper
1/4 teaspoon (to taste)
breadcrumbs
1 cup (plain)
tomato sauce
16 ounces (canned)
diced tomatoes
16 ounces (canned)
lemon juice
2 tablespoons (fresh)
brown sugar
1/4 cup (for sweetness)
dried thyme
1 teaspoon (for seasoning)
dried basil
1 teaspoon (for seasoning)
onion powder
1/2 teaspoon (for seasoning)
garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon (for seasoning)
salt and pepper
to taste (for seasoning)
Instructions
1
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Carefully cut the stem from the head of the cabbage, creating a deep enough cut to separate the outer leaves from the core.
2
Using tongs, dip the cabbage head into the boiling water. This process will cause three or four leaves to loosen. Repeat the dipping process until you have removed approximately 18 leaves, trimming the stem as needed to separate them.
3
Boil the cabbage leaves for about 2 minutes until they soften. Once cooked, remove the leaves and place them on a clean towel to cool.
4
In a large sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and mushrooms, and sauté until most of the liquid has evaporated, about 10 minutes. Then, stir in the minced garlic and ground turkey, cooking until the turkey is brown and cooked through.
5
Remove the mixture from heat and add the breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, and chopped parsley. Mix thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
6
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spray a 9x13 inch casserole dish with cooking spray. To assemble the cabbage rolls, place about 1/4 cup of the turkey mixture at the stem end of each cabbage leaf. Fold the stem of the leaf up, then tuck in the sides and roll tightly. Place each rolled cabbage seam-side down in the prepared casserole dish.
7
In a separate bowl, combine the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, lemon juice, brown sugar, dried thyme, dried basil, onion powder, garlic powder, and additional salt and pepper. Mix well, then pour this sauce evenly over the cabbage rolls in the casserole dish. Cover the dish with foil.
8
Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 50 minutes. Once baked, remove from the oven and let rest for a few minutes before serving.
9
Serve the stuffed cabbage rolls warm, ideally with a side of mashed potatoes for a complete meal.
Nutrition Information
6g
Fat
35g
Carbs
20g
Protein
4g
Fiber
3g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Hearty Turkey-Stuffed Cabbage Rolls?
They are a nutritious twist on a classic comfort food featuring lean ground turkey, sautéed mushrooms, and herbs baked in a savory tomato sauce.
What is the main protein used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1.5 lbs of lean ground turkey.
How do I prepare the cabbage leaves for rolling?
Cut the stem from the cabbage head, dip the head in boiling water to loosen leaves, then boil the individual leaves for about 2 minutes until soft.
How many cabbage leaves are needed?
The recipe recommends removing and preparing approximately 18 leaves.
What vegetables are sautéed for the turkey mixture?
Chopped onions and mushrooms are sautéed in olive oil before adding the turkey and garlic.
How long should I sauté the onions and mushrooms?
Sauté them for about 10 minutes or until most of the liquid has evaporated.
What binds the turkey stuffing together?
One cup of plain breadcrumbs is added to the mixture to help bind the ingredients.
What herbs are used in the turkey filling?
The filling uses fresh flat leaf parsley and fresh thyme.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
What size dish is required for baking?
A 9x13 inch casserole dish sprayed with cooking spray is recommended.
How much turkey mixture goes into each cabbage roll?
Place about 1/4 cup of the turkey mixture at the stem end of each leaf.
What is the proper technique for rolling the cabbage?
Fold the stem of the leaf up, tuck in the sides, and roll tightly.
How should the rolls be placed in the casserole dish?
Place each rolled cabbage seam-side down to prevent them from opening during baking.
What ingredients make up the sauce?
The sauce includes tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, lemon juice, brown sugar, dried thyme, dried basil, onion powder, and garlic powder.
Why is lemon juice and brown sugar added to the sauce?
They provide a balance of brightness and sweetness to the savory tomato base.
How long do the cabbage rolls need to bake?
Bake the covered dish for approximately 50 minutes.
Should the dish be covered while in the oven?
Yes, cover the casserole dish with foil before baking.
What is a recommended side dish for this meal?
These cabbage rolls are ideally served with a side of mashed potatoes.
How many calories are in one serving?
There are approximately 275 calories per serving.
What is the protein content per serving?
Each serving contains 20g of protein.
How much fat is in this dish?
This recipe contains 6g of fat per serving.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Yes, it is noted as being perfect for meal prep, family dinners, or guests.
What is the fiber content of the cabbage rolls?
Each serving provides 4g of fiber.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 35g of carbohydrates per serving.
Does the recipe use garlic?
Yes, it uses 6 minced garlic cloves in the filling and garlic powder in the sauce.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 19 total ingredients listed for this dish.
How much sugar is in one serving?
There are 3g of sugar per serving.
What type of tomatoes are used in the sauce?
The recipe uses both canned tomato sauce and canned diced tomatoes.
How long should the dish rest after baking?
Let the dish rest for a few minutes after removing it from the oven before serving.
What should I do if the cabbage leaves won't separate?
Continue the process of dipping the head into boiling water and trimming the stem as needed to loosen more leaves.