These stuffed cabbage rolls are stick to your ribs comfort food, done even faster in your air fryer! They’re filled with sausage, beef, and rice, but you can use your favorites.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil on your stovetop. Blanch the cabbage leaves for about 3-4 minutes, until they are pliable, and set aside to cool
10 Large cabbage leaves
In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, sausage, rice, onion, garlic, egg, and seasonings together, and mix until well combined and distributed
½ Pound ground beef, ½ Pound Italian sausage, ½ Cup cooked white rice, ¼ Cup diced onion, 2 Tsp minced garlic, 1 Tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 Tsp dried parsley, 1 Tsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 Large egg
Grab a blanched cabbage leaf, and add 2-3 Tbsp filling to the center of the bottom half (depending on how big the leaf is)
Fold the bottom up over the filling, then fold in the sides, and then roll the cabbage leaf until it forms a cylinder (like rolling an egg roll). Repeat until all cabbage rolls are formed
Grease your oven-safe pan that fits in your air fryer, and then add the prepared cabbage rolls in, seam-side facing down
Mix the sauce ingredients in a small bowl, and then pour the sauce over top of the cabbage rolls
10.75 Ounce can tomato soup, 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 Tbsp brown sugar, ½ Tsp black pepper
Place the pan into your air fryer’s basket or rack, and then cook on the air fry setting at 350°F for 25-30 minutes, until the filling is cooked through (the USDA recommends at least 160°F for sausage)
Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or sour cream (optional), and serve with your favorite sides
Notes
The number of cabbage leaves you need really depends on their size
You can do all ground beef or all sausage for the filling if preferred. Other good meat options include: ground turkey, chicken, or pork, or chorizo for a spicy twist
All seasonings are adjustable to taste, and you can swap in others as you like. Onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika are other good options (but use your favorite)
Tomato soup is the classic for the sauce, but you can also use plain tomato sauce and doctor it up with your favorite herbs and seasonings if preferred
To peel the cabbage leaves off a head, cut an approximately ¼” slice off the base (at the stem) to expose the bottoms of each leaf. Carefully peel from the bottom up - don’t rush or you’ll tear the leaves. Use the small central leaves for another cabbage recipe. If they’re being stubborn, you can throw the whole head in to boil and peel them as they soften (but I dislike dealing with the very hot cabbage)
My cabbage rolls were perfectly cooked and verified via thermometer after 28 minutes total in a Ninja air fryer, without preheating. Other air fryers may vary slightly (as will the thickness of your rolls) so adjust as needed
The top will get very deep brown during cooking. It does not make the cabbage dry or crispy at all. However, if you don’t want it that dark, you have a couple choices. Add extra sauce on top, which will form a film that you can peel off after cooking. Alternatively, cover your dish with foil until the last few minutes, but note that this may extend cooking time by a few minutes as well
Store cooled cabbage rolls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. For longer term storage, they may be frozen individually on a sheet pan and then packed into a bag or container and stored frozen for 2-3 months
To reheat cabbage rolls in the air fryer, place on a piece or parchment or foil (or in a small oven safe dish). Air fry at 350°F for about 5 minutes, until warmed through. Time can vary slightly based on the thickness of the rolls, the filling, and your specific air fryer, so adjust as needed
Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and size of ingredients, any swaps or adjustments, sides added, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only