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Mom’s Lettuce Wraps: Easy Thursday Dinner with Extra Sauce

Emily Bakes
June 13, 2026
Delicious lettuce wraps served with extra sauce for a quick dinner

These recipes make for a cozy, comforting dinner option, perfect for busy weeknights or when you’re simply craving home-cooked goodness. Whether you’re catching up on your favorite shows or enjoying a moment of quiet, these roll-ups deliver on flavor and comfort. They’re easy to assemble, and the extra sauce ensures every bite is full of that delicious flavor we all love. Here’s how to bring this heartwarming meal to your table.

Recipe 1: Classic Stuffed Cabbage Roll-Ups

Ingredients

  • 1 large head of green cabbage
  • 1 pound (450 g) ground beef or turkey
  • 1 cup (240 ml) cooked rice
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (15 oz/425 g) tomato sauce
  • 1 can (10.5 oz/300 g) cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 tablespoon (15 g) Worcestershire sauce
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Carefully remove the core from the cabbage head. Once the water is boiling, place the cabbage in the pot and boil for about 5-7 minutes until the leaves are pliable. Remove the cabbage and let it cool slightly.

  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground meat, cooked rice, chopped onion, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly combined.

  3. When the cabbage is cool enough to handle, gently peel off the leaves. Place 2-3 tablespoons of the meat mixture onto each leaf, fold in the sides, and roll up tightly to secure the filling.

  4. In a 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) baking dish, pour a layer of tomato sauce to cover the bottom. Place the stuffed cabbage rolls seam-side down in the dish. Once all are arranged, pour the remaining tomato sauce and cream of mushroom soup evenly over the top.

  5. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 45 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes until bubbly and slightly golden on top.

  6. Once out of the oven, let the rolls rest for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.

Tips

  • For an added kick, consider incorporating a teaspoon of paprika or a dash of hot sauce into the filling.
  • If you want a lighter version, use ground chicken or turkey instead of beef.
  • Make sure not to overcook the cabbage leaves; they should be tender yet still hold their shape for easy rolling.

Recipe 2: Creamy Tomato Sauce Macaroni

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces (225 g) elbow macaroni
  • 1 can (15 oz/425 g) tomato sauce
  • 1 cup (240 ml) cream or half-and-half
  • 1 cup (100 g) shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 tablespoon (15 g) butter
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Cook the macaroni according to package instructions in a large pot of salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.

  2. In the same pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the tomato sauce and bring to a simmer.

  3. Stir in the cream and mix well. Reduce the heat to low and gradually add the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper.

  4. Add the drained macaroni to the cheese sauce, stirring well to coat all the pasta.

  5. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh basil or parsley for a pop of color and flavor.

Tips

  • For a heartier dish, add cooked ground beef or sausage into the sauce.
  • A sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes can add a delightful heat to the dish.
  • This recipe doubles easily, making it a great option for a larger family gathering.

These recipes promise to bring a warm, nostalgic feeling to your dinner table. They’re simple to whip up, ideal for cozy evenings, and, quite frankly, just make life a little sweeter. Enjoy!

Classic Stuffed Cabbage Roll-Ups

A cozy and comforting dinner option featuring cabbage leaves stuffed with a savory mixture of ground meat, rice, and topped with tomato sauce.

For the stuffed cabbage roll-ups

  • 1 large head green cabbage
  • 1 pound ground beef or turkey (You can use either beef or turkey.)
  • 1 cup cooked rice
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
  • 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • to taste Salt and pepper
  • for garnish Fresh parsley, chopped (Optional)

Preparation

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Carefully remove the core from the cabbage head.
  2. Place the cabbage in the pot and boil for about 5-7 minutes until the leaves are pliable. Remove the cabbage and let it cool slightly.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground meat, cooked rice, chopped onion, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly combined.
  4. When the cabbage is cool enough to handle, gently peel off the leaves.
  5. Place 2-3 tablespoons of the meat mixture onto each leaf, fold in the sides, and roll up tightly to secure the filling.

Baking

  1. In a 9×13-inch baking dish, pour a layer of tomato sauce to cover the bottom. Place the stuffed cabbage rolls seam-side down in the dish.
  2. Once all are arranged, pour the remaining tomato sauce and cream of mushroom soup evenly over the top.
  3. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 45 minutes.
  4. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes until bubbly and slightly golden on top.

Serving

  1. Once out of the oven, let the rolls rest for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.

For an added kick, consider incorporating a teaspoon of paprika or a dash of hot sauce into the filling. If you want a lighter version, use ground chicken or turkey instead of beef. Make sure not to overcook the cabbage leaves; they should be tender yet still hold their shape for easy rolling.

Dinner, Main Course
American
comfort food, Cozy Dinner, easy recipe, Homemade, Stuffed Cabbage

Written By

Emily Bakes

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