33g Protein Cajun Shrimp & Sausage Stuffed Cabbage

A flavorful, high-protein meal featuring tender cabbage leaves stuffed with Cajun-seasoned shrimp, lean sausage, and rice, then baked in a savory tomato sauce.

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 6

Approximate Nutrition (per serving):

• Protein: 33 g
• Calories: 340–390
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fat: 16 g

Ingredients

For the Cabbage

• 1 large green cabbage
• Water for boiling

For the Filling

• 1 lb (450 g) raw shrimp, peeled, deveined, and chopped
• 8 oz (225 g) lean smoked turkey sausage or chicken sausage, diced
• 1 cup cooked brown or white rice
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 green onions, sliced
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

For the Sauce

• 1 can (15 oz/425 g) tomato sauce
• 1 can (14.5 oz/410 g) diced tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

1. Prepare the cabbage: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Remove the core from the cabbage and carefully peel off 12 large leaves. Boil the leaves for 2–3 minutes until softened, then drain and let cool.
2. Make the filling: Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the onion for 3–4 minutes until softened, then add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
3. Add the sausage and cook for 3–4 minutes. Stir in the chopped shrimp, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, and black pepper. Cook just until the shrimp turn pink, about 2 minutes.
4. Remove from the heat and stir in the cooked rice, green onions, and parsley.
5. Prepare the sauce: Mix together the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, Cajun seasoning, and garlic powder.
6. Spread a thin layer of sauce in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
7. Place about ⅓ cup of filling in the center of each cabbage leaf. Fold in the sides and roll tightly.
8. Arrange the rolls seam-side down in the baking dish. Pour the remaining sauce over the top.
9. Cover with foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 35–40 minutes.

Serving Suggestions

• Steamed green beans
• Roasted broccoli
• Cauliflower rice
• Garden salad
• Crusty bread

Tips

• Don’t overcook the shrimp before rolling—they’ll finish cooking in the oven.
• For extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a few dashes of hot sauce to the filling.
• To make it lower in carbs, replace the rice with cauliflower rice.