Stuffed Rolls with Sauerkraut and Sausage

Stuffed rolls with sauerkraut and sausage are a delightful recipe that combines crisp bacon, sautéed onions, kielbasa, and spices wrapped in a soft dough, then baked to perfection. This dish offers a perfect blend of savory flavors and textures, appealing even to those who might not typically enjoy sauerkraut.

Sauerkraut is one of those foods you either love or hate. And I happened to be one of them who loves it.

So when I came across the stuffed rolls with sauerkraut and sausage recipe years ago I knew I just had to make it. I took the results to work to share with my co-workers.

They loved it! Many told me that they didn’t like sauerkraut but they loved these.

Now many years later my co-workers continue to ask for them. So do you like sauerkraut, if yes that’s great, if not read on this just might change your mind!

Before I get to the recipe let’s review a little information and history on sauerkraut.

What is Sauerkraut?

Sauerkraut is made of finely cut cabbage that has been fermented by various lactic acid bacteria. It has a long shelf life and a distinctive sour flavor, both of which result from the lactic acid that forms when the bacteria ferment the sugars in the cabbage. 

Don’t forget you can use cabbage in coleslaw, too!

Wikipedia “Sour Cabbage” is made with finely cut cabbage then salted and left to ferment usually for several days to weeks depending on which recipe you use. But I read somewhere that sauerkraut needs to ferment a minimum of 20 days for:

1. Good development of taste
2. To get the proper acidity level
3. To allow the complete consumption of the sugar in the cabbage

A Little History

Sauerkraut is German for “sour cabbage”. Although it is thought that sauerkraut originated in Germany, it is believed that 2000 years ago the Chinese preserved cabbage using rice wine to have food in the non-growing season.

Then brought to Europe with the marauding army of Genghis Khan. The German people used salt to preserve cabbage and that is the way it is still done today.

The Dutch took sauerkraut on their voyages to prevent scurvy. Other sea voyagers quickly caught on and began the same practice.

When the Germans and Dutch settlers came to America they brought their recipes for sauerkraut with them.

Fresh Vs Canned

Sauerkraut is a superior source of the probiotic, lactobacillus. Sauerkraut contains far more of this probiotic than yogurt.

Canned sauerkraut is pasteurized which kills off the good bacteria. Fresh sauerkraut does not.

This “superfood” also contains lots of vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin C, K, and B6. Also, a good source of Calcium and Magnesium.

Buy fresh sauerkraut made without vinegar to get all the health benefits. Now let’s get down to business.

Stuffed Rolls With Sauerkraut and Sausage

1. 6 bacon strips, diced
2. 1 cup chopped onion
3. 1(16 oz.) can sauerkraut, drained
4. 1/2 lb. fully cooked smoked kielbasa or Polish sausage
5. 2Tbsp. brown sugar
6. 1/2 tsp garlic salt
7. 1/4 tsp caraway seeds
8. 1/8 tsp pepper
9. 1 (16 oz.) pkg. hot roll mix
10. 2 eggs
11. 1 cup warm water (120 to 130 degrees)
12. 2 Tbsp butter or margarine, softened
13. Poppy seeds

In a skillet cook bacon until crisp; remove to paper towels. Reserve 2 tablespoons drippings.

Saute onion in drippings until tender. Stir in sauerkraut, sausage, brown sugar, garlic salt, caraway seeds, and pepper.

Cook and stir for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add bacon.

Set aside to cool. In a bowl combine the contents of the hot roll mix.

Stir in 1 egg, water, and butter to form a soft dough. Turn onto a floured surface.

Knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. Cover the dough with a large bowl and let stand for 5 minutes.

Divide dough into 16 pieces. On a floured surface, roll out each piece into a 4-inch circle.

Top each with 1/4 cup filling. Fold dough around the filling forming a ball; pinch edges to seal.

Place seam side down on greased baking sheets. Cover loosely with plastic wrap that has been coated with nonstick cooking spray.

Let rise in a warm place for 15 minutes. Beat remaining egg; brush over bundles and sprinkle with poppy seeds.

Bake at 350 degrees for 16-17 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm.

Try Something You Don’t Like, You Just Might be Surprised

If you like sauerkraut great, you are going to love these. If not try them you just might be surprised.

I know many that have told me they didn’t like sauerkraut but love these. I did want to mention that I have tweaked this recipe a little.

I add an extra tablespoon of brown sugar (I love my sugar). I also use a can of Bavarian sauerkraut (it has caraway seeds already in the sauerkraut).

This will save you the extra cost of buying caraway seeds if you don’t already have them. But by all means, use fresh sauerkraut if that is what you prefer.

It works as well. I also use frozen rolls instead of the hot roll mix.

They are already portioned and no extra mixing or kneading is needed. Just thaw them out in your refrigerator roll each one into a 4-inch circle and fill.

My Final Thoughts

• Stuffed rolls with sauerkraut and sausage are a comforting dish that combines tangy sauerkraut and savory sausage in a bread roll, similar to a German-style bratwurst sandwich found at a local Oktoberfest.
• The recipe involves hollowing out bread rolls to create a pocket, then filling them with a mixture of sauerkraut, sausage, and spices, echoing the process of making a stuffed crust pizza where the edges are filled with cheese or other toppings.
• For added flavor, onions and garlic can be sautéed and mixed with the filling, reminiscent of the aromatic base used in many traditional European dishes like French onion soup.
• The stuffed rolls are baked until golden brown, ensuring a crisp exterior, similar to the crust of a well-baked calzone.
• Serving these rolls hot and with a side of mustard or another condiment is recommended, akin to enjoying a hot dog at a baseball game with your choice of toppings.

Try this recipe, leave me a comment below, and let me know what you think. Did you change your mind about sauerkraut?

I would love to hear from you.

FAQ: Stuffed Rolls with Sauerkraut and Sausage

Q1: What are the key ingredients in the stuffed rolls with sauerkraut and sausage recipe?

• The recipe includes bacon, onion, sauerkraut, smoked kielbasa or Polish sausage, brown sugar, garlic salt, caraway seeds, pepper, a hot roll mix, eggs, water, butter or margarine, and poppy seeds.

Q2: How do you make stuffed rolls with sauerkraut and sausage?

• Cook bacon until crisp, sauté onions in bacon drippings, then add sauerkraut, sausage, and seasonings. Prepare dough from the hot roll mix, form into circles, add filling, seal, let rise, then bake until golden brown.