Ah, Stuffed Cabbage Rolls — a classic comfort food dish! Tender cabbage leaves wrapped around a flavorful meat-and-rice filling, baked in a tangy tomato sauce. Perfect for family dinners. 🥬🍅
Here’s a solid, easy recipe:
Classic Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
Ingredients
For the rolls:
- 1 large head of green cabbage
- 1 lb ground beef (or mix beef & pork)
- ½ cup cooked rice
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp paprika (optional)
For the sauce:
- 2 cups tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
- 1 tbsp tomato paste (optional, for richness)
- 2 tbsp sugar (balances acidity)
- 1 tbsp vinegar or lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tsp dried herbs (thyme, oregano, or parsley)
Instructions
1. Prep the cabbage
- Bring a large pot of water to boil.
- Core the cabbage and carefully separate the leaves.
- Boil leaves 2–3 minutes until pliable, then drain and cool.
2. Make the filling
- In a bowl, mix ground meat, rice, onion, egg, garlic, salt, pepper, and paprika.
3. Roll the cabbage
- Take a leaf, trim thick vein if needed.
- Place 2–3 tbsp filling in the center.
- Fold sides over the filling, then roll from the stem end.
- Repeat until all filling is used.
4. Make the sauce
- In a separate bowl, combine tomato sauce, paste, sugar, vinegar, herbs, salt, and pepper.
5. Assemble & cook
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Spread a little sauce on the bottom of a baking dish.
- Place rolls seam-side down in the dish.
- Pour remaining sauce over the rolls.
- Cover with foil and bake 1 hour.
6. Serve
- Serve hot with mashed potatoes or crusty bread.
Tips & Variations
- Flavor boost: Sauté onion and garlic before adding to filling.
- Rice alternatives: Quinoa or bulgur can replace rice.
- Slow cooker version: Layer cabbage rolls in the crockpot, pour sauce over, cook on LOW 6–7 hours.
- Cheesy twist: Sprinkle Parmesan over sauce before baking.
If you want, I can also give a “sweet & tangy Eastern European style” version that’s extra juicy and full of flavor — it’s a crowd-pleaser.
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