Cabbage Rolls Recipe

Cabbage rolls are a classic comfort food dish made with tender cabbage leaves stuffed with a flavorful mixture of ground meat, rice, and seasonings, all simmered in a savory tomato sauce.

Ingredients:

For the Cabbage Rolls:

• 1 large head of green cabbage
• 1 lb (450g) ground beef (or a mix of ground beef and pork)
• 1/2 cup uncooked rice (white or brown)
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

For the Sauce:

• 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon sugar (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil (optional)

Instructions:

Prepare the Cabbage Leaves:

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Carefully remove the core from the cabbage head.
2. Place the cabbage head in the boiling water and cook for 2-3 minutes, until the outer leaves are soft and pliable. Use tongs to gently peel off the outer leaves, placing them on a plate to cool. Repeat until you have about 12-15 leaves.
3. Pat the leaves dry with paper towels and set them aside.

Make the Filling:

1. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, uncooked rice, chopped onion, minced garlic, beaten egg, chopped parsley, salt, pepper, paprika, and dried thyme. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly distributed.

Prepare the Sauce:

1. In a separate bowl, mix together the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, sugar (if using), salt, pepper, and dried basil (if using). Stir to combine.

Assemble the Cabbage Rolls:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Lay a cabbage leaf flat on a clean surface. Place about 1/4 cup of the meat mixture in the center of the leaf. Fold the sides over the filling and roll up tightly, like a burrito. Repeat with the remaining cabbage leaves and filling.
3. Pour a thin layer of the tomato sauce mixture into the bottom of a large baking dish.
4. Arrange the cabbage rolls seam-side down in the dish, fitting them snugly together.

Bake the Cabbage Rolls:

1. Pour the remaining tomato sauce over the cabbage rolls, making sure they are well covered.
2. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the cabbage is tender and the filling is cooked through.

Serve:

1. Remove the cabbage rolls from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.
2. Enjoy your homemade Cabbage Rolls—a warm and comforting dish that’s perfect for a family meal. Serve with extra sauce and a side of mashed potatoes or crusty bread.