Description
Hearty Stuffed Cabbage Rolls bring comfort from Eastern European kitchens, blending tender cabbage leaves with savory meat and rice. Warm spices and rich tomato sauce create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
Sauce Ingredients:
- 1 (28 ounces / 794 grams) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Filling and Wrapping Ingredients:
- 15 cabbage leaves
- 1/4 cup uncooked white rice
- 1/4 cup Italian breadcrumbs
- 1/2 large onion, chopped
- 2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley (plus extra for garnish)
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Craft a robust tomato sauce by sautéing diced onions in olive oil until they transform into a translucent golden hue.
- Introduce minced garlic, tomato paste, brown sugar, and balsamic vinegar, stirring vigorously to release their aromatic essence.
- Pour in crushed tomatoes, sprinkle oregano, and season with salt and pepper, allowing the sauce to develop depth through gentle simmering.
- Prepare a large pot of boiling water to transform robust cabbage leaves into pliable wrappers.
- Delicately blanch cabbage leaves for approximately one minute, ensuring they become soft and flexible without tearing.
- Drain and allow leaves to cool, creating a comfortable workspace for rolling.
- Meticulously trim the tough white central vein from each leaf to facilitate smoother wrapping.
- Combine ground beef with cooked rice, breadcrumbs, finely chopped onion, and fresh parsley in a mixing bowl.
- Incorporate a portion of the prepared tomato sauce into the meat mixture, seasoning generously with salt and pepper.
- Position each cabbage leaf strategically, placing a precise portion of the meat mixture near one edge.
- Execute a precise rolling technique, carefully tucking in sides to create neat, compact parcels.
- Prepare a baking vessel by spreading a protective layer of tomato sauce across the bottom.
- Arrange the cabbage rolls methodically, ensuring they rest seam-side down in the sauce-lined dish.
- Lavish the remaining sauce over the carefully crafted rolls, ensuring complete coverage.
- Shield the dish with aluminum foil and transfer to a preheated oven set at 350°F.
- Allow the rolls to bake, transforming into a tender, flavor-packed masterpiece for approximately 75 minutes.
- Upon completion, garnish with freshly chopped parsley, creating a vibrant final presentation.
Notes
- Tenderize cabbage leaves gently by blanching briefly to prevent tearing and ensure easy rolling.
- Customize filling by substituting ground beef with ground turkey, lamb, or plant-based protein for dietary preferences.
- Control moisture by draining excess liquid from meat mixture to prevent soggy cabbage rolls.
- Enhance flavor complexity by adding herbs like dill or thyme to the sauce and meat mixture for depth.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Eastern European
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 560 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg