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Cabbage Rolls Recipe

Cabbage Rolls Recipe
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★★★★★

4.7 from 9 reviews

This classic Cabbage Rolls recipe features tender cabbage leaves stuffed with a savory mixture of ground pork, lean beef, rice, and Italian seasoning, all baked in a rich tomato sauce. The rolls are flavorful, comforting, and perfect for a hearty family dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cabbage Rolls:

  • 1 Head Cabbage
  • 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
  • 1 Onion, finely diced
  • 2 teaspoons Minced Garlic
  • 1 pound Ground Pork
  • 1/2 pound Lean Ground Beef
  • 1 cup Long Grain White Rice (uncooked)
  • 1 Large Egg, beaten
  • 2 teaspoons Italian Seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon Pepper

For the Sauce:

  • 28 ounces Crushed Tomatoes
  • 15 ounces Tomato Sauce
  • 2 Tablespoons Tomato Paste
  • 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
  • 2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Cabbage: Remove the outer tough leaves from the cabbage. Place the cabbage core side down in a large microwave-safe dish and pour approximately ½ cup of water around it.
  2. Microwave the Cabbage: Microwave for 10 minutes, carefully flip the cabbage over, and microwave for another 10 minutes to soften the leaves for easy removal.
  3. Remove Cabbage Leaves: Let the cabbage cool slightly to handle safely, then carefully remove 12 large cabbage leaves and set them aside.
  4. Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  5. Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and sauté for 5-7 minutes until soft. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.
  6. Mix Filling: To the onion mixture, add ground pork, ground beef, uncooked rice, beaten egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly.
  7. Prepare Sauce: In a separate dish, whisk together crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar. Set aside.
  8. Layer Sauce: Pour one-third of the prepared tomato sauce into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  9. Assemble Rolls: Place about 3 tablespoons of the meat mixture onto the center of each cabbage leaf. Fold the sides over the filling and roll tightly like a small burrito. Place each roll seam side down in the baking dish in a single layer.
  10. Add Remaining Sauce: Pour the remaining tomato sauce evenly over the cabbage rolls.
  11. Bake: Cover the baking dish tightly with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 80-90 minutes, until the cabbage is tender and the filling is cooked through.
  12. Cool and Serve: Let the cabbage rolls cool slightly before serving. Enjoy warm as a hearty main dish.

Notes

  • If fresh cabbage leaves are too tough, blanch them in boiling water for 2-3 minutes to soften before stuffing.
  • Long grain white rice is used uncooked as it will cook fully during baking.
  • For a leaner option, substitute ground turkey for pork and beef.
  • The sauce can be adjusted for sweetness or acidity by varying the amount of brown sugar.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
  • Use a sharp knife to core the cabbage before microwaving for easier leaf removal.

Nutrition

Keywords: cabbage rolls, stuffed cabbage, ground pork recipe, ground beef recipe, baked cabbage rolls, comfort food

Find it online: https://cookwithruby.com/cabbage-rolls-recipe/