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Cabbage Rolls

These savory cabbage rolls are a delightful comfort food, featuring tender cabbage leaves wrapped around a hearty filling of beef, rice, and spices, topped with rich tomato sauce.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Comfort Food, Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Eastern European
Calories: 250
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cabbage
  • 1 large head large head of cabbage Choose a large head for bigger leaves.
Filling
  • 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey) Can substitute with ground turkey or plant-based meat.
  • 1 cup cooked rice
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce Can use spicy tomato or barbecue sauce for variations.
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce Or a non-alcoholic substitute.
  • 1 tablespoon paprika Feel free to add herbs like dill or parsley for extra flavor.
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Carefully remove the core of the cabbage and place the entire head in the boiling water for about 2 minutes, or until the leaves soften. Remove from water and let it cool.
Making the Filling
  1. In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, cooked rice, diced onion, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together until well combined.
Assembling the Rolls
  1. Once the cabbage leaves have cooled, take a leaf and place a generous tablespoon of the filling at the base of the leaf. Roll the leaf tightly, tucking in the sides as you go. Repeat until all filling is used.
Preparing the Sauce
  1. In a large baking dish, spread a bit of tomato sauce on the bottom. Place the rolled cabbage seams-side down in the dish. Pour the remaining tomato sauce and diced tomatoes over the rolls.
Baking
  1. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 60 minutes. Remove the foil for the last 15 minutes of baking.
Serving
  1. Once cooked, let the rolls sit for a few moments before plating. Enjoy them warm with some extra tomato sauce on top.

Notes

Storage: Leftover cabbage rolls can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, consider freezing them for about 2-3 months. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 20 minutes or microwave covered with a damp paper towel to maintain moisture.