Description
Delicious and comforting stuffed cabbage rolls filled with a savory mixture of ground beef, rice, and aromatic spices, baked in a rich tomato sauce. This classic dish is perfect for a hearty family meal and combines tender cabbage leaves with a flavorful filling for a satisfying taste experience.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cabbage Rolls:
- 1 medium head cabbage (About 2 pounds)
- 1 cup uncooked rice
- 1 pound ground beef (Or ground turkey)
- 1 large onion (Chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (Minced)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (Chopped, optional)
For the Sauce and Garnish:
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme (Optional)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (Optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cabbage Leaves: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Carefully remove the core from the cabbage and place the whole head in the boiling water for about 5 minutes, or until the outer leaves are tender. Gently peel off the softened leaves and set them aside to cool.
- Cook the Meat Mixture: In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the chopped onion and garlic until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Mix Filling Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked meat mixture with the uncooked rice, paprika, salt, black pepper, and fresh parsley. Mix well to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the rolls.
- Assemble the Rolls: Take one cabbage leaf at a time and place about 2-3 tablespoons of the filling at the base of the leaf. Fold in the sides and roll it up tightly to enclose the filling. Repeat this process with the remaining leaves and filling.
- Arrange and Add Sauce: In a baking dish, spread a thin layer of tomato sauce on the bottom. Arrange the stuffed cabbage rolls seam-side down in the dish. Pour the remaining tomato sauce over the top of the rolls, and sprinkle with dried thyme if desired.
- Bake the Rolls: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Serve: Once cooked, remove the rolls from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving. Drizzle with a little lemon juice for added flavor if desired.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- Using uncooked rice in the filling allows it to cook fully inside the cabbage rolls during baking.
- If your cabbage leaves are small, use more leaves to ensure all filling is enclosed.
- For a vegetarian variation, replace meat with cooked lentils or mushrooms and increase the spices accordingly.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Feel free to add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the filling for a spicy kick.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Eastern European
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed cabbage roll
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: Stuffed cabbage rolls, cabbage recipe, ground beef recipe, baked cabbage rolls, comfort food, Eastern European dish
