Description
Old Fashioned Stuffed Cabbage Rolls are a comforting classic dish featuring tender cabbage leaves wrapped around a savory mixture of ground beef, rice, and aromatic spices, all baked in a rich tomato sauce. This recipe delivers a hearty, warming meal perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Cabbage Rolls
- 1 large head of cabbage
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Sauce
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the stuffed cabbage rolls.
- Blanch cabbage leaves: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Remove the core from the cabbage and blanch the leaves by boiling them for 2-3 minutes to soften and make them pliable for rolling.
- Prepare filling: In a bowl, combine ground beef, cooked rice, chopped onion, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and paprika. Mix thoroughly to blend all flavors evenly.
- Fill cabbage leaves: Take one softened cabbage leaf and place a spoonful of the meat and rice mixture near the base of the leaf.
- Roll leaves: Fold the sides of the cabbage leaf over the filling and roll tightly to securely encase the mixture inside the leaf.
- Repeat rolling: Continue the process with the remaining cabbage leaves and filling until all are prepared.
- Prepare baking dish: Spread some tomato sauce evenly on the bottom of a baking dish to prevent sticking and add flavor.
- Arrange rolls: Place each cabbage roll seam side down in the baking dish, ensuring they fit snugly together.
- Add sauce: Pour the remaining tomato sauce over the arranged cabbage rolls, coating them generously.
- Bake: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour, allowing the flavors to meld and the rolls to cook through.
Notes
- Blanching the cabbage leaves softens them and makes rolling easier.
- Using cooked rice in the filling helps bind the meat and adds texture.
- Covering the dish with foil during baking keeps the rolls moist.
- Allow the dish to rest for 10 minutes after baking before serving to enhance flavor absorption.
