Classic Cabbage Rolls Recipe
Classic Cabbage Rolls are a comforting and hearty dish featuring tender cabbage leaves stuffed with a savory mixture of ground meat and rice, simmered in a rich tomato sauce until perfectly cooked. This traditional recipe is perfect for a warming family meal that combines simple ingredients into a satisfying and flavorful dish.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Eastern European
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cabbage Rolls
- 1 large head of cabbage (about 2 to 3 pounds)
- 1 pound ground beef or a blend of beef and pork
- 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika (optional)
For the Sauce
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 1 cup water or beef broth
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the Cabbage Leaves: Remove the core from the cabbage and carefully peel off about 12 large leaves. Blanch the leaves in boiling water for 2-3 minutes until pliable, then drain and set aside to cool.
- Make the Filling: In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, uncooked rice, chopped onion, minced garlic, egg, salt, pepper, and paprika. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Stuff the Cabbage Leaves: Place about 2 to 3 tablespoons of the meat mixture onto the center of each cabbage leaf. Fold in the sides and roll up tightly, ensuring the filling is fully enclosed.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a separate bowl, mix tomato sauce, water or broth, sugar, salt, and pepper to create a balanced, slightly sweet tomato sauce.
- Simmer the Rolls: Arrange the cabbage rolls seam-side down in a large pot or deep skillet in a single layer. Pour the tomato sauce mixture over the rolls, ensuring they are mostly covered with liquid. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
- Cook Until Tender: Cover the pot and simmer on low heat for 1 to 1.5 hours until the cabbage is tender and the filling is fully cooked, stirring gently occasionally to prevent sticking.
Notes
- Using a mix of ground beef and pork can add extra flavor and moisture to the filling.
- For a gluten-free version, ensure the tomato sauce and other ingredients are free of any gluten additives.
- Leftover cabbage rolls can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Serve with a dollop of sour cream or a side of crusty bread for a complete meal.
- If you prefer, you can precook the rice before mixing it into the filling, but using uncooked rice yields a better texture after simmering.
Keywords: cabbage rolls, stuffed cabbage, ground meat, tomato sauce, comfort food
Find it online: https://spiceupwithsophie.com/classic-cabbage-rolls-recipe/
