A Comforting Classic Straight from Grandma’s Kitchen Imagine the aroma of simmering tomato sauce, the savory blend of ground meat and rice, and the tender embrace of cabbage leaves. Stuffed Cabbage Rolls are a timeless comfort food that harkens back to Grandma’s kitchen. This recipe captures the essence of home-cooked nostalgia, offering a satisfying meal that’s hearty, flavorful, and guaranteed to warm your heart.
Homemade Comfort
The heart of this dish is the filling—a mixture of ground meat, rice, and seasonings. It’s a hearty and satisfying combination that fills each cabbage roll with homemade comfort.
Cabbage’s Tender Embrace
The cabbage leaves play a crucial role by enveloping the flavorful filling. They cook to tender perfection, releasing their earthy sweetness and adding a unique layer of flavor to the dish.
Substitutions and Variations:
Customize your Stuffed Cabbage Rolls with these variations:
- Vegetarian Twist: Replace the ground meat with cooked lentils or a meat substitute for a vegetarian version.
- Saucy Surprise: Experiment with different sauces, like a creamy tomato sauce or a mushroom gravy, to pour over the cabbage rolls.
- Cultural Fusion: Add unique seasonings like curry powder, cumin, or allspice to infuse international flavors into your filling.
Closing
Now that you’ve uncovered the secret to Stuffed Cabbage Rolls, it’s time to savor the comforting embrace of this timeless classic. Share it with loved ones, make it a family tradition, or enjoy it as a reminder of the warmth of Grandma’s kitchen. Don’t forget to leave a review and share your favorite sauce variations with us. Happy cooking!
Tips or Notes:
- Choose cabbage with large, unblemished leaves for easier rolling.
- Blanching the cabbage leaves briefly in boiling water before rolling makes them more pliable and easier to work with.
- Customize the filling with your favorite seasonings and spices to suit your taste.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of cabbage?
Yes, you can use savoy cabbage or Napa cabbage if you prefer a different cabbage variety.
Can I freeze stuffed cabbage rolls?
Yes, you can freeze stuffed cabbage rolls. Place them in an airtight container or freezer bag, separating them with parchment paper, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
STUFFED CABBAGE ROLLS!!!
4
servings30
minutes40
minutesKeep the screen of your device on
Ingredients
- For the Cabbage Rolls:
1 large 1 head of cabbage
1 pound 1 (450g) ground beef or a mixture of beef and pork
1/2 cup 1/2 (100g) cooked rice
1 small 1 onion, finely chopped
1 1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 teaspoon 1/2 salt
1/4 teaspoon 1/4 black pepper
1/2 teaspoon 1/2 paprika
1/2 teaspoon 1/2 dried thyme (optional)
1 1 egg
1 can 1 (14 ounces/400g) diced tomatoes
1 can 1 (8 ounces/225g) tomato sauce
- For the Tomato Sauce:
1 can 1 (14 ounces/400g) crushed tomatoes
1/4 cup 1/4 (60ml) tomato sauce
1/4 cup 1/4 (60ml) water
2 tablespoons 2 brown sugar
1 tablespoon 1 white vinegar
1/2 teaspoon 1/2 salt
1/4 teaspoon 1/4 black pepper
Directions
- For the Cabbage Rolls:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Carefully remove the core of the cabbage and place the whole head in the boiling water.
- Cook the cabbage for about 5-7 minutes or until the outer leaves become soft and pliable. Remove the cabbage from the water and let it cool slightly.
- Carefully peel off the softened outer leaves and set them aside. Continue boiling and removing leaves until you have about 12 large leaves.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef (or beef and pork mixture), cooked rice, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, paprika, dried thyme (if using), and the egg. Mix until all ingredients are well combined.
- Take a cabbage leaf and place a portion of the filling (about 1/4 cup) in the center. Fold in the sides of the leaf and roll it up tightly, similar to a burrito. Repeat with the remaining leaves and filling.
- In a large ovenproof dish, arrange the cabbage rolls seam side down.
- For the Tomato Sauce:
- In a separate mixing bowl, combine the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, brown sugar, white vinegar, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
- Pour the tomato sauce mixture over the cabbage rolls in the ovenproof dish, ensuring they are well covered.
- Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour or until the cabbage rolls are tender and cooked through.
- Serve your comforting Stuffed Cabbage Rolls hot, garnished with some of the tomato sauce. Enjoy!
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