Description
Discover the comforting goodness of these classic Stuffed Cabbage Rolls, featuring tender cabbage leaves wrapped around a flavorful beef and rice filling, then baked to perfection in a sweet and tangy tomato sauce. Perfect for weeknight dinners or a hearty family meal!
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Cabbage Rolls:
- 12 cabbage leaves – tender and ready to wrap.
- 1 lb ground beef – the base of the filling.
- 1 cup cooked rice – for texture and heartiness.
- 1 onion, finely chopped – adds aromatic sweetness.
- 2 cloves garlic, minced – for a punch of flavor.
- 1 egg, beaten – helps bind the filling.
- 1 teaspoon salt – enhances the flavors.
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper – for seasoning.
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme – earthy herbal notes.
For the Tomato Sauce:
- 1 can (14 oz) tomato sauce – forms the base of the sauce.
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar – for a touch of sweetness.
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice – adds tanginess.
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce – depth of flavor.
Instructions
- Prepare the Cabbage Leaves:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
- Blanch the cabbage leaves for 2 minutes until pliable, then drain and set aside to cool.
- Make the Filling:
- In a mixing bowl, combine ground beef, cooked rice, onion, garlic, beaten egg, salt, pepper, and thyme. Mix well.
- Assemble the Rolls:
- Lay a cabbage leaf flat and place a portion of the beef mixture in the center.
- Roll the leaf, tucking in the sides to create a neat parcel. Repeat with all leaves.
- Prepare the Baking Dish:
- Arrange the cabbage rolls seam-side down in a greased baking dish.
- Make the Sauce:
- In a small bowl, mix tomato sauce, brown sugar, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce. Pour evenly over the cabbage rolls.
- Bake:
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 1 hour, or until the meat is fully cooked and the cabbage is tender.
- Serve:
- Serve warm, spooning extra sauce over each roll. Enjoy this hearty comfort food!
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with lentils or mushrooms.
- Add a pinch of paprika or chili flakes to the filling for extra heat.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 rolls
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg