Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe

Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe

Ingredients:

For the Cabbage Rolls:

• 1 large head of cabbage
• 1 lb (450g) ground beef
• 1/2 lb (225g) ground pork
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme

For the Sauce:

• 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Cabbage:

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Carefully remove the core from the cabbage.
2. Place the cabbage in the boiling water and cook for about 2-3 minutes or until the outer leaves are tender and pliable. Remove the cabbage from the water and let cool slightly.
3. Carefully peel off the leaves one at a time. You will need about 12-15 leaves for the rolls. If needed, return the cabbage to the boiling water to soften more leaves.

2. Prepare the Filling:

1. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, cooked rice, chopped onion, minced garlic, beaten egg, salt, black pepper, paprika, and dried thyme. Mix until well combined.

3. Prepare the Sauce:

1. In a medium bowl, combine the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes (with their juice), brown sugar, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.

4. Assemble the Cabbage Rolls:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Lay a cabbage leaf on a flat surface. Place about 1/4 cup of the meat mixture in the center of the leaf. Fold in the sides and roll up from the bottom to enclose the filling.
3. Repeat with the remaining cabbage leaves and filling.
4. Place the cabbage rolls seam-side down in a large baking dish.

5. Cook the Cabbage Rolls:

1. Pour the prepared sauce over the cabbage rolls, making sure they are well covered.
2. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until the cabbage is tender and the filling is cooked through.

6. Serve:

1. Carefully remove the cabbage rolls from the baking dish and place them on a serving platter.
2. Spoon some of the sauce over the cabbage rolls and serve hot.

Tips:

• You can use a mixture of ground meats such as beef, pork, and veal for a different flavor.
• Leftover cabbage rolls can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
• Serve the cabbage rolls with a side of mashed potatoes or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.

Enjoy your hearty and flavorful stuffed cabbage rolls!