🥬 **Stuffed cabbage rolls
Stuffed cabbage rolls are a classic comfort food where cabbage leaves are filled with a mixture of ground meat, rice, and seasonings, then baked or simmered in a savory tomato-based sauce. They’re popular in many cuisines, including Eastern European and Middle Eastern.
🧾 Ingredients (6–8 servings)
- 1 large head of Cabbage
- 1 lb ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika (optional)
- 2 cups tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
- 1 tbsp sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
👩🍳 Instructions
- Prepare cabbage leaves
- Bring a large pot of water to boil.
- Core the cabbage and carefully separate leaves.
- Blanch leaves in boiling water 2–3 minutes until pliable. Drain.
- Make the filling
- In a bowl, mix ground meat, cooked rice, onion, egg, garlic, salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Stuff the cabbage
- Place a spoonful of filling near the base of each leaf.
- Fold sides over and roll tightly.
- Prepare the sauce
- In a baking dish, mix tomato sauce, sugar, and a little olive oil.
- Assemble and cook
- Place rolls seam-side down in the sauce.
- Cover and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 45–60 minutes.
- Serve
- Spoon sauce over the rolls. Serve hot, optionally with sour cream.
🍴 Tips & Variations
- Rice options: Use white, brown, or even quinoa.
- Meat options: Beef, pork, turkey, or lamb.
- Extra flavor: Add fresh herbs like dill or parsley to the filling.
- Make-ahead: Rolls can be assembled ahead and refrigerated before baking.
I can also give you a traditional Eastern European version with sweet-and-sour tomato sauce that’s very popular at family gatherings and holidays.
Do you want me to do that?
