🥬🥩 Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
Tender cabbage leaves wrapped around a savory filling of ground beef and rice, simmered in a rich tomato sauce until soft and flavorful.
🧾 Ingredients:
For the rolls:
- 1 large head cabbage
- 500g ground beef
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 small onion (finely chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp dried herbs (parsley or dill)
For the sauce:
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 1 cup chicken broth or water
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp sugar (optional, balances acidity)
- Salt & pepper to taste
🔪 Instructions:
1. Prepare cabbage
- Boil whole cabbage in hot water for 5–10 minutes
- Peel off softened outer leaves carefully
- Trim thick stems for easy rolling
2. Make filling
- Mix ground beef, cooked rice, onion, garlic, egg, and seasonings
- Combine until well blended
3. Roll cabbage
- Place filling on each leaf
- Fold sides inward and roll tightly
4. Prepare sauce
- Mix tomato sauce, broth, oil, sugar, salt, and pepper in a pot or baking dish
5. Cook
Stovetop:
- Layer rolls in sauce
- Simmer covered for 45–60 minutes
Oven:
- Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 1 hour covered
🍽️ Result:
Soft, tender cabbage wrapped around juicy, seasoned ground beef, soaked in rich tomato sauce.
🔥 Pro Tips:
- Don’t overfill or rolls may burst
- Add a splash of lemon juice for brightness
- Let rest before serving for better flavor
🧠 Variations:
- Use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version
- Add herbs like dill or mint for extra freshness
- Make a creamy tomato sauce version with sour cream
If you want, I can also make a slow cooker cabbage rolls version, a low-carb keto version without rice, or a Mediterranean-style stuffed cabbage recipe.