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Cozy Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe Easy Homemade Comfort Meal

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A comforting and easy-to-make stuffed cabbage rolls recipe featuring a savory meat and rice filling wrapped in tender cabbage leaves, baked in a flavorful tomato sauce. Perfect for family meals and potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20 preferred)
  • 1/2 lb ground pork (optional, can use all beef)
  • 1 cup cooked white rice
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (optional)
  • 1 large head green cabbage
  • Water and salt for blanching cabbage leaves
  • 2 cups canned crushed tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup tomato sauce
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

  1. Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil. Add a pinch of salt. Core the cabbage head and gently separate about 12 large leaves. Blanch the leaves in boiling water for 2-3 minutes until pliable. Drain and set aside on a clean towel to cool.
  2. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, cooked rice, chopped onion, minced garlic, beaten egg, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix gently until just combined.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, dried thyme, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste and set aside.
  4. Lay one cabbage leaf flat on a clean surface. Trim the thick vein from the base if necessary. Place about 2-3 tablespoons of filling near the base of the leaf. Fold in the sides and roll up snugly to encase the filling. Repeat with remaining leaves and filling.
  5. Spread a thin layer of sauce on the bottom of a baking dish. Place the cabbage rolls seam-side down in the dish, snug but not overcrowded. Pour the remaining sauce evenly over the rolls.
  6. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for about 1 hour. Halfway through, check and baste with sauce if it looks dry. Rolls should be tender and cooked through.
  7. Let the rolls rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and make handling easier.

Notes

Blanch cabbage leaves just enough to be pliable but not tear. Trim thick veins for easier rolling. Mix filling gently to avoid dense texture. Rest rolls after baking for best flavor and handling. Sauce can be simmered before baking for richer flavor. Can be made ahead and refrigerated before baking. Freeze cooked rolls with sauce for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: stuffed cabbage rolls, comfort food, easy dinner, family meal, baked cabbage rolls, ground beef recipe, homemade, cozy meal

Find it online: https://elvafood.com/cozy-stuffed-cabbage-rolls-recipe-easy-homemade-comfort-meal/