Description
Hearty cabbage roll delight from Eastern European kitchens combines ground beef, rice, and tangy tomato sauce in a single comforting dish. Simmering flavors meld together, creating a meal you’ll savor with warmth and satisfaction.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) lean ground beef
- 15 oz (425 g) diced tomatoes
- 15 oz (425 g) beef broth or beef stock
- 1 cup (200 g) uncooked valencia rice
- 1 head cabbage, roughly chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp sea salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- Grated parmesan cheese (for garnish)
Instructions
- Searing Protein: Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium temperature, then introduce ground beef with garlic, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder, crumbling and browning meat until no pink remains, approximately 5-7 minutes.
- Liquid Integration: Add diced tomatoes, beef broth, uncooked rice, remaining seasonings, and spices, stirring to create a harmonious mixture and ensuring even distribution of flavors.
- Cabbage Incorporation: Gently fold freshly chopped cabbage into the beef and rice blend, allowing it to nestle within the mixture, then reduce heat to low and cover with a tight-fitting lid.
- Simmering and Melding: Let the dish simmer quietly for 18-22 minutes, allowing rice to become tender and cabbage to soften and wilt completely, periodically checking liquid absorption and overall consistency.
- Resting and Serving: Remove from heat and let the one-pot wonder rest for 3-5 minutes to allow flavors to fully develop, then serve immediately, optionally crowning with freshly grated parmesan cheese for an extra layer of culinary sophistication.
Notes
- Meat Preparation Tip: Brown ground beef completely to eliminate any pink areas, ensuring food safety and enhancing overall flavor profile.
- Rice Absorption Technique: Uncooked rice needs precise liquid ratio and cooking time to prevent mushiness or undercooked grains.
- Cabbage Texture Control: Fold cabbage gently to maintain slight crispness and prevent turning into mushy consistency during simmering.
- Flavor Enhancing Hack: Allow dish to rest after cooking, enabling seasonings to fully integrate and create deeper, more complex taste experience.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Eastern European
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg