Description
Polish cabbage rolls deliver hearty comfort wrapped in tender cabbage leaves. Stuffed with seasoned ground meat and rice, these classic rolls offer a delicious journey through Eastern European culinary traditions that satisfy you completely.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (1 lb) ground beef
- 15 cabbage leaves
Rice and Binding Ingredients:
- 0.25 cup uncooked white rice
- 0.25 cup Italian bread crumbs
Flavor Enhancers and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley, plus more for garnish
- 0.5 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- Kosher salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Sauce Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 0.5 large onion, chopped
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350°F (177°C), preparing a welcoming environment for the hearty cabbage rolls.
- In a skillet, sauté finely chopped onions in oil until they become translucent and fragrant, releasing their sweet aroma.
- Introduce tomato paste, minced garlic, and crushed tomatoes to the skillet, allowing the mixture to simmer gently for 20 minutes, developing a rich, robust sauce.
- Immerse whole cabbage leaves in boiling water for 2-3 minutes until pliable, then carefully remove and trim away the thick central ribs to ensure easy rolling.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, prepared sauce, cooked rice, breadcrumbs, sautéed onions, and chopped fresh parsley, creating a flavorful and cohesive filling.
- Lay each cabbage leaf flat, place a portion of the meat mixture near the stem end, and roll tightly, folding in the sides to seal the filling securely.
- Arrange the rolled cabbage bundles seam-side down in a baking dish, creating a snug arrangement that allows minimal movement during cooking.
- Ladle the remaining tomato sauce generously over the cabbage rolls, ensuring complete coverage for maximum moisture and flavor.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil to trap steam and prevent excessive drying during the cooking process.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour and 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the cabbage to become tender.
- Remove from the oven, let rest for 10 minutes, then garnish with fresh parsley before serving hot.
Notes
- Elevate your comfort food game with these mouthwatering cabbage rolls that blend traditional Eastern European flavors with home-style cooking.
- Prep work is key, so give yourself plenty of time to blanch, cool, and carefully handle delicate cabbage leaves without tearing.
- Mixing meat filling requires gentle hands to prevent overworking the ground beef, which can make rolls tough and dense.
- Salt and seasoning are critical; taste your mixture before rolling to ensure robust flavor in every single bite.
- Leftovers taste even better the next day, as spices continue to meld and develop deeper, richer notes overnight in the refrigerator.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Eastern European
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 80mg