Description
Comforting Cabbage Rolls
These Comforting Cabbage Rolls are filled with savory meat and rice, wrapped in soft cabbage, and simmered in a rich tomato sauce. This dish will warm you up from the inside out!
How do you like your cabbage rolls?
Ingredients:
1 head of cabbage
1 lb ground beef
1/2 cup rice, cooked
1 onion, diced
Salt, pepper
2 cups tomato sauce
Fresh parsley
Instructions:
Blanch cabbage leaves in boiling water.
Combine beef, rice, onion, salt, and pepper.
Place filling in each leaf, roll, and layer in a pot.
Cover with tomato sauce and cook for 45 mins.
Garnish with parsley and enjoy.
#ComfortFoodVibes
Step-by-Step Guide
1. Prepare the Cabbage: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Carefully remove the core from the cabbage head. Submerge the entire head in boiling water for 3-4 minutes. As the outer leaves soften, peel them off with tongs. Return the head to the water to soften more inner leaves. You’ll need about 12 large, pliable leaves. Trim the thick rib from the bottom of each leaf for easier rolling.
2. Make the Filling: In a large bowl, combine 1 lb of ground beef, 1/2 cup of cooked rice, one diced onion, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Mix thoroughly with your hands until fully incorporated.
3. Assemble the Rolls: Lay a cabbage leaf flat. Place about 1/4 cup of the meat mixture near the bottom stem end. Fold the sides of the leaf inward, then roll it up tightly from the bottom to the top, like a burrito.
4. Cook: Place rolls seam-side down in a single layer in a large Dutch oven or deep skillet. Pour 2 cups of tomato sauce evenly over the rolls. Cover the pot and simmer on low heat for 45 minutes, or until the cabbage is tender and the filling is cooked through.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these comforting rolls hot, directly from the pot. They pair beautifully with a dollop of sour cream or plain Greek yogurt to balance the tomato sauce’s acidity. For a complete meal, add a side of crusty bread for soaking up the sauce and a simple green salad dressed with a light vinaigrette. Leftovers taste even better the next day as the flavors continue to meld.
How-to Summary
Blanch whole cabbage to get soft leaves. Mix ground beef, cooked rice, diced onion, salt, and pepper for the filling. Spoon filling onto each leaf, fold sides in, and roll tightly. Arrange rolls in a pot, cover with tomato sauce, and simmer covered for 45 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of meat? Absolutely. Ground pork, turkey, chicken, or a mix of beef and pork are excellent alternatives. Adjust cooking time slightly for leaner meats to prevent drying out.
How can I make this dish ahead of time? Assemble the rolls and place them in the cooking dish. Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready, add the sauce and cook, adding 10-15 extra minutes since you’re starting from cold.
My cabbage leaves are tearing. What should I do? If leaves tear during blanching or rolling, overlap two smaller leaves to create a patch. The rolls will tighten up during cooking.
Can I freeze cabbage rolls? Yes, they freeze very well. Cook completely, let them cool, then freeze in an airtight container with the sauce for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Is the rice pre-cooked or uncooked? The rice must be pre-cooked. Using raw rice will result in hard, undercooked grains, as the simmering time isn’t sufficient to cook it through.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Over-stuffing the leaves, which causes them to burst open during cooking.
- Not trimming the thick stem vein, making the rolls difficult to roll and chew.
- Using raw rice instead of pre-cooked rice in the filling.
- Simmering at too high a boil, which can cause the sauce to splatter and the rolls to fall apart.
- Forgetting to place rolls seam-side down in the pot to help them stay sealed.
Conclusion
These Comforting Cabbage Rolls are a timeless, hearty dish perfect for family dinners and special occasions alike. While they require a bit of hands-on preparation, the result—tender cabbage wrapped around a savory, well-seasoned filling—is immensely satisfying. Mastering this recipe provides a foundational technique you can adapt with different fillings and sauces. It’s a classic piece of comfort food that is sure to become a cherished part of your cooking repertoire.
