Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

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If you’re craving a comforting, home-cooked meal, these stuffed cabbage rolls are the perfect choice. This recipe combines tender cabbage leaves filled with a savory mixture of ground beef, pork, and rice, all cooked in a flavorful tomato sauce. Whether you’re new to making cabbage rolls or looking to perfect your technique, this step-by-step guide will lead you through the process.

Ingredients:

  • 1 medium head cabbage (approximately 3 pounds)
  • 1/2 pound uncooked ground beef
  • 1/2 pound uncooked ground pork
  • 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce, divided
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 1/2 cup uncooked long grain rice
  • 1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon snipped fresh dill or dill weed
  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the Cabbage:
    • Begin by carefully removing the core from the cabbage. This makes it easier to separate the leaves without tearing them.
    • Submerge the cabbage head in a large pot of boiling water. Cook until the outer leaves begin to pull away easily from the head. This typically takes about 2-3 minutes per layer.
    • Once the leaves are pliable, carefully remove them with tongs and set aside 12 large leaves for the rolls.
  2. Make the Filling:
    • In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, 1/2 cup of the tomato sauce, chopped onion, uncooked rice, parsley flakes, salt, dill, and cayenne pepper.
    • Mix until all ingredients are well incorporated.
    • Tips for Perfect Stuffed Cabbage Rolls:
    • Rice: Using uncooked rice is traditional, as it will cook and absorb the flavors from the meat and sauce. However, if you prefer, you can use cooked rice to speed up the cooking process slightly.
    • Meat Mixture: Feel free to experiment with the meat mixture. You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version or add some ground lamb for a richer flavor.
    • Sauce Variation: For a tangier sauce, add a splash of vinegar or a squeeze of lemon juice to the tomato mixture before pouring it over the rolls.
    • enjoy!

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