Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

Prep Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 1 hour Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins

Serves: 6

An old classic of cabbage leaves, stuffed with a beef-rice recipe, covered in tomato sauce and baked to perfection.

INGREDIENTS:

For the tomato sauce:

• 2 Tbsp butter

• 1/2 cup onion, finely chopped

• 1 tsp garlic, minced

• 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes (do not drain)

• 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce

• salt and pepper to taste

• 2 Tbsp brown sugar

• 1 Tbsp red wine vinegar

For the cabbage rolls:

• 1 pound ground beef I use 85-90% lean

• 1 cup cooked Basmati rice

• 1/2 cup onion, finely chopped

• 1 teaspoon garlic, minced

• 1 teaspoon kosher sea salt

• 1/2 teaspoon pepper, freshly ground

• 1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves chopped, divided use

• 1 egg

• 1 head cabbage

• cooking spray

DIRECTIONS:

1. For the tomato sauce: Melt the butter in a Dutch Oven over medium-heat. Add the onion and cook (4-5 mins) or until translucent.

2. Add the garlic and cook (30 sec). Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, salt and pepper to the Dutch Oven.

3. Stir in the brown sugar, red wine vinegar and bring to a simmer.

4. Cook (10-15 mins), stirring occasionally.

5. While the sauce is simmering, assemble the cabbage rolls. Bring a large pot of water to a boil.

6. Immerse the cabbage head in the boiling water. Cook (3-5 mins) or until cabbage leaves are pliable. Peel 12 large leaves off the cabbage.

7. Place the ground beef, rice, onion, garlic, salt, pepper, 2 Tbsp parsley and egg in a bowl. Add 1/2 cup of the tomato sauce to the bowl. Stir to combine.

8. Lay each cabbage leaf on a flat surface. Use a small knife to cut a V-shaped notch to remove the thick part of the cabbage rib.

9. Shape 1/3 of a cup of the meat mixture into a log shape and place in the center of a cabbage leaf. Roll the cabbage leaf around the meat mixture. Repeat with remaining meat and cabbage leaves.

10. Preheat the oven to 350° F.

11. Coat a 9"x13" baking dish with cooking spray. Place 1/2 of the tomato sauce in the bottom of the baking dish. Place the cabbage rolls, seam side down, in the dish. Top with remaining sauce.

12. Cover with foil. Bake (60-90 mins) or until cabbage is tender and meat is cooked through.

13. Sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons of parsley to garnish, then serve.

14. Serve with a side of mashed potatoes or some green vegetable (i.e., broccoli)

Things you'll need for this recipe: