Stuffed Cabbages Rolls

Here’s a classic recipe for Stuffed Cabbage Rolls:

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Ingredients

For the Cabbage Rolls:

• 1 large head of green cabbage
• 1 lb (450g) ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
• 1 cup cooked white rice
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (optional)

For the Tomato Sauce:

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (15 oz/400g) crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup tomato sauce or passata
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup beef broth or water

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Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Cabbage

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Core the cabbage by cutting out the hard stem at the base.
2. Place the cabbage in the boiling water and cook for 3–5 minutes, carefully peeling off the outer leaves as they soften. You’ll need about 12–14 large leaves. Set them aside to cool.
3. Trim the thick stem from each leaf to make them easier to roll (you can thin them out with a knife or cut a V-shape to remove the thick part).

Step 2: Make the Filling

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, cooked rice, diced onion, minced garlic, egg, parsley, salt, pepper, and paprika. Mix until just combined.

Step 3: Assemble the Cabbage Rolls

1. Lay a cabbage leaf flat. Place 2–3 tablespoons of the filling near the base of the leaf.
2. Fold the sides of the leaf inward, then roll it up tightly like a burrito. Repeat with the remaining leaves and filling.

Step 4: Prepare the Tomato Sauce

1. Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Sauté the onion and garlic until soft and fragrant, about 3 minutes.
2. Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, sugar, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Stir and simmer for 10 minutes. Add the beef broth or water to thin the sauce slightly.

Step 5: Cook the Cabbage Rolls

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce in the bottom of a large baking dish.
3. Arrange the cabbage rolls seam-side down in the dish. Pour the remaining sauce over the rolls, ensuring they are well-covered.
4. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 1.5 hours, or until the cabbage is tender and the filling is cooked through.

Step 6: Serve

• Serve the stuffed cabbage rolls hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired. They pair beautifully with crusty bread or a side of mashed potatoes.