Ah, Cabbage Rolls in Tomato Sauce 🥬🍅—a comforting, classic dish where tender cabbage leaves wrap a savory filling of meat, rice, and seasonings, all baked in a rich tomato sauce. Here’s a detailed recipe:
🥬 Classic Cabbage Rolls in Tomato Sauce
Serves 6–8
Ingredients
For the Rolls
- 1 large head of cabbage
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef or a mix of beef & pork
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp paprika (optional)
For the Sauce
- 2 cups tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (8 oz) tomato paste
- 1 cup water or beef broth
- 1 tsp sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
- 1 tsp dried oregano or Italian seasoning
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Prepare the cabbage
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
- Core the cabbage and carefully peel off large, intact leaves.
- Blanch leaves in boiling water 2–3 minutes until softened. Drain and cool.
- Trim thick veins from the bottom of each leaf so they’re easier to roll.
2. Make the filling
- In a large bowl, combine ground meat, cooked rice, chopped onion, garlic, egg, salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Mix until well incorporated.
3. Roll the cabbage
- Place 2–3 tbsp filling near the base of each leaf.
- Fold sides over the filling and roll tightly from the base to the tip.
4. Make the sauce
- In a saucepan, combine tomato sauce, tomato paste, water or broth, sugar, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer 5–10 minutes until slightly thickened.
5. Assemble and bake
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Pour a thin layer of tomato sauce in the bottom of a baking dish.
- Place cabbage rolls seam-side down in the dish.
- Pour remaining sauce over the rolls.
- Cover with foil and bake 45–60 minutes until meat is cooked and cabbage is tender.
🔥 Tips for Perfect Cabbage Rolls
- Soft cabbage: Blanch leaves well to make rolling easier and prevent tearing.
- Seasoning: Taste the filling before rolling—add herbs or spices to your liking.
- Extra flavor: Fry onions and garlic before mixing with meat for a richer taste.
- Make ahead: Assemble rolls a day in advance; flavors deepen when baked the next day.
Variations
- Polish style (Gołąbki): Add a little bacon or smoked meat to the filling, serve with a tangy tomato sauce.
- Vegetarian: Use lentils, mushrooms, and rice for a hearty meatless version.
- Sweet & sour: Add a splash of vinegar and a little sugar to the tomato sauce for a tangy twist.
If you want, I can give you a restaurant-style, ultra-tender cabbage roll recipe where the meat is perfectly seasoned, the cabbage melts in your mouth, and the tomato sauce is rich and flavorful 🥬🍅✨.
Do you want me to do that?
