stuffed cabbage rolls

42 Pinches 1 Photo
Surrey South, BC
Updated on Sep 22, 2022

This isn’t your Grandma’s recipe. Tender, moist and flavorful, these are a tasty comfort food to enjoy this season.

prep time 15 Min
cook time 1 Hr 30 Min
method Bake
yield 14 rolls

Ingredients

  • 1 large head green cabbage (substitute savoy), about 3 lbs. and cored removed
  • SAUCE
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 cup yellow onions, chopped
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground himalayan sea salt, or to taste and divided
  • 3 large cloves garlic, pressed
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 can (28 oz.) san marzano tomatoes, crushed
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 can (14 oz.) tomato sauce
  • 1 tablespoon italian seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar, or more to taste
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste (i always use mixed peppercorns)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
  • FILLING
  • 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
  • 1/2 pound hot italian sausage, casing removed
  • 1/2 cup yellow onions, finely chopped
  • 1 large clove garlic, pressed
  • 1/3 cup seasoned panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/3 cup uncooked long grain rice such as basmati
  • 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley, divided
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground himalayan sea salt, or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste (i always use mixed peppercorns)
  • 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated

How To Make stuffed cabbage rolls

  • Step 1
    Add the head of cabbage to a pot of boiling water, cover, reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 10 minutes.
  • Step 2
    Meanwhile, in a large pot over medium heat, heat oil. Add onions and season with some ground sea salt; sauté for about 3 minutes. Add pressed garlic and sauté for 1 minute. Add tomato paste and stir to coat.
  • Step 3
    Add crushed tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning and brown sugar. Stir until the ingredients are well combined and then taste and adjust if necessary just to check on the acidity; add more brown sugar if needed. Season with freshly ground black pepper and add parsley; stir well.
  • Step 4
    Cover and turn the heat to medium-high. As soon as it starts bubbling, reduce to medium-low and let it simmer gently for 20 minutes; uncovered after a few minutes.
  • Step 5
    After 10 minutes, carefully remove cabbage from the water and transfer to a baking sheet. Peel off the leaves using tongs and transfer them to another baking sheet lined with paper towel to absorb any excess water.
  • Step 6
    To make the filling… In a large bowl, combine lean ground beef, hot Italian sausage, onions, garlic, breadcrumbs, uncooked rice, 1 ½ tablespoons chopped parsley, salt and black pepper.
  • Step 7
    With clean hands, mix until the meat mixture is evenly distributed.
  • Step 8
    Preheat oven to 350ºF.
  • Step 9
    In a large 5-quart baking dish lightly greased, spoon in about 1 ½ cups tomato sauce just enough to cover the bottom; set aside.
  • Step 10
    Using a paring knife, remove the thick center stem from each leaf and place a good amount of meat mixture at the base forming it into an oblong shape. Take one side and fold it over before doing the same with the other side. Tuck in the sides and roll it up to the end.
  • Step 11
    Place them in the prepared baking dish seam side down. Spoon the rest of the tomato sauce over the stuffed cabbage covering them. Sprinkle on some Parmesan cheese and cover the dish with foil.
  • Step 12
    Transfer to the preheated oven and bake for 1 hour or until the meat and rice are cooked.
  • Step 13
    We’ll remove from the heat and sprinkle on the remaining ½ tablespoon of chopped parsley before serving.
  • Step 14
    To view this recipe on YouTube, click on this link >>> https://youtu.be/lcL9eoLYBA8

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