Real Recipes From Real Home Cooks ®

italian sausage chard rolls

Recipe by
Tammy Brownlow
Dallas, TX

I was in the mood for cabbage rolls, but I didn't have any cabbage. I always have plenty of chard in the garden though. While I was contemplating the recipe - I decided why not try something new using Italian sausage, and home made stewed tomatoes and sauce. It does take some preparation time, but the results are well worth the effort. This is going to be a new favorite in our home - they were delicious with creamy mashed potatoes.

yield serving(s)
prep time 30 Min
cook time 1 Hr
method Bake

Ingredients For italian sausage chard rolls

  • 1/3 c
    long grain rice, uncooked
  • 1 lb
    italian pork sausage, without casing
  • 1/2 c
    finely minced onion
  • 1/2 c
    finely minced bell pepper
  • 1
    egg
  • 1 bunch
    chard leaves, stems removed
  • 1 1/2 c
    stewed tomatoes, i used some i made this summer and froze, but canned will work
  • 2 c
    fresh tomato sauce with italian seasonings, your favorite canned pasta sauce will work as well
  • 1/8 c
    freshly grated parmasean cheese

How To Make italian sausage chard rolls

  • 1
    In a small sauce pan add rice and 2/3 cup of water. Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce heat to simmering. Cook until rice is cooked about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool to warm before adding to filling.
  • 2
    While rice is cooking bring water to a boil in a large stock pot. Submerge chard in batches and cook until wilted. Don't walk away - this process is really quick- just a stir or two. Remove from pot and drain excess water. Don't squeeze, just lay leaves out over a strainer or screen.
  • 3
    In a medium mixing bowl combine italian sausage, onion, bell pepper, cooled rice, and egg. Mix to combine. Italian sausage is well seasoned so I don't add additional seasoning to the filling.
  • 4
    In a separate mixing bowl combine stewed tomatoes and tomato sauce.
  • 5
    Now you are ready to assemble the rolls. Ladle 1/3 of the sauce mixture into your baking dish.
  • 6
    Lay chard on cutting board. Depending on the leaves, you may use one or two - just make sure it will cover your filling.
  • 7
    Measure about 3 to 4 tablespoons of filling onto chard.
  • 8
    Wrap chard around filling in opposite directions.
  • 9
    Tuck sides under.
  • 10
    Place on sauce in baking dish.
  • 11
    Finish assembling rolls and top with sauce. Cover with foil and bake at 350 until done about an hour. I verify with a food thermometer in the center of the pan.
  • 12
    These are excellent served with mashed potatoes, with additional sauce ladled over the top. Enjoy
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