Description
Old Fashioned Cabbage Stuffers are a classic comfort food featuring tender cabbage wrapped around a savory ground beef and rice filling, all smothered in a rich tomato sauce. Perfect for family dinners or special occasions, this hearty dish is sure to please everyone.
Ingredients
For the Tomato Sauce:
½ yellow onion, finely diced
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp crushed red pepper
28 ounces fire-roasted tomatoes (canned)
15 ounces tomato sauce
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp vinegar
For the Cabbage Rolls:
2 pounds lean ground beef
1 ½ cups cooked white rice
½ cup finely diced yellow onion
2 tsp minced garlic
½ tsp pepper
1 tsp salt
1 tsp Italian seasoning
¼ cup parsley, freshly chopped
2 eggs
1 small head of cabbage
Instructions
For the Tomato Sauce:
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Heat oil: Warm olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
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Cook the onion: Add diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes, until soft and translucent.
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Add garlic and seasoning: Stir in minced garlic and crushed red pepper; cook for 1 more minute.
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Add tomatoes and sauce: Mix in fire-roasted tomatoes, tomato sauce, salt, and pepper. Cook for 5 minutes.
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Add sugar and vinegar: Stir in brown sugar and vinegar, bring to a simmer, and cook for 15 minutes.
For the Cabbage Rolls:
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Prepare the cabbage: Bring a large pot of water to a simmer. Carefully lower the cabbage head into the water and cook for 7-8 minutes, until the leaves soften.
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Peel the leaves: Remove cabbage from the water, let it cool, then peel off 12 leaves.
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Prepare the filling: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, cooked rice, diced onion, minced garlic, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, parsley, and eggs. Mix well.
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Shape the rolls: Lay cabbage leaves flat, cut off the thick stem portion, and place a portion of the meat mixture in the center. Roll up the leaves, folding in the sides.
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Prepare the pan: Pour half of the tomato sauce into a 9×13-inch baking dish.
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Arrange the rolls: Place the cabbage rolls seam side down in the pan.
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Top with sauce: Pour the remaining tomato sauce over the rolls, ensuring they are well-covered.
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Cover and bake: Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 60 minutes, until the cabbage is tender and the filling is cooked.
Serving:
Once baked, let the cabbage rolls cool slightly before serving. Serve hot with a side of crusty bread or mashed potatoes for a hearty meal.
Notes
Make sure the rolls are tightly packed for even cooking.
Feel free to experiment with the type of cabbage used, but green cabbage is traditionally preferred.
These rolls are delicious with a side of sautéed greens or a light salad.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Comfort Food