Cabbage rolls are a comforting and hearty dish that combines tender cabbage leaves with a flavorful filling, often made from ground beef and rice.
This recipe brings together a delightful mix of ingredients, including aromatic herbs and spices, all simmered in a rich tomato sauce.
Perfect for family dinners or meal prep, cabbage rolls are not only delicious but also versatile, allowing you to customize the filling to suit your taste.
Ingredients
1 cup COOKED long-grain rice (or similar variety)
1.5 pounds lean ground beef (or ‘extra lean’)
1.5 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 large egg
1 yellow onion , peeled and minced
⅓ cup parsley , roughly chopped
3 cloves garlic , minced
1.5 teaspoons salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon dried dill
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ to 1 teaspoon red chili flakes (optional)
42 ounces tomato sauce , divided (Three 398 millilitre cans or 14 ounce cans (roughly 5 cups).
See point 5 below in recipe ‘Notes.’)
1 medium head green cabbage (you’ll need about 18 leaves for the rolls and another 8 to 10 or so for the bottom of the dish and over top.)
half cup of water (leftover from boiling cabbage)
fresh dill , chopped (garnish, optional)
Directions
Cook rice per package instructions and lay to one side. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit at this point too.
In a large bowl combine ground beef with Worcestershire sauce, egg, cooked rice, onion, parsley, garlic, salt, pepper, dill, onion powder, red chili flakes (if using) and ½ cup of tomato sauce. Mix until combined.
In a large point of boiling water, add head of cabbage and boil for 8 to 10 minutes (carefully turn over partway through).
Carefully remove. Don’t discard water because you will need to re-boil the cabbage as you start to peel off the leaves and you will need some of the water for your sauce.
Here are some variations you can try for your cabbage rolls:
Different Meats: Instead of lean ground beef, you can use ground turkey, chicken, or pork for a lighter option.
Grain Alternatives: Swap out the long-grain rice for quinoa, barley, or even cauliflower rice for a low-carb version.
Vegetarian Option: Use a mixture of lentils, mushrooms, and chopped vegetables as a filling instead of meat.
Spice it Up: Add different spices like cumin, paprika, or smoked paprika for a unique flavor profile.
Cheese Filling: Mix in some shredded cheese like mozzarella or feta into the filling for added creaminess.
Sauce Variations: Instead of tomato sauce, you can use a mix of cream of mushroom soup or a spicy salsa for a different taste.
Herb Variations: Experiment with different herbs such as thyme, basil, or oregano to change the flavor.
Note:
Don’t fill pot all the way up because the cabbage will displace some of the water. Before boiling water, test how much the water will displace by placing the head of cabbage in the pot.
Once cabbage is cool enough to handle, carefully remove leaves and cut out core from each leaf. Once you start taking leaves off, you’ll likely need to add the cabbage back to the boiling water (to soften more leaves).
Just boil for another bit, let cool enough to handle and continue removing leaves.
Place some cabbage leaves on the bottom of a deep 9″ x 13″ baking dish or roasting pan.