Tender cabbage leaves filled with a flavorful mixture of rice and seasoned meat, simmered slowly in a rich tomato sauce until perfectly tender. This comforting dish is a beloved favorite in kitchens around the world — hearty, homey, and made with love.
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🍅 Ingredients
For the Cabbage Rolls:
1 large head of green cabbage
1 lb (450 g) ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup cooked rice (or slightly undercooked for firmer texture)
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
½ tsp paprika
1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
For the Tomato Sauce:
1 tbsp olive oil or butter
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (15 oz / 425 g) can tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 cup beef or chicken broth
1 tsp sugar (balances the acidity)
Salt and pepper to taste
½ tsp dried oregano or thyme (optional)
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🧑🍳 Instructions
1. Prepare the Cabbage Leaves
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
2. Remove the core from the cabbage and place the whole head in the pot.
3. As the outer leaves soften (after 1–2 minutes), gently remove them and set aside. Continue until you have about 12–14 large leaves.
4. Trim the thick vein at the base of each leaf to make rolling easier.
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2. Make the Filling
1. In a large bowl, combine ground meat, cooked rice, onion, garlic, egg, salt, pepper, paprika, and parsley.
2. Mix gently until just combined — do not overmix or the filling will be dense.
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3. Prepare the Sauce
1. Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
2. Sauté onion and garlic until fragrant and lightly golden.
3. Add
Delicious Homemade Stuffed Cabbage Rolls – A Comfort Classic! 🥬🍅💛
