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Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

Tender cabbage leaves filled with a savory mixture of beef and rice, all smothered in a tangy tomato sauce.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Eastern European
Calories: 300

Ingredients
  

Cabbage and Filling
  • 1 large head cabbage
  • 1 pound ground beef (or Halal-friendly meat of your choice) Use Halal-certified meat to comply with dietary regulations.
  • 1 cup cooked rice
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Fill a large pot with water, bring it to a boil, and carefully add the entire head of cabbage. Allow it to boil for about 5-7 minutes, or until the outer leaves are tender enough to peel off.
  2. Gently remove the cabbage leaves using tongs, and place them on a clean kitchen towel to cool.
Make the Filling
  1. In a pan, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the chopped onion and minced garlic until fragrant and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the cooked rice, sautéed onion and garlic, ground beef, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix everything thoroughly until well combined.
Roll the Cabbage
  1. Take a cabbage leaf and place about 2-3 tablespoons of the filling at the base of the leaf. Fold the sides over the filling and then roll it up tightly. Secure with a toothpick if necessary.
  2. Keep rolling until you have used all the filling or leaves.
Cook in Sauce
  1. In a large baking dish, pour in the tomato sauce and diced tomatoes. Place the cabbage rolls seam-side down in the sauce.
  2. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 45 minutes. Remove the foil for the last 15 minutes to allow the rolls to brown slightly on top.

Notes

Make sure the filling is not too watery; drain any excess liquid from the cooked rice or meat before mixing. Cabbage can be boiled a day in advance to save time, refrigerate the leaves until you’re ready to assemble.