Old-Fashioned Cabbage Rolls
"Indulge in the comforting flavors of old-fashioned cabbage rolls, filled with a savory mixture of ground beef, rice, and herbs, all wrapped in tender cabbage leaves and baked to perfection. This classic dish is sure to become a family favorite!"
Equipment
- - Large mixing bowl
- - Deep 9x13-inch baking dish or roasting pan
- - Aluminum foil
Ingredients
- 1 cup cooked long-grain rice about 1/3 cup uncooked rice
- 1.5 pounds lean ground beef
- 1.5 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 large egg
- 1 yellow onion minced
- 1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1.5 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried dill
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon red chili flakes optional
- 3 13.5-ounce cans tomato sauce, divided
- 1 medium head green cabbage
- 1/2 cup water from boiling cabbage
- Chopped fresh dill for garnish optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Cook rice according to package instructions and set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, egg, cooked rice, minced onion, parsley, garlic, salt, black pepper, dill, onion powder, red chili flakes (if using), and 1/2 cup of tomato sauce. Mix until well combined and set aside.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the head of cabbage and boil for 8 to 10 minutes, partially covered. Carefully remove the cabbage and set aside. Reserve 1/2 cup of the water for later use.
- Once the cabbage is cool enough to handle, carefully remove leaves and cut out the core from each leaf. If needed, return the remaining cabbage to the boiling water to soften more leaves.
- Place some cabbage leaves on the bottom of a deep 9x13-inch baking dish.
- To assemble the cabbage rolls, place about 1/4 cup of the ground beef mixture on each cabbage leaf and roll up, tucking in the sides. Place the rolls seam side down in the prepared baking dish.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the remaining tomato sauce and the reserved 1/2 cup of cabbage water. Pour the sauce over the cabbage rolls and top with more cabbage leaves.
- Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 2 hours and 15 minutes to 2 hours and 30 minutes, or until the cabbage rolls are fully cooked through.
- Once done, carefully remove the foil and discard the top cabbage leaves. Let the cabbage rolls cool for about 20 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh dill, if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
"These Old-Fashioned Cabbage Rolls are a labor of love, but the end result is well worth the effort. Follow the step-by-step instructions to create deliciously tender cabbage rolls, perfect for a cozy family dinner."