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Cozy Traditional Eastern European Cabbage Rolls Recipe

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A hearty and comforting traditional Eastern European dish featuring tender cabbage leaves stuffed with seasoned ground meat and rice, simmered in a rich tomato sauce. Perfect for family meals, potlucks, and cozy dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 medium head of green cabbage (about 2–3 lbs), leaves separated and blanched
  • 1 lb (450 g) ground beef or a mix of beef and pork
  • 1 cup (200 g) long-grain white rice, rinsed
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tsp paprika (optional)
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (about 2 tbsp)
  • 2 cups (480 ml) canned crushed tomatoes or passata
  • 1 cup (240 ml) beef or vegetable broth
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tbsp olive oil or vegetable oil
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Optional: a splash of vinegar or lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Remove the core from the cabbage and carefully peel off about 12 large outer leaves. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then blanch the leaves for 2-3 minutes until pliable. Drain and set aside on a clean towel to cool. If leaves are thick at the base, gently shave some of the thickened vein to make rolling easier.
  2. In a small pot, cook the rice in salted water until it’s about 70% done. Drain and let cool slightly.
  3. In a mixing bowl, combine ground meat, cooked rice, chopped onion, minced garlic, beaten egg, paprika, salt, pepper, and parsley. Mix gently but thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
  4. Lay a cabbage leaf flat and place about 2 tablespoons (30 g) of filling near the base. Fold the sides over the filling and roll up tightly. Repeat until all filling and leaves are used. Chop any leftover leaves and add to the tomato sauce for extra flavor.
  5. In a Dutch oven or deep skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add tomato paste and stir for 1 minute. Pour in crushed tomatoes, broth, sugar, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Stir and bring to a gentle simmer.
  6. Carefully place cabbage rolls seam-side down into the sauce, packing them snugly but without squishing. Cover with a lid and simmer gently over low heat for 60-75 minutes. Check occasionally and add a splash of water if needed.
  7. Once cooked, remove from heat and let rest for 10 minutes. Remove bay leaf before serving.

Notes

Use firm cabbage leaves that won’t tear when rolled. For a lighter option, swap ground beef with turkey or chicken. Vegetarian versions can use cooked lentils and mushrooms instead of meat. Blanch cabbage leaves just enough to soften but not mushy. Prepare rolls ahead and refrigerate overnight for better flavor. Keep simmering gentle to avoid breaking rolls.

Nutrition

Keywords: cabbage rolls, Eastern European, traditional recipe, comfort food, ground beef, rice, tomato sauce, homemade meal

Find it online: https://evabake.com/cozy-traditional-eastern-european-cabbage-rolls-recipe-easy-homemade-meal/