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Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

Stuffed cabbage rolls are one of those dishes that feel like a labor of love, and while they may look fancy on the plate, the recipe itself is surprisingly simple and approachable. The combination of tender cabbage leaves wrapped around a flavorful filling, simmered in a tangy, rich sauce, makes each bite comforting and satisfying.
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Course: Appetizer, Dinner, Lunch, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

Tomato Sauce:
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 cup yellow onion finely chopped
  • 1 tsp garlic minced
  • 1 tsp crushed red pepper
  • 28 oz fire roasted tomatoes undrained
  • 15 oz tomato sauce
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • Salt and pepper to taste
Cabbage Rolls:
  • 2 lbs ground beef 80/20
  • 1 1/2 cups cooked white rice
  • 1/2 cup yellow onion finely chopped
  • 2 tsp garlic minced
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley minced
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 head cabbage
  • Cooking spray

Method
 

Make the sauce:
  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté onion until translucent, 3-4 minutes. Add garlic and crushed red pepper, stir 1 minute.
  2. Stir in fire roasted tomatoes, tomato sauce, salt, pepper, brown sugar, and red wine vinegar. Simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Prepare cabbage:
  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Submerge cabbage head and cook 7–8 minutes until leaves are pliable. Remove and cool slightly. Peel 12 large leaves and trim thick ribs.
Make filling:
  1. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, rice, onion, garlic, salt, pepper, cumin, Italian seasoning, parsley, and eggs. Mix well with hands.
Assemble rolls:
  1. Place a portion of meat mixture in the center of a cabbage leaf. Roll like a burrito, tucking in the sides. Repeat with remaining leaves and filling.
  2. Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Spread half the tomato sauce on the bottom. Arrange rolls seam-side down and top with remaining sauce.
  3. Cover with foil and bake 90 minutes, until cabbage is tender. Serve warm and garnish as desired.
  4. Enjoy!