Classic Cabbage Rolls with Ground Meat and Rice Recipe
Classic cabbage rolls made by wrapping a savory mixture of ground meat and rice in tender cabbage leaves, then simmered in a flavorful tomato sauce until perfectly cooked and tender. A comforting and hearty dish enjoyed in many cuisines.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Eastern European
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cabbage Rolls:
- 1 large head of cabbage
- 1 lb ground meat (beef, pork, or a combination)
- 1 cup uncooked rice
- 1 egg (optional, for binding)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Sauce:
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 1 cup water or broth
- 1 tbsp sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp cooking oil (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cabbage Leaves: Core the cabbage and gently separate the leaves. Blanch the leaves in boiling water for 2-3 minutes to soften, then drain and set aside to cool.
- Make the Filling: In a bowl, combine the ground meat, uncooked rice, chopped onion, egg (if using), salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until well combined.
- Assemble the Rolls: Place a spoonful of the filling onto each cabbage leaf and carefully roll it up, tucking in the sides to secure the filling inside.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a pot or deep skillet, mix tomato sauce, water or broth, sugar, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- Cook the Cabbage Rolls: Arrange the stuffed cabbage rolls seam side down in the simmering sauce. Cover and simmer gently over low heat for 45-60 minutes until the cabbage is tender and the filling is cooked through.
Notes
- To prevent the rolls from unrolling, secure with toothpicks if necessary.
- The uncooked rice inside will absorb liquid and cook during simmering.
- You can use pre-cooked rice if preferred; adjust simmering time accordingly.
- Add herbs like dill or parsley to the filling for extra flavor.
- This dish can also be baked in the oven covered with sauce for 1 hour at 350°F as an alternative cooking method.
Keywords: cabbage rolls, stuffed cabbage, ground meat recipe, comfort food, Eastern European dish
