Homemade st￭ cabbage rolls are a heartwarming dish that brings comfort to the dinner table. With their tender cabbage leaves wrapped around a savory filling, these rolls are a staple in many cuisines, especially within Eastern European traditions. This recipe provides everything you need to create delicious homemade st￭ cabbage rolls that your family will love, making it perfect for family gatherings or cozy dinners at home.
Ingredients
Scale:
1 large head of green cabbage, preferably organic
1 pound ground beef (or substitute with ground turkey or chicken)
1 cup cooked rice (white or brown)
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon paprika (smoked is preferred)
1 large egg, beaten
Salt and pepper to taste
1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes
2 tablespoons brown sugar (optional)
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Carefully remove the core from the cabbage and place the whole head into the boiling water for about 2-3 minutes until the outer leaves are tender. Remove from water and gently peel off the outer leaves until you have about 12 good leaves.
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, cooked rice, chopped onion, minced garlic, thyme, paprika, beaten egg, and season with salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly until well combined.
Take one cabbage leaf, place about 2-3 tablespoons of the filling at the base, fold in the sides, and roll it up tightly. Repeat with the remaining leaves and filling.
In a medium bowl, mix together the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread a thin layer of the tomato sauce on the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Place the st￭ cabbage rolls seam-side down in a single layer in the dish. Pour the remaining sauce over the top.
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 1 hour. After 1 hour, remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until the sauce is bubbly and the rolls are cooked through.
