Description
Classic Italian Stuffed Cabbage Rolls are a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender cabbage leaves filled with a savory mixture of ground beef, rice, and aromatic seasonings, baked in a rich marinara sauce. Perfect for a hearty family meal, these rolls combine traditional Italian spices with a wholesome balance of protein and carbs.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cabbage Rolls
- 1 large head of cabbage
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Sauce
- 2 cups marinara sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the stuffed cabbage rolls.
- Prepare the Cabbage Leaves: Boil the whole head of cabbage in salted water for 5 minutes to soften the leaves, making them pliable for rolling.
- Make the Filling: In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, cooked rice, chopped onion, minced garlic, egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly to evenly distribute the ingredients.
- Assemble the Rolls: Carefully remove softened cabbage leaves one by one. Place a spoonful of the meat mixture in the center of each leaf, then roll tightly while tucking in the sides to secure the filling.
- Arrange in Baking Dish: Place each cabbage roll seam-side down in a baking dish to prevent them from unrolling during baking.
- Add Sauce: Pour 2 cups of marinara sauce evenly over the assembled cabbage rolls, coating them generously.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes until the meat is fully cooked and the flavors meld beautifully.
Notes
- Boiling the cabbage briefly softens the leaves, making rolling easier and preventing cracking.
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or pork for a different flavor and texture.
- Use fresh marinara sauce or your favorite store-bought variety for convenience.
- For extra flavor, consider adding grated Parmesan cheese on top in the last 10 minutes of baking.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently in the oven or microwave.
