Description
A comforting dish that combines the heartiness of stuffed cabbage with classic Italian flavors. These rolls are filled with a delicious mixture of beef, rice, and Parmesan, then simmered in marinara sauce for a rich and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 large green cabbage
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Carefully remove whole leaves from the cabbage.
- Blanch the leaves in boiling water for 2-3 minutes until softened. Drain and let cool.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, cooked rice, onion, garlic, Parmesan cheese, tomato sauce, egg, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Lay a cabbage leaf flat and place a spoonful of the meat mixture in the center.
- Fold in the sides and roll tightly, ensuring the filling is enclosed. Repeat with remaining leaves and filling.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the cabbage rolls seam-side down and lightly brown them on all sides.
- Pour marinara sauce and water over the cabbage rolls.
- Cover and let them simmer on low heat for 30-40 minutes until fully cooked and tender.
- Serve hot, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh basil if desired.
Notes
- Swap ground beef for turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
- For a vegetarian version, use mushrooms, lentils, and quinoa instead of meat.
- Add red pepper flakes for a bit of heat.
- These rolls freeze well for up to 3 months—reheat when needed.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes