Description
These Italian Stuffed Cabbage Rolls are a comforting, hearty meal filled with seasoned ground beef, rice, and aromatic herbs. Baked in a flavorful tomato sauce and served with fresh parsley, they bring a delicious Mediterranean twist to a classic dish.
Ingredients
-
For the Filling:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 small onion (finely chopped)
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 egg (lightly beaten)
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp dried basil
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
For the Rolls:
- 12 large cabbage leaves
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- ½ cup beef broth
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
-
Prepare the Cabbage:
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Carefully blanch the cabbage leaves for 2–3 minutes until soft. Remove and pat dry. -
Make the Filling:
In a large bowl, combine ground beef, cooked rice, onion, garlic, egg, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined. -
Assemble the Rolls:
Place a generous spoonful of the filling onto each cabbage leaf. Fold the sides over the filling and roll tightly. Secure with a toothpick if needed. -
Prepare the Sauce:
In a baking dish, spread a layer of tomato sauce and drizzle with olive oil. Place the cabbage rolls seam-side down. Pour the beef broth over the rolls and top with the remaining tomato sauce. -
Bake:
Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 45 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes. -
Garnish and Serve:
Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving. Enjoy these hearty rolls with crusty bread or a simple green salad.
Notes
- For a lighter version, you can substitute ground turkey or chicken for the beef.
- You can also make the cabbage rolls ahead of time and refrigerate or freeze them before baking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 50mg