Are you ready to transport your taste buds to a world of hearty, soul-warming cuisine? Mary Lou's Cabbage Rolls are not just a recipe; they're a culinary journey that promises to wrap you in a warm embrace of flavor and tradition. These delectable parcels of tender cabbage, packed with seasoned ground beef and rice, have been delighting families for generations. Whether you're seeking a nostalgic comfort food or wanting to impress your dinner guests with an authentic Eastern European dish, these cabbage rolls are about to become your new obsession!
Prep Time: 30 mins
Cook Time: 1 hrs
Total Time: 1 hrs 30 mins
Cuisine: Eastern European
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- Cabbage leaves
- Ground beef
- Rice
- Onion
- Tomato sauce
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic
Instructions
- Carefully core the cabbage and blanch the leaves in boiling water until they become soft and pliable, about 3-5 minutes. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, uncooked rice, finely diced onion, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until well integrated.
- Take each cabbage leaf and place a generous spoonful of the meat mixture near the stem end. Fold in the sides and roll tightly, creating a compact cabbage roll.
- Arrange the rolled cabbage rolls seam-side down in a large baking dish or Dutch oven.
- Pour tomato sauce evenly over the cabbage rolls, ensuring each roll is partially covered.
- Cover the baking dish with a tight-fitting lid or aluminum foil.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for approximately 1 hour, or until the meat is fully cooked and rice is tender.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and rolls to set.
- Serve hot, optionally garnished with fresh parsley or a dollop of sour cream.
Tips
- Choose Fresh Cabbage: Select a large, firm cabbage head with pliable leaves for easier rolling.
- Blanching Technique: Don't overcook cabbage leaves during blanching - they should be soft but not falling apart.
- Meat Mixture Matters: Mix the beef and rice thoroughly to ensure even seasoning and texture.
- Roll Tightly: Fold sides in before rolling to prevent filling from escaping during cooking.
- Sauce Coverage: Ensure cabbage rolls are partially covered with tomato sauce for optimal moisture.
- Resting Time: Let rolls rest 10 minutes after baking to allow flavors to meld and filling to set.
- Make Ahead Friendly: These cabbage rolls taste even better the next day, so don't hesitate to prepare in advance!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: mg
