Italian stuffed cabbage rolls

 

Italian Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

A comforting and flavorful dish with a rich tomato sauce and a delicious meat filling!

Ingredients:

For the Cabbage Rolls:

• 1 large cabbage (green or Savoy)
• 500g (1 lb) ground beef (or a mix of beef & pork)
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 egg
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• Salt & pepper (to taste)

For the Sauce:

• 2 cups tomato passata (or crushed tomatoes)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
• 1 tsp sugar (to balance acidity)
• Salt & pepper (to taste)
• 1 tsp dried Italian herbs (or fresh basil)

---

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Cabbage Leaves:

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
2. Remove the outer leaves of the cabbage, then carefully peel off 10-12 whole leaves.
3. Boil the leaves for 2-3 minutes until softened. Drain and set aside.

2. Make the Filling:

1. In a bowl, mix ground meat, cooked rice, egg, Parmesan, onion, garlic, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.
2. Stir until well combined.

3. Roll the Cabbage Rolls:

1. Place 2 tbsp of filling in the center of each cabbage leaf.
2. Fold in the sides and roll tightly. Secure with toothpicks if needed.

4. Cook the Tomato Sauce:

1. Heat olive oil in a pan, add garlic, and sauté for 30 seconds.
2. Pour in tomato passata, add red pepper flakes, sugar, salt, and Italian herbs. Simmer for 10 minutes.

5. Simmer the Cabbage Rolls:

1. Place the cabbage rolls seam-side down in the sauce.
2. Cover and let them simmer on low heat for 40 minutes, spooning sauce over them occasionally.

6. Serve & Enjoy!

• Garnish with extra Parmesan and fresh basil.
• Serve with crusty bread or a side of roasted vegetables.

Would you like a cheesy variation or a vegetarian version with lentils or mushrooms?