Introduction: Prepare to tantalize your taste buds with a culinary masterpiece – Stuffed Cabbage Rolls. This timeless dish combines tender cabbage leaves enfolding a savory filling, bathed in a rich tomato sauce, delivering a symphony of flavors with every bite. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or an aspiring home cook, let’s embark on a journey to create this gastronomic delight together.

Ingredients: For the Cabbage Rolls:

  • 1 large head of cabbage
  • 1 lb ground beef (or turkey for a leaner option)
  • 1 cup cooked rice (or cauliflower rice for a keto-friendly alternative)
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (or almond flour for a gluten-free version)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

For the Tomato Sauce:

  • 2 cups tomato sauce
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Start by preparing the cabbage leaves. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Carefully remove the core from the cabbage and place the whole head in the boiling water. Allow it to cook for 5-7 minutes or until the outer leaves are tender and can be easily peeled off. Remove the cabbage from the water and let it cool slightly before carefully peeling off the leaves. Trim the thick center vein from each leaf to make them easier to roll.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, cooked rice, chopped onion, minced garlic, egg, breadcrumbs, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Mix until all ingredients are well incorporated.
  3. Take a cabbage leaf and place a spoonful of the filling mixture at the base. Roll the leaf over the filling, tucking in the sides as you go, to form a tight roll. Repeat with the remaining cabbage leaves and filling mixture.
  4. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  5. To prepare the tomato sauce, heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant. Stir in the tomato sauce, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Allow the sauce to simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  6. Pour a thin layer of the tomato sauce into the bottom of a baking dish. Arrange the cabbage rolls seam side down in the dish.
  7. Once all the cabbage rolls are in the dish, pour the remaining tomato sauce over the top, ensuring they are generously coated.
  8. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until the cabbage rolls are cooked through and the sauce is bubbly.
  9. Remove the foil during the last 10 minutes of baking to allow the tops of the cabbage rolls to brown slightly.
  10. Once cooked, remove the cabbage rolls from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.

Introduction: Prepare to tantalize your taste buds with a culinary masterpiece – Stuffed Cabbage Rolls. This timeless dish combines tender cabbage leaves enfolding a savory filling, bathed in a rich tomato sauce, delivering a symphony of flavors with every bite. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or an aspiring home cook, let’s embark on a journey to create this gastronomic delight together.

Ingredients: For the Cabbage Rolls:

  • 1 large head of cabbage
  • 1 lb ground beef (or turkey for a leaner option)
  • 1 cup cooked rice (or cauliflower rice for a keto-friendly alternative)
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (or almond flour for a gluten-free version)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

For the Tomato Sauce:

  • 2 cups tomato sauce
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Start by preparing the cabbage leaves. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Carefully remove the core from the cabbage and place the whole head in the boiling water. Allow it to cook for 5-7 minutes or until the outer leaves are tender and can be easily peeled off. Remove the cabbage from the water and let it cool slightly before carefully peeling off the leaves. Trim the thick center vein from each leaf to make them easier to roll.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, cooked rice, chopped onion, minced garlic, egg, breadcrumbs, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Mix until all ingredients are well incorporated.
  3. Take a cabbage leaf and place a spoonful of the filling mixture at the base. Roll the leaf over the filling, tucking in the sides as you go, to form a tight roll. Repeat with the remaining cabbage leaves and filling mixture.
  4. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  5. To prepare the tomato sauce, heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant. Stir in the tomato sauce, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Allow the sauce to simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  6. Pour a thin layer of the tomato sauce into the bottom of a baking dish. Arrange the cabbage rolls seam side down in the dish.
  7. Once all the cabbage rolls are in the dish, pour the remaining tomato sauce over the top, ensuring they are generously coated.
  8. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until the cabbage rolls are cooked through and the sauce is bubbly.
  9. Remove the foil during the last 10 minutes of baking to allow the tops of the cabbage rolls to brown slightly.
  10. Once cooked, remove the cabbage rolls from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.

Nutritional Information:

  • Serving Size: 2 cabbage rolls
  • Calories: 350
  • Total Fat: 15g
  • Saturated Fat: 5g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Cholesterol: 100mg
  • Sodium: 700mg
  • Total Carbohydrates: 25g
  • Dietary Fiber: 6g
  • Sugars: 9g
  • Protein: 25g

Smart WW Points: 10 points per serving (2 cabbage rolls)

Conclusion: Elevate your dining experience with these sumptuous Stuffed Cabbage Rolls that effortlessly blend hearty flavors with wholesome ingredients. Whether enjoyed as a comforting family meal or showcased at your next dinner party, these cabbage rolls are sure to impress. With each bite, savor the harmonious union of tender cabbage, flavorful filling, and robust tomato sauce. Bon appétit!