Here’s a recipe for classic stuffed cabbage rolls:
### Ingredients
**For the filling:**
– 1 large head of cabbage
– 1 pound ground beef
– 1/2 pound ground pork
– 1 cup cooked rice
– 1 small onion, finely chopped
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 egg, beaten
– 1 teaspoon salt
– 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
– 1/2 teaspoon paprika
– 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
**For the sauce:**
– 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
– 1 small onion, finely chopped
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– 1 tablespoon brown sugar
– 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
– 1 teaspoon salt
– 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
– 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
– 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
### Instructions
1. **Prepare the Cabbage:**
– Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
– Carefully remove the core from the cabbage.
– Place the cabbage head in the boiling water and let it cook for about 2 minutes. Carefully peel off each leaf as it softens, and continue until you have 12-14 leaves. Set aside to cool.
2. **Prepare the Filling:**
– In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, cooked rice, chopped onion, minced garlic, beaten egg, salt, pepper, paprika, and thyme. Mix well until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
3. **Make the Rolls:**
– Place a cabbage leaf on a flat surface. Add about 2 tablespoons of the filling mixture to the center of the leaf.
– Fold the sides of the leaf over the filling and roll it up from the stem end. Repeat with the remaining leaves and filling.
4. **Prepare the Sauce:**
– In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, and sauté until softened.
– Add the crushed tomatoes, brown sugar, red wine vinegar, salt, pepper, basil, and oregano. Stir well and bring to a simmer.
5. **Assemble and Cook:**
– Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
– Spread a thin layer of the tomato sauce on the bottom of a large baking dish.
– Place the cabbage rolls seam-side down in the dish, fitting them snugly in a single layer.
– Pour the remaining sauce over the cabbage rolls.
– Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 1.5 to 2 hours, until the cabbage is tender and the filling is cooked through.
6. **Serve:**
– Let the cabbage rolls rest for a few minutes before serving. Serve hot, spooning some of the sauce over each roll.
Enjoy your homemade stuffed cabbage rolls!