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Grandma’s Hearty Stuffed Cabbage Rolls: A Timeless Comfort Food


  • Author: Annabel
  • Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings

Description

Tender cabbage leaves lovingly wrapped around a flavorful ground meat filling, baked to perfection and topped with a creamy, paprika-infused sour cream sauce. This classic comfort food is hearty, satisfying, and guaranteed to remind you of Grandma’s kitchen. Perfect for family dinners, leftovers, or sharing memories around the table.


Ingredients

For the Cabbage Rolls:

  • 1 head of cabbage (white or pointed cabbage)
  • 700 g ground meat (beef, pork, or a mix)
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 7 g salt
  • 5 g black pepper
  • 7 g oregano
  • 5 g sweet paprika
  • 2 eggs
  • 40 g flour

For the Sour Cream Mixture:

  • 30 g sour cream
  • 5 g sweet paprika
  • 5 g black pepper
  • 5 g salt

Instructions

1. Prepare the Cabbage:

  • Heat a large pot of water to a rolling boil.
  • Remove the core from the cabbage and carefully place the whole head into the boiling water.
  • Boil for 5-7 minutes, or until the outer leaves are tender and peel away easily.
  • Remove the cabbage and let it cool. Peel off the leaves, keeping them intact.

2. Prepare the Filling:

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine ground meat, chopped onion, salt, black pepper, oregano, sweet paprika, eggs, and flour.
  • Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well blended.

3. Assemble the Cabbage Rolls:

  • Lay a cabbage leaf flat on a clean surface. Place a heaping tablespoon of meat filling in the center.
  • Fold the sides of the leaf over the filling, then roll it up from the bottom to seal it.
  • Repeat with the remaining leaves and filling.

4. Cook the Cabbage Rolls:

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  • Arrange the cabbage rolls, seam side down, in a single layer in a large baking dish.

5. Prepare the Sour Cream Mixture:

  • In a small bowl, whisk together sour cream, sweet paprika, black pepper, and salt until smooth.
  • Spread the sour cream mixture evenly over the cabbage rolls.

6. Bake the Cabbage Rolls:

  • Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 45 minutes.
  • Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cabbage is tender and the filling is cooked through.

7. Serve:

  • Let the cabbage rolls cool slightly before serving.
  • Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or dill for a pop of color and flavor.

Notes

  • Prep Ahead: Assemble the rolls up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate. Add the sour cream topping before baking.
  • Storage: Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
  • Vegetarian Option: Replace the meat with a mix of cooked lentils, rice, or mushrooms for a vegetarian twist.
  • Adjust Seasonings: Feel free to add garlic, thyme, or a pinch of chili flakes for extra flavor.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 60 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Eastern European