To me, cabbage rolls are the ultimate comfort food a savory, soul warming 'hug in a bowl' that reminds me of family traditions. I love how the sweetness of the slow cooked cabbage perfectly balances the rich, herb infused meat filling and tangy tomato broth.
Beyond being delicious, this dish is a nutritional powerhouse. Cabbage is a true superfood, packed with Vitamin C for immune support and Vitamin K for bone health. It is also rich in fiber, which promotes healthy digestion and keeps you feeling full longer. It’s a hearty, nutrient-packed meal that feels wholesome without being heavy. While they take a little extra care to roll, that first melt-in-your-mouth bite makes every minute of preparation completely worth it!
-Didem Ornek Ertan, Head Chef at Formaggio Kitchen
Braised Cabbage Rolls with Seasoned Beef
Ingredients
Cabbage Rolls:
1 large savoy or flat cabbage
1 pound ground beef
1/2 cup rice, rinsed
1 cup diced onion
1 cup diced tomato
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tbsp pepper paste
1/4 cup chopped parsley
1/4 cup currants
2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp maras pepper
1 tsp dried mint
Sauce:
2 cups crushed tomato sauce
1 cup chicken stock
1/4 cup olive oil
Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Cabbage: Remove the core of the cabbage to loosen the leaves. Bring a pot of water to a boil and blanch the cabbage for 2-3 minutes. Remove the leaves with tongs, then remove the midribs and set aside.
- Make the Filling: In a mixing bowl, thoroughly combine the ground meat, rinsed rice, olive oil, onion, tomatoes, pepper paste, salt, black pepper, maras pepper flakes, dried mint, cinnamon, parsley, and currants.
- Assemble: Drain any excess water from the cabbage leaves. Fill each leaf with the prepared mixture and wrap tightly.
- Cook: Arrange the rolls in a baking dish. In a separate bowl, whisk together the crushed tomato sauce, chicken stock, olive oil, and salt. Pour the sauce over the rolls, cover the dish, and bake at 375°F for 35-45 minutes until tender.
