Homemade Polish cabbage rolls with ground beef are a traditional comfort dish made with tender cabbage leaves stuffed with seasoned beef and rice, then slowly cooked in a light tomato sauce.
Author: Catherine
Prep Time:40 minutes
Cook Time:1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time:1 hour 55 minutes
Yield:6 servings 1x
Category:Main Dish
Method:Baking or Simmering
Cuisine:Polish
Diet:Low Lactose
Ingredients
Scale
1 large green cabbage
1½ pounds ground beef
1 cup uncooked white rice, partially cooked
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
2 cups tomato sauce
1 cup crushed tomatoes
½ cup water or broth
Instructions
Remove the core from the cabbage and boil the head until leaves soften.
Carefully remove softened leaves and trim thick veins.
In a bowl, mix ground beef, partially cooked rice, onion, garlic, salt, and pepper.
Place filling on each cabbage leaf, fold sides inward, and roll tightly.
Arrange rolls seam-side down in a baking dish or pot.
Mix tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, and water or broth, then pour over rolls.
Cover and bake or simmer gently until cabbage is tender and filling is cooked.
Serve hot with sauce spooned over the top.
Notes
Do not overfill the cabbage leaves to prevent tearing.
Keep rolls packed closely so they hold their shape.
Flavor improves after resting overnight.
Extra sauce helps keep rolls moist during reheating.