Heirloom Cabbage Rolls

Name: Heirloom Cabbage Rolls
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 1 h 30 min
Total time: 2 h
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 1 large head of cabbage; 1 lb ground beef; 1/2 lb ground pork; 1 cup cooked white rice; 1 medium onion, chopped; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 egg; 1 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 1 tsp paprika; 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce; 1/2 cup beef broth; 1 tbsp vegetable oil

🕒 Prep: 30 min

🔥 Cook: 1 hour 30 min

🍽 Serves: 8

Heirloom Cabbage Rolls bring a comforting, homey dish to your table with a delicious mix of ground meats, rice, and spices wrapped in tender cabbage leaves. This recipe is perfect for a cozy dinner, offering a touch of nostalgia and warmth that’s ideal for any season.

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Why You'll Love This Recipe

Combines flavorful ground beef and pork for a rich taste.
Uses familiar, simple ingredients you likely have on hand.
Perfect for meal prep — tastes even better the next day!
A unique take on traditional comfort food, with a surprising twist.

Ingredients

1 large head of cabbage

1 lb ground beef

1/2 lb ground pork

1 cup cooked white rice

1 medium onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 egg

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

1 tsp paprika

1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce

1/2 cup beef broth

1 tbsp vegetable oil

Ingredients Explained

The star of this dish is the cabbage, which acts as both the wrapper and a subtle flavor contributor. The combination of ground beef and ground pork creates a juicy, flavorful filling. Adding cooked white rice helps bind the filling and provides a comforting texture. Onion and garlic add a savory depth, while an egg helps hold everything together. Seasonings like salt, black pepper, and paprika give the rolls a gentle kick. Finally, the tomato sauce and beef broth create a rich sauce that keeps everything moist and succulent.

Tips & Tricks

Use a sharp knife to core the cabbage, making it easier to peel the leaves without tearing.
If the leaves are too small, overlap two to create a larger wrap.
Let the rolls rest for 10 minutes after baking to absorb more flavors.

Detailed Instructions

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures it's ready when you are. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. While it heats, remove the core from the cabbage to make peeling easier. Once the water is at a rolling boil, gently drop in the cabbage leaves and blanch them for about 2-3 minutes. This step makes them pliable and easier to work with.

In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, cooked rice, chopped onion, minced garlic, and egg. Add in the salt, pepper, and paprika. Use your hands to mix until everything is just combined, taking care not to overwork the meat. This mixture will be your filling.

Lay a cabbage leaf flat and place a generous spoonful of the filling in the center. Fold the sides in over the filling, then roll it up, starting from the bottom of the leaf. Place each roll seam-side down in a baking dish. Repeat until all the filling is used up.

Pour the tomato sauce and beef broth over the rolls, ensuring they are well-covered. Cover the dish with foil to keep the moisture in and bake for 1.5 hours. In the last 15 minutes, remove the foil to allow the top to brown slightly.

Simplified Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Remove the core from the cabbage and carefully peel off the leaves. Blanch the leaves in boiling water for 2-3 minutes until pliable.

3. In a large bowl, mix together the ground beef, ground pork, cooked rice, onion, garlic, egg, salt, pepper, and paprika.

4. Place a generous spoonful of the meat mixture onto each cabbage leaf and roll it up, tucking in the sides.

5. Place the rolls seam-side down in a baking dish. Pour tomato sauce and beef broth over the rolls.

6. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 1.5 hours.

7. Remove the foil for the last 15 minutes of baking to allow the top to brown slightly.

Serving Suggestions

These cabbage rolls pair beautifully with creamy mashed potatoes or a light cucumber salad. For an extra special touch, serve with a dollop of sour cream on top and a sprinkle of fresh dill.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?: Yes, but make sure it’s fully cooked beforehand to maintain the right texture.
What if I don't have beef broth?: Chicken broth or vegetable broth can be a suitable substitute.
How can I make this vegetarian?: Substitute the meats with a mix of mushrooms and lentils for a hearty vegetarian option.

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