Traditional Polish Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
A comforting, old-fashioned Polish dish made with tender cabbage leaves stuffed with seasoned meat and rice, then simmered in a rich tomato sauce. Perfect for family dinners!
Ingredients
For the Cabbage Rolls:
- 1 large green cabbage
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef (or beef & pork mix)
- 1 cup cooked white rice
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
For the Tomato Sauce:
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 1 cup crushed tomatoes
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp sugar (optional)
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 1 cup beef broth (or water)
Instructions
Prepare the cabbage:
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Carefully place the whole cabbage in the water and boil for 5–8 minutes until the leaves soften. Remove and gently peel off the leaves. Trim the thick stem part.
Make the filling:
In a bowl, mix ground meat, cooked rice, onion, garlic, egg, salt, pepper, and paprika until well combined.
3️⃣ Roll them up:
Place 2–3 tablespoons of filling near the base of each cabbage leaf. Fold in the sides and roll tightly like a burrito.
Prepare the sauce:
In a bowl, mix tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, broth, salt, and pepper.
Cook:
Place cabbage rolls seam-side down in a large pot or baking dish. Pour sauce over them.
- Stovetop: Simmer covered for 45–60 minutes.
- Oven: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 1 hour.
Serving Suggestion
Serve hot with mashed potatoes or crusty bread. Even better the next day!