Here’s a classic, comforting recipe for Old-Fashioned Stuffed Cabbage Rolls—savory, hearty, and full of that nostalgic homemade flavor. 🥬🍅

🥬 Old-Fashioned Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

Ingredients (6–8 servings)

For the Rolls

• 1 large head of cabbage
• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (or half beef, half pork)
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp paprika (optional)

For the Sauce

• 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce (optional)
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Prep the Cabbage

1. Bring a large pot of water to boil.
2. Remove core from cabbage.
3. Carefully separate leaves (about 12–16 leaves).
4. Blanch leaves in boiling water 2–3 minutes until pliable. Drain and set aside.

2. Make the Filling

1. In a bowl, combine:
   • Ground beef
   • Cooked rice
   • Onion
   • Garlic
   • Egg
   • Salt, pepper, and paprika
2. Mix until well combined.

3. Roll the Cabbage

1. Place about ¼–½ cup filling in the center of each cabbage leaf.
2. Fold sides over filling and roll tightly from stem end to tip.

4. Make the Sauce

1. In a saucepan, combine tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, brown sugar, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper.
2. Simmer 5–10 minutes to blend flavors.

5. Assemble & Bake

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Spread a thin layer of sauce in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
3. Place cabbage rolls seam-side down in the dish.
4. Pour remaining sauce over the rolls, covering completely.
5. Cover with foil and bake 1–1.5 hours, until cabbage is tender and meat is cooked through.

6. Serve

• Spoon extra sauce over rolls.
• Optional: garnish with chopped parsley or a dollop of sour cream.

🌟 Tips & Variations

• Make-ahead: Assemble rolls a day in advance; bake before serving.
• Slow cooker version: Layer rolls in crockpot, cover with sauce, cook on low 6–8 hours.
• Rice swap: Try quinoa or barley for a twist.
• Spices: Add a pinch of thyme, dill, or smoked paprika to the filling for extra flavor.

If you want, I can also give a shortcut version using pre-shredded cabbage or no-boil rolls that cuts prep time in half.