Stuffed Cabbage – a classic Polish delicacy that brings together the flavors of cabbage, ground beef, and rice in a harmonious blend. It's a dish that has been passed down through generations.
Fill a large stock pot with water, and cook on high until water is boiling.
In a large skillet place ground beef and onions in skillet, and cook on medium-high. Breaking up ground beef as it cooks, and mixing around until all the beef is cooked. Drain well and set aside.
While ground beef is cooking either cook white rice according to package or heat-up leftover rice and set aside.
Add white rice to the beef/onion mixture. Season with salt and pepper to taste and ¼ teaspoon paprika.
Clean the cabbage well and cut the core off. Slowly peal each layer off the cabbage until you have 12 leaves (I like to peal two extra’s in case a few break or become over cooked in the pot)! Place a few leaves in the boiling water and cook for 2-3 minutes or until leaves are soft, but not falling apart. Gently remove the leaves, and repeat this step until ALL the leaves have been cooked. Rinse all the leaves under cold water and set aside.
In a sauce pan add both cans of tomato sauce and brown sugar mix well and heat for a few minutes on medium heat. Once the mixture is hot add the half and half and stir until well incorporated. Turn the heat off and let it sit with a covered lid.
In a 9×12 pan spray with cooking spray and then ladle a few spoonfuls of sauce making sure that the bottom is well covered.
On a clean work surface place a cabbage leave open and add 2 tablespoons of meat/rice mixture. Roll like a burrito and place seam side down. Repeat until all the cabbage leaves have been stuffed. If you have enough mixture for the remaining two extra and there is enough room in your pan make them (you won’t regret it)!
Once all the stuffed cabbage is rolled and in your pan pour the remainder of your sauce over the top of the cabbage until all the rolls have been covered with sauce. Place tin foil on top of the dish and bake for 40 minutes. Let it cool for a few minutes outside the oven. Plate and ladle on more sauce before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
Prepare the cabbage leaves carefully: To make the rolling process smoother, remove the tough center stem from each cabbage leaf and blanch them until they are pliable but not mushy.
Get creative with fillings: While traditional Stuffed Cabbage includes ground beef and rice, you can experiment with vegetarian or alternative fillings like lentils or mushrooms for a unique twist.
Simmer to perfection: Allow your Stuffed Cabbage to simmer in a flavorful tomato sauce for a longer time, as this helps the flavors meld and the dish to reach its full potential.
Freeze for future feasts: Stuffed Cabbage freezes well, so you can make a large batch and enjoy it on various occasions without the need for extensive preparation each time