Ingredients

  • 1 large green cabbage
  • 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
  • ½ cup cooked rice
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1 egg
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • ½ tsp dried oregano

Sauce

  • 2 cups tomato sauce
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • ½ cup water or beef broth
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper

Instructions

  1. Prepare the cabbage: Remove the core and place the cabbage in boiling water. Cook for 5–7 minutes, gently removing the softened leaves as they loosen. Drain and cool.
  2. Make the filling: In a bowl, combine ground beef, cooked rice, onion, egg, garlic, salt, pepper, paprika, and oregano. Mix until well combined.
  3. Roll the cabbage: Place about 2–3 tablespoons of filling on each cabbage leaf. Fold in the sides and roll tightly.
  4. Make the sauce: Mix tomato sauce, tomato paste, water/broth, sugar, salt, and pepper.
  5. Bake: Spread some sauce in a baking dish. Arrange the cabbage rolls seam-side down and pour the remaining sauce over them.
  6. Cover with foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 60–70 minutes.
  7. Remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes until the rolls are tender and the sauce is bubbling.

Serve hot with extra tomato sauce on top.