Homemade Hearty Cabbage Roll Recipe with Tomato Sauce

ground meat

🥗Healthier: lean turkey

💰Cheaper: ground pork

Lean turkey is lower in fat, while ground pork is often less expensive.

rice

🥗Healthier: quinoa

💰Cheaper: bulgur

Quinoa is more nutritious, while bulgur is budget-friendly.

Preheat the oven and prepare to roast garlic wrapped in tin foil.

Chop garlic finely for the filling and set aside.

Chop leek, shallot, and half an onion for the filling.

Heat oil in a pan and add the chopped aromatics (leek, shallot, half onion) to cook until dark and caramelized.

Boil water and par-cook napa cabbage until soft, then shock in ice water to stop cooking.

Drain the cabbage in a colander to remove excess water.

Chop celery, remaining onion, carrot, and shallots for the sauce.

Cook the chopped vegetables (celery, onion, carrot, shallots) in a pot with olive oil and bay leaves until translucent.

Grind dried chili, black pepper, and dill seed in a spice grinder for the filling.

Add canned whole tomatoes to the sauce and season with salt.

Combine the caramelized aromatics, raw garlic, leftover rice, ground pork, and spices in a bowl for the filling.

Roll the filling in the softened cabbage leaves, tucking in the edges, and place in a casserole dish.

Spoon some tomato broth from the sauce over the cabbage rolls before baking.

Roast the garlic in the oven and add it to the sauce after it has cooked down.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary