Stuffed Cabbage Rolls - The Best Cold Weather Comfort Meal

ground meat

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: cooked lentils

Lentils provide a protein-rich, budget-friendly option.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: vegetable oil

Vegetable oil is often less expensive and widely available.

cabbage

🥗Healthier: collard greens

💰Cheaper: green cabbage

Collard greens can be a nutritious alternative.

rice

🥗Healthier: quinoa

💰Cheaper: bulgur

Bulgur is a cost-effective grain with similar texture.

Prepare the cabbage by boiling it in salted water for about 10 minutes until the leaves are soft and pliable, turning occasionally.

Dice one large onion (or two medium onions) and sauté it in 3 tablespoons of butter until moderately caramelized, about 15 minutes.

In a bowl, combine the sautéed onions with 1.5 teaspoons of paprika, 2 teaspoons of dried oregano, 1 teaspoon of black pepper, 2 teaspoons of fine sea salt, 1/4 cup of minced parsley, 1 cup of cooked rice, 2 lbs of ground meat (1 lb ground chuck and 1 lb ground Italian sausage), and 1 egg.

Stuff each cabbage leaf with a spoonful of the filling and roll tightly.

Arrange the stuffed cabbage rolls in a baking dish.

Prepare the sauce by mixing 1 (6 oz) can of tomato paste, 1 tablespoon of brown sugar, 2 tablespoons of cider vinegar, and 4 cups of hot water.

Pour the sauce over the cabbage rolls in the baking dish, ensuring they are almost covered.

Bake in the oven at 350°F until heated through.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: