BEST STUFFED CABBAGE ROLLS

Best Stuffed Cabbage Rolls image

Tender leaves of cabbage are wrapped around a hearty sirloin and rice filling and topped with a homemade tomato sauce in this family-friendly recipe for stuffed cabbage leaves. The hint of allspice and slight tang from vinegar create a perfect balance in this dish. They remind me of eating at a Lebanese food festival, although not quite as spicy. Serve with Greek salad or tabouli salad and warm pita for the perfect bite!

Provided by NicoleMcmom

Time 2h

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

6 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
1 large head cabbage
2 teaspoons oil
½ cup minced onion
1 (14 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (14 ounce) can petite diced tomatoes, undrained
¾ cup water
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon ground black pepper, divided
1 pound ground sirloin
1 cup uncooked white rice
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ teaspoon ground allspice
1 medium lemon, cut into 6 wedges
2 teaspoons chopped fresh parsley, or to taste

Steps:

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Stir in 4 teaspoons salt. Remove loose, outer leaves from the cabbage and place in the boiling water for 1 minute. Remove from the water and set aside.
Remove core from the cabbage and carefully place the head in the boiling water. Cook for 5 minutes, removing the outer leaves one at a time as they loosen every minute. Set aside 12 large leaves and reserve inner portion of the cabbage for another use.
Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Set aside 2 tablespoons minced onion for cabbage rolls; add remaining onion to the hot oil. Cook, stirring often, until translucent, about 2 minutes. Stir in tomato sauce, undrained diced tomatoes, water, vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon salt; bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and cook for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Prepare cabbage rolls: Mix sirloin, rice, garlic, reserved minced onion, remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, remaining pepper, and allspice together in a bowl until well combined.
Place a softened cabbage leaf on a cutting board and remove the bottom, tough portion of the stem. Place about 3 tablespoons meat filling into the center of the leaf. Fold the sides inward and roll the leaf up tightly, like a burrito or spring roll. Repeat with remaining leaves and filling.
Pour 1 cup tomato sauce mixture in a bottom of a 9x13-inch or 11x7-inch baking dish. Place cabbage rolls, seam-side down, in the baking dish and pour remaining sauce on top. Cover tightly with foil.
Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour. Lightly squeeze a wedge of lemon over each serving and garnish with parsley.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 390.1 calories, Carbohydrate 46.4 g, Cholesterol 52 mg, Fat 13.4 g, Fiber 8.2 g, Protein 22.8 g, SaturatedFat 4.7 g, Sodium 2457 mg, Sugar 11.5 g