MAKE-AHEAD CABBAGE ROLLS

Make-Ahead Cabbage Rolls image

I've relied on this recipe for years, and my cabbage rolls never fail to impress. As the host of a number of holiday parties, my guests have come to expect this main entree. -Nancy Foust, Stoneboro, Missouri

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Dinner

Time 1h50m

Yield 12 rolls.

Number Of Ingredients 17

Ingredients

12 cabbage leaves
2 pounds ground beef
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 cups cooked long grain rice
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
SAUCE:
1/4 cup butter, cubed
1 large onion, halved and thinly sliced
2 celery ribs, chopped
2-1/2 cups water
2 cans (one 15 ounces, one 8 ounces) tomato sauce
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

In batches, cook cabbage leaves in boiling water until crisp-tender, 3-5 minutes. Drain; cool slightly. Trim the thick vein from the bottom of each cabbage leaf, making a V-shaped cut., Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook beef, salt and pepper over medium heat until no longer pink, breaking into crumbles, 8-10 minutes; drain. Stir in rice and eggs. , In another skillet, heat butter over medium-high heat. Add onion and celery; cook and stir until tender, 6-8 minutes. Stir in water, tomato sauce, lemon juice, sugar, parsley, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until thickened, 15-20 minutes., Spoon about 1/2 cup meat mixture onto each cabbage leaf. Pull together cut edges of leaf to overlap; fold over filling. Fold in sides and roll up. Transfer to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Pour sauce over rolls. Refrigerate, covered, overnight. , Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 350°. Bake, covered, until heated through, 50-60 minutes., Freeze option: Cover and freeze unbaked cabbage rolls. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 350°. Bake casserole as directed, increasing time as necessary to heat through and for a thermometer inserted in center to read 165°.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 492 calories, Fat 28g fat (12g saturated fat), Cholesterol 176mg cholesterol, Sodium 1376mg sodium, Carbohydrate 28g carbohydrate (6g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 33g protein.