QUICK STUFFED CABBAGE

Quick Stuffed Cabbage image

Provided by Marcia McCance

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 head coarsely chopped cabbage
1 can(s) tomatoes, canned and cut up (or 6 fresh, cubed)
1 1/2 lb ground beef
2 can(s) 8 oz tomato sauce
1 c water
1/2 c cooked rice
to taste salt and pepper

Steps:

1. Mix the ground beef with cooked rice, salt, pepper, and 2 Tbsp of water to moisten the meat mixture
2. make meat rolls with 1/4 C of meat mixture for each one -- shaped like really fat cigars -- I suppose you could make simple meat balls too -- up to you -- but cabbage rolls are usually longish like the fat cigar shape.
3. Layer: CABBAGE, MEAT, CABBAGE, MEAT, CABBAGE for stove top in 6qt pot OR ALTERNATELY: CABBAGE, MEAT, CABBAGE, IN RECTANGULAR BAKING DISH
4. Another alternative: to save time you can simply layer the cabbage, meat, cabbage without even making rolls -- it all tastes the same!!
5. Pour on the tomatoes, the tomato sauce, and the water
6. Cooks well in a crock pot for about 3 hours -- just make sure the meat is done. Can also cook on stove top or in oven for 1 hour or until the meat is done.
7. TIME SAVING ALTERNATIVE: You can cut down on the cooking/prep time if you eliminate the rice, and use 1 package cole slaw, and 2 lbs of frozen prepared meat balls. Italian style is best. Just throw in the tomato sauce and cook until the cabbage is tender and the meat is heated. I throw the frozen meat balls into the crock pot being sure to not touch the sides of the crock pot. Just make sure they are "insulated" with cabbage. Cook on high for about 3 hours or until done. Can cook all day on low. Enjoy!!