Description
Hearty Polish Gołąbki delivers comforting layers of seasoned ground meat and rice wrapped in tender cabbage leaves. Savory sauce and carefully rolled parcels showcase Eastern European culinary heritage for home cooks who appreciate classic comfort cuisine.
Ingredients
Scale
- 15 cabbage leaves
- 1 lb (454 g) ground beef
- 0.25 cup uncooked white rice
- 0.25 cup Italian bread crumbs
- 0.5 large onion, chopped
- 0.5 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsps fresh chopped parsley, plus more for garnish
- 2 tsps dried oregano
- Kosher salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 2 tbsps extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsps tomato paste
- 1 (28-oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsps balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
Instructions
- Sauce Preparation: Sizzle onions in oil until translucent, then incorporate tomato paste, garlic, and crushed tomatoes. Simmer the mixture for 20 minutes to develop a rich, complex flavor profile.
- Cabbage Leaf Preparation: Blanch whole cabbage leaves in boiling water for 2-3 minutes until pliable. Trim thick central ribs to facilitate smooth rolling.
- Filling Creation: Blend ground beef, prepared sauce, cooked rice, breadcrumbs, sautéed onions, and fresh parsley in a mixing bowl, creating a harmonious and well-seasoned filling.
- Rolling Technique: Position each cabbage leaf flat, deposit filling near the stem end, and roll tightly, tucking sides to secure the mixture completely.
- Baking Setup: Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Nestle rolled cabbage bundles seam-side down in a baking dish, ensuring minimal movement during cooking.
- Sauce Coating and Baking: Generously drench cabbage rolls with remaining tomato sauce, cover with aluminum foil, and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes until cabbage becomes tender and flavors meld.
- Finishing Touch: Remove from oven, allow 10-minute resting period, then garnish with fresh parsley and serve piping hot.
Notes
- Optimize Cabbage Leaf Preparation: Blanch leaves carefully to prevent tearing and ensure maximum flexibility for tight, neat rolls.
- Control Meat Mixture Moisture: Use lean ground beef and drain excess fat to prevent soggy, greasy filling that can compromise roll texture.
- Strategic Rolling Technique: Fold sides inward while rolling to create compact bundles that hold together during baking and prevent filling from escaping.
- Sauce Coverage Matters: Ensure complete sauce coverage for even cooking and enhanced flavor absorption throughout the cabbage rolls.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Eastern European
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg