Description
Hearty Polish Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls blend savory ground beef, tender cabbage, and rich tomato sauce in a comforting one-pan miracle. Delicious family-style cooking brings traditional Eastern European flavors directly to your dinner table with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 1 pound lean ground beef or ground turkey
Grains:
- ¾ cup uncooked brown rice (or 1 ½ cups cooked brown rice)
Vegetables and Herbs:
- 1 small head cabbage, cored and chopped into large pieces
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ cup chopped fresh parsley
- ½ cup chopped fresh dill
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Liquids and Sauces:
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Prepare cabbage by immersing whole leaves in rapidly boiling water until they become pliable and soft, approximately 5-6 minutes. Remove carefully and allow to drain completely in a colander.
- In a separate cooking vessel, prepare rice using traditional method, ensuring grains are fluffy and separated. Season minimally with salt during cooking process.
- Select a spacious skillet and warm olive oil over moderate temperature. Gently sauté chopped onions until translucent and fragrant.
- Introduce ground meat to the onion mixture, breaking protein into small crumbles. Cook thoroughly until no pink remains, stirring periodically to prevent sticking.
- Incorporate chopped cabbage leaves into meat mixture, creating a harmonious blend of textures and flavors.
- Sprinkle dried herbs including parsley, dill, and warming spices like allspice and cumin across the skillet. Mix ingredients to distribute seasonings evenly.
- Pour diced tomatoes and prepared tomato sauce over the mixture, creating a rich, vibrant base. Add water to achieve desired consistency and prevent scorching.
- Reduce heat to low, cover skillet, and allow ingredients to simmer gently. This slow cooking process will meld flavors and tenderize components.
- After approximately 15-20 minutes, verify seasoning and texture. The dish should appear thick and aromatic.
- Plate the unstuffed cabbage rolls, garnishing with a delicate drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Serve immediately while temperature remains optimal.
Notes
- Perfectly blanch cabbage by adding a pinch of salt to boiling water, which helps maintain its vibrant green color and prevents mushiness during cooking.
- Choose lean ground meat like turkey or chicken for a healthier version, reducing overall fat content without compromising flavor intensity.
- Enhance dish’s texture by finely chopping cabbage instead of using whole leaves, creating a more uniform and easier-to-eat meal that blends ingredients seamlessly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 28 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Eastern European
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg