Stuffed cabbage rolls

Here’s a recipe for Traditional Polish Style Stuffed Cabbage Rolls (Gołąbki) without canned soup. These classic rolls are filled with seasoned meat and rice, then cooked in a homemade tomato sauce.

Ingredients

For the Cabbage Rolls:

1 large green cabbage

1 lb ground pork (or a mix of pork and beef)

1/2 cup uncooked rice

1 medium onion, finely chopped

1 egg

Salt and pepper, to taste

1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

For the Tomato Sauce:

1 tbsp butter or oil

1 medium onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce (or 2 cups pureed fresh tomatoes)

1 cup beef or vegetable broth

1 tsp sugar (to balance acidity)

1/2 tsp paprika

Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Prepare the Cabbage:

Boil a large pot of water.

As the outer leaves soften, peel them off and place on a plate to cool. Continue until you have about 12–15 large leaves. Set aside.

2. Prepare the Filling:

Prepare the rice following the package instructions, then allow it to cool slightly.

In a bowl, mix the ground meat, cooked rice, chopped onion, egg, parsley, salt, and pepper until well combined.

3. Assemble the Cabbage Rolls:

Place about 2–3 tablespoons of filling at the base of each cabbage leaf.

Fold the sides over the filling, then roll up tightly from the base to the tip, creating a secure roll. Repeat for all leaves and filling.

4. Make the Tomato Sauce:

Warm butter or oil in a large skillet over medium heat Sauté the chopped onion until translucent,

Add the tomato sauce, broth, sugar, paprika, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

5. Cook the Cabbage Rolls:

Place a few cabbage leaves on the bottom of a large pot or Dutch oven (to prevent sticking).

Arrange the cabbage rolls seam-side down in layers in the pot.

Drizzle the tomato sauce over the rolls, ensuring they are fully covered.

Cover and cook on the stovetop over low heat for about 1 1/2 to 2 hours, until the rolls are tender and fully cooked.

6. Serve:

Serve the cabbage rolls warm with extra sauce spooned over the top.

Tips:

For extra flavor, add a splash of white wine to the tomato sauce while simmering.

If you have extra filling, roll it into small meatballs and cook alongside the cabbage rolls.

Enjoy your homemade Polish-style stuffed cabbage rolls!