Description
Delicious Creole Cabbage Rolls feature tender cabbage leaves wrapped around a flavorful mixture of ground beef, pork, and rice, baked in a rich tomato-based sauce with aromatic spices. This hearty main course combines traditional Creole seasonings with a satisfying texture, perfect for family dinners or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
Cabbage Rolls
- 1 large head of green cabbage
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound ground pork
- 1 cup cooked white rice
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
Sauce
- 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 bay leaf
- Chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare cabbage leaves: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Carefully peel 10–12 whole cabbage leaves from the head and blanch them in the boiling water for 2–3 minutes until pliable. Drain and set aside to cool.
- Sauté aromatics: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and garlic and sauté until softened, about 3 minutes.
- Make filling: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, cooked rice, sautéed onion and garlic, salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, dried thyme, and dried oregano. Mix thoroughly to combine.
- Assemble rolls: Lay each cabbage leaf flat and place about 1/4 cup of the meat mixture in the center. Fold in the sides and roll up tightly to enclose the filling.
- Prepare sauce: In the same skillet or a saucepan, combine tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, chicken broth, and bay leaf. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes to meld flavors.
- Preheat oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Layer and bake: Spoon a layer of the tomato sauce into the bottom of a baking dish. Place the cabbage rolls seam side down into the dish, then pour the remaining sauce over them. Cover with foil.
- Bake covered: Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour.
- Bake uncovered: Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes to slightly brown the tops.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from oven, discard bay leaf, garnish with chopped parsley, and serve warm.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, increase the cayenne pepper or add hot sauce to the tomato sauce mixture.
- This dish can be prepared ahead of time and reheated, making it ideal for meal prep.
