Easy Cabbage Rolls

Looking for a delicious and easy recipe to impress your family and friends? These Easy Cabbage Rolls are the perfect dish for any occasion. Packed with flavorful ingredients and simple to make, these cabbage rolls will quickly become a favorite in your recipe rotation.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe?

1. Great flavors: The combination of ground turkey, Italian sausage, and aromatic spices creates a mouthwatering filling for the cabbage rolls.
2. Quick prep time: With just a few simple steps, you can have these cabbage rolls ready to bake in no time.
3. Perfect for meal prep: Make a batch of these cabbage rolls ahead of time for an easy and satisfying meal throughout the week.

Ingredient Notes:

• Head green cabbage: The cabbage leaves will be used to wrap the filling, so choose a head with large, flexible leaves.
• Cooked white rice: Adds texture to the filling and helps bind everything together.
• Ground turkey and Italian sausage: Provide a flavorful and protein-packed filling.
• Egg and Italian bread crumbs: Act as binders for the filling mixture.
• Red onion, garlic cloves, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, sugar, ground cumin, ground cinnamon, chicken stock: Add depth of flavor to the filling and sauce.
• Fresh parsley: For a pop of freshness at the end.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
2. In a large pot of boiling water, blanch the head of cabbage for a few minutes until the leaves are pliable. Remove and let cool.
3. In a bowl, mix together the cooked white rice, ground turkey, Italian sausage, egg, red onion, garlic, and Italian bread crumbs.
4. Place a spoonful of the filling mixture onto a cabbage leaf and roll it up, tucking in the sides.
5. In a baking dish, spread a layer of crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce. Place the cabbage rolls on top.
6. In a separate bowl, mix together the sugar, cumin, cinnamon, chicken stock, salt, and pepper. Pour over the cabbage rolls.
7. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 1 hour. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes.
8. Garnish with minced parsley before serving.

Helpful Tips:

• Use a sharp knife to carefully remove the core from the head of cabbage before blanching.
• Make extra cabbage rolls and freeze them for a quick meal later on.
• Swap out the ground turkey and Italian sausage for a vegetarian option like lentils or mushrooms.

Expert Tips for the Best Results:

1. For added flavor, sauté the red onion and garlic before adding them to the filling mixture.
2. Let the cabbage rolls sit for a few minutes after baking to allow the flavors to meld together.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve these Easy Cabbage Rolls with a dollop of sour cream and a side salad for a complete meal. Pair with a glass of red wine for a cozy dinner at home.

Storage and Reheating Tips:

Store any leftover cabbage rolls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them in a baking dish with a little extra tomato sauce, cover with foil, and bake at 350°F until heated through.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Can I use a different type of cabbage for this recipe?

• While green cabbage works best for cabbage rolls, you can also try using savoy cabbage for a slightly different flavor.

1. Can I make these cabbage rolls ahead of time?

• Yes, assemble the rolls up to a day in advance and keep them covered in the refrigerator until ready to bake.

1. Can I freeze these cabbage rolls?

• Absolutely! Freeze the unbaked rolls on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag once frozen solid. Bake from frozen, adding extra time as needed.

1. How can I make this recipe vegetarian?

• Replace the ground turkey and Italian sausage with your favorite meatless crumbles or chopped vegetables for a vegetarian version of these cabbage rolls.

Conclusion:

These Easy Cabbage Rolls are a delicious and satisfying dish that’s perfect for any occasion. With simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, you’ll have a flavorful meal on the table in no time. Give this recipe a try and let us know how it turned out!

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