Stuffed cabbage is a delicious and satisfying dish that is a staple in many cuisines around the world. Whether you call it holubtsi, golubtsi, or cabbage rolls, this dish is a crowd-pleaser that is sure to impress. While you can cook stuffed cabbage on the stovetop, baking it in the oven gives it a rich and comforting taste.
To cook stuffed cabbage in the oven, there are a few key steps to follow. First, you’ll want to prepare the stuffing mixture, which typically includes a combination of ground meat, rice, onions, and spices. Once the filling is ready, you’ll carefully roll it up in blanched cabbage leaves and place them in a baking dish.
Next, you’ll want to pour a flavorful tomato sauce over the stuffed cabbage rolls. This sauce helps to add moisture and flavor to the dish as it bakes. Covering the baking dish with foil will ensure that the cabbage rolls cook evenly and stay moist.
Now it’s time to bake the stuffed cabbage rolls in the oven. The cooking time can vary depending on the size of the cabbage rolls and the temperature of your oven. However, a general guideline is to bake them at 350°F (175°C) for approximately 1 to 1 ½ hours. During this time, the cabbage will soften, the filling will cook through, and the flavors will meld together.
Always check the internal temperature of the stuffed cabbage rolls to ensure they are fully cooked. The meat should register at least 160°F (71°C) on a meat thermometer. If needed, you can continue baking them for an additional 10-15 minutes.
Once the stuffed cabbage rolls are fully cooked, remove them from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes. This will help the flavors to intensify and make them easier to handle. Serve the stuffed cabbage rolls warm, with any remaining tomato sauce spooned over the top.
Whether you’re cooking for a special occasion or just want a comforting and hearty meal, stuffed cabbage rolls are a delicious choice. With a little bit of time and attention, you can create a dish that is bursting with flavor and sure to please everyone at the table.
Preparing Stuffed Cabbage
Stuffed cabbage is a delicious and comforting dish that can be enjoyed by the whole family. Whether you are making it for a special occasion or simply craving some homemade comfort food, this recipe will guide you through the steps of preparing stuffed cabbage.
Ingredients:
To make stuffed cabbage, you will need the following ingredients:
- 1 large head of cabbage
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 can tomato sauce
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
Instructions:
Follow these easy steps to prepare stuffed cabbage:
- Prepare the cabbage: Remove the core from the cabbage and place the whole head in boiling water. Cook for a few minutes until the outer leaves start to soften. Remove the cabbage from the water and carefully peel off the leaves one by one. Set aside.
- Prepare the filling: In a large bowl, mix together the ground beef, cooked rice, chopped onion, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, paprika, and dried oregano. Combine well until all the ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Stuff the cabbage leaves: Take a cabbage leaf and place a small amount of the filling mixture at the center. Roll the leaf tightly, tucking in the sides as you go. Repeat with the remaining leaves and filling.
- Arrange in a baking dish: Place the stuffed cabbage rolls in a baking dish, seam side down. Pour the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and chicken broth over the rolls.
- Cook in the oven: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 1.5 to 2 hours or until the cabbage rolls are tender and the flavors have melded together.
Once the stuffed cabbage is cooked, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. This dish pairs well with mashed potatoes or crusty bread. Enjoy!
Choose the Cabbage Head
When making stuffed cabbage in the oven, it is essential to choose the right cabbage head. Look for a cabbage head that is firm and compact, with leaves that are crisp and green. Avoid cabbage heads that have wilted or yellowed leaves, as they may affect the taste and texture of the dish.
It is best to use a cabbage head that is medium to large in size, as it will be easier to work with when making the stuffed cabbage rolls. The leaves should be pliable enough to be rolled without breaking, but not too delicate that they tear easily.
You can choose either green or red cabbage for making stuffed cabbage in the oven. Green cabbage has a milder flavor, while red cabbage has a slightly stronger taste. Both options work well, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference.
Pro Tip: To ensure the cabbage leaves are easy to work with, you can blanch them in boiling water for a minute or two before using them to make the stuffed cabbage rolls. This will help soften the leaves and make them more pliable.
Preparing the Filling
Before you start cooking stuffed cabbage in the oven, you’ll need to prepare the filling. Follow these steps:
1. Gather the ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon dried parsley
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, cooked rice, chopped onion, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, paprika, dried oregano, dried thyme, and dried parsley.
- Use your hands or a wooden spoon to mix the ingredients together until well combined.
3. Once the filling is mixed, set it aside and prepare the cabbage leaves for stuffing.
- Remove the tough outer leaves from a head of cabbage and discard them.
- Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil.
- Place the cabbage head in the boiling water and cook for about 2-3 minutes, or until the leaves begin to soften.
- Using tongs, carefully remove the cabbage head from the pot and place it in a bowl of ice water to cool.
Now that the filling is ready and the cabbage leaves are prepared, you can move on to the next steps in the recipe for cooking stuffed cabbage in the oven.
Blanching the Cabbage Leaves
Blanching the cabbage leaves is an important step in preparing stuffed cabbage in the oven. Blanching involves briefly boiling the leaves to soften them and make them more pliable for rolling. Here’s how to blanch cabbage leaves:
- Start by removing any tough or damaged outer leaves from the cabbage head.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
- Using tongs, carefully submerge the cabbage head in the boiling water.
- Leave the cabbage head in the boiling water for about 2 minutes, or until the outer leaves start to soften and turn bright green.
- Using the tongs, carefully remove the cabbage head from the boiling water and transfer it to a large bowl filled with ice water.
- Let the cabbage head sit in the ice water for about 5 minutes. This will stop the cooking process and cool down the leaves.
- Once the cabbage head is cool, remove it from the ice water and carefully peel off the softened outer leaves one by one. Set the leaves aside.
- If the inner leaves are still too firm and hard to roll, repeat the blanching process with the cabbage head to soften them as well.
Blanching the cabbage leaves ensures that they will be tender and easy to roll when making stuffed cabbage. Once the leaves are blanched, they are ready to be stuffed with a delicious filling and baked in the oven.
Stuffing the Cabbage Leaves
The process of stuffing the cabbage leaves for the oven is relatively simple and requires a bit of preparation. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you with the process:
Ingredients
Before you start stuffing the cabbage leaves, gather the following ingredients:
- 1 large head of cabbage
- 1 cup of cooked rice
- 1 pound of ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1 can of tomato sauce
- 1 cup of beef broth
Instructions
- Start by preparing the cabbage leaves. Remove the core of the cabbage and submerge the cabbage head in boiling water for about 2-3 minutes. This will soften the leaves, making them easier to stuff. Remove the cabbage from the water and let it cool.
- While the cabbage is cooling, prepare the filling. In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked rice, ground beef, chopped onion, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix the ingredients until they are well combined.
- Once the cabbage is cool enough to handle, gently separate the leaves. Depending on the size of the cabbage, you may have around 12-15 leaves to work with.
- Take one cabbage leaf and place about 1/4 cup of the filling mixture near the base of the leaf. Roll the leaf tightly, folding in the sides as you go to create a neat, compact roll. Repeat this process with the remaining cabbage leaves and filling.
- Place the stuffed cabbage rolls in a baking dish. Pour the tomato sauce and beef broth over the rolls, ensuring that they are fully covered.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and place it in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C).
- Bake the stuffed cabbage rolls for about 1 hour, or until the cabbage is tender and the filling is cooked through.
- Once cooked, remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Enjoy your delicious stuffed cabbage rolls!
Q&A
How long should I cook stuffed cabbage in the oven?
You should cook stuffed cabbage in the oven for about 1.5 to 2 hours.
What is the cooking time for stuffed cabbage in the oven?
The cooking time for stuffed cabbage in the oven is around 1.5 to 2 hours.
How long do I need to bake stuffed cabbage in the oven?
You need to bake stuffed cabbage in the oven for approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.
What is the recommended baking time for stuffed cabbage in the oven?
The recommended baking time for stuffed cabbage in the oven is about 1.5 to 2 hours.
How much time does it take to cook stuffed cabbage in the oven?
It takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to cook stuffed cabbage in the oven.