Eastern European Stuffed Cabbage

Name: Eastern European Stuffed Cabbage
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 90 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Eastern European
Ingredients: 1 head savoy cabbage; 1 lb. extra lean ground beef; 1 cup cooked wheatberries; 1 onion, finely diced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 egg; 1/2 tbsp. salt; 1 tbsp. fresh dill; 1/2 tbsp. black pepper; 1 tsp. paprika; 1 tsp. dried parsley; 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg; 1/2 tsp. dried thyme; 1 cup beef stock; 2 fresh tomatoes, diced; 1 large can whole stewed tomatoes; 1/2 cup tomato paste; 2 tsp. sugar; 1 tbsp. balsamic vinegar; 1/4 cup white wine, optional

Recipe GLPRfc1acd6da081f5

Eastern European

Main Course

90 min

589 cal

Servings: 6

Stovetop

Tender cabbage leaves stuffed with seasoned ground beef, wheatberries, and aromatic vegetables, then simmered in a rich tomato and herb sauce. This classic Eastern European comfort dish is hearty, flavorful, and perfect for a family dinner.

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Ingredients

1 head savoy cabbage

1 lb. extra lean ground beef

1 cup cooked wheatberries

1 onion, finely diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 egg

1/2 tbsp. salt

1 tbsp. fresh dill

1/2 tbsp. black pepper

1 tsp. paprika

1 tsp. dried parsley

1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg

1/2 tsp. dried thyme

1 cup beef stock

2 fresh tomatoes, diced

1 large can whole stewed tomatoes

1/2 cup tomato paste

2 tsp. sugar

1 tbsp. balsamic vinegar

1/4 cup white wine, optional

Directions

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Carefully remove the outer leaves from the cabbage head and place them in the boiling water for 2-3 minutes until softened and pliable. Remove with tongs and set aside on paper towels to cool. Continue blanching leaves until you have at least 12 usable leaves. Once cooled, trim the thick center vein from each leaf for easier rolling.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, cooked wheatberries, diced onion, minced garlic, and egg. Add the salt, dill, black pepper, paprika, dried parsley, nutmeg, and thyme. Mix thoroughly with your hands until all ingredients are evenly distributed and the mixture holds together when pressed.
Place a cooled cabbage leaf on a clean work surface. Spoon approximately 3 tablespoons of the beef mixture onto the center of each leaf. Fold the sides inward and roll tightly away from you, creating a compact cylinder. Repeat with remaining leaves and filling.
In a large pot or Dutch oven, combine the beef stock, diced fresh tomatoes, canned stewed tomatoes with their juice, tomato paste, sugar, balsamic vinegar, and white wine if using. Stir well to combine and break up any lumps of tomato paste.
Arrange the stuffed cabbage rolls seam-side down in the tomato sauce in the pot. Pour any remaining sauce over the rolls to ensure they are partially covered.
Cover the pot with a lid and bring to a gentle simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 45-50 minutes, until the rolls are heated through and the sauce has thickened slightly. Do not allow the mixture to reach a rolling boil, which may cause the rolls to fall apart.
Carefully remove the pot from heat. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Spoon the stuffed cabbage rolls onto serving plates and ladle the warm tomato sauce over each portion.

Comments

Grocery List Plus Editorial Staff4

This is a solid, affordable weeknight dinner that fits the Charlotte pantry well. Ground beef, cabbage, canned tomatoes, and beef stock are staples at every major chain here, and wheatberries are easy to find at Harris Teeter, Food Lion, or Kroger without a special trip. The real cost driver is the beef and cabbage volume needed to feed six, but you're looking at roughly three to four dollars per serving at current prices. The stated 90 minutes is honest for browning the filling, blanching cabbage leaves, rolling, and simmering, though a home cook should pad another ten minutes for leaf prep if working with a whole head. This is a braise-and-forget dish once it hits the oven, forgiving of timing and easily divided into portions, and it reheats beautifully over two or three days, making it excellent for a family meal or meal prep.