The Best Ever Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

👉Ingredients:

↪️1 cup cooked long-grain rice (or similar)

↪️1½ pounds lean or extra lean ground beef

↪️1½ tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

↪️1 large egg

↪️1 yellow onion, minced

↪️⅓ cup fresh parsley, roughly chopped

↪️3 cloves garlic, minced

↪️1½ teaspoons salt

↪️½ teaspoon black pepper

↪️½ teaspoon dried dill

↪️½ teaspoon onion powder

↪️½ to 1 teaspoon red chili flakes (optional)

↪️42 ounces tomato sauce, divided (three 14-ounce cans, about 5 cups total; see Notes)

↪️1 medium head green cabbage (you’ll need about 18 leaves for rolling, plus 8–10 extra for layering)

↪️½ cup cabbage water (reserved from boiling)

↪️Fresh chopped dill (optional, for garnish)

👉Directions:

✅️1. Cook the rice according to package instructions. Set aside. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

✅️2. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, egg, cooked rice, minced onion, parsley, garlic, salt, pepper, dill, onion powder, red chili flakes (if using), and ½ cup of the tomato sauce. Mix well until fully combined.

✅️3. In a large pot of boiling water, add the cabbage head and boil for 8–10 minutes, turning it halfway through. Carefully remove the cabbage and set aside. (Don't discard the water—you’ll need it later!)

◾️Tip: Before boiling, test the water level by placing the cabbage head in the pot first, to avoid overflow.

✅️4. Once the cabbage is cool enough to handle, carefully peel off the leaves and cut out the thick core from each one. If the inner leaves are too firm to remove, return the cabbage to the boiling water for a few more minutes, then continue peeling.

✅️5. Line the bottom of a 9"×13" baking dish or roasting pan with a few extra cabbage leaves.

✅️6. Take one cabbage leaf at a time, place about ¼ cup of the beef mixture on the leaf, fold in the sides, and roll it up tightly. Place the roll seam-side down in the prepared dish. Repeat until all the filling is used.

✅️7. In a bowl, mix the remaining tomato sauce with ½ cup of reserved cabbage water. Whisk to combine and pour evenly over the cabbage rolls.

✅️8. Cover the dish and bake in the preheated oven for about 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes, until fully cooked and bubbling.

✅️9. Garnish with fresh chopped dill if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!