Tender Crock Pot Cabbage Rolls (Printer-Friendly)
Hearty cabbage leaves filled with meat, rice, and spices, cooked slowly in tomato sauce for a warm dinner.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 -
1 head green cabbage
02 -
0.5 cup water
→ Grains
03 -
0.75 cup cooked white or brown rice
→ Meats
04 -
0.5 pound lean ground beef (93% lean)
05 -
0.5 pound ground pork
→ Spices and Herbs
06 -
1.5 tablespoons onion powder
07 -
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
08 -
1 teaspoon salt
09 -
0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
10 -
0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
11 -
0.5 teaspoon sugar
→ Canned Goods
12 -
10 fluid ounces tomato soup
13 -
15 fluid ounces crushed tomatoes
# Steps to Follow:
01 -
Rinse the cabbage, remove the core using a knife. Place cabbage core-side up in a microwave-safe bowl with lid. Add 0.5 cup water, cover with paper towel, and microwave on high for 5 minutes. Flip cabbage carefully, cover with paper towel, microwave an additional 10 minutes.
02 -
In a medium bowl, mix cooked rice, ground beef, ground pork, onion powder, parsley, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper until thoroughly combined. Set aside.
03 -
In a separate bowl, stir together tomato soup, crushed tomatoes, and sugar. Set aside.
04 -
Once cooled enough to handle, carefully separate 6-8 large cabbage leaves from the head using a fork. Place on paper towels to dry. Remove thick center stem from each leaf, halving the leaf.
05 -
Place one cabbage leaf half flat. Spoon 1.5 tablespoons of meat mixture near one end. Fold short end over filling, tuck in sides, and roll tightly. Repeat with remaining leaves and filling.
06 -
Spray crockpot interior with non-stick spray. Pour 1 cup tomato sauce mixture evenly over bottom.
07 -
Place cabbage rolls in a single layer over sauce. If needed, add more sauce and arrange remaining rolls atop. Pour remaining sauce evenly over all rolls.
08 -
Cover crockpot and cook on low for approximately 6 hours or until internal temperature of rolls reaches 165°F (74°C).
# Helpful Hints:
01 -
Cabbage leaves may be prepared by boiling for 10 minutes as an alternative to microwaving.
02 -
Leftover cabbage rolls can be stored covered in the refrigerator for 2 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
03 -
Use 93% lean ground beef for best texture and flavor balance.