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Spicy Sausage Penne in Creamy Tomato Sauce

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  • Author: Olivia
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings (approximately 12 rolls) 1x
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Eastern European
  • Diet: Halal

Description

Stuffed Cabbage Rolls with Ground Beef and Vegetables are a hearty dish where tender cabbage leaves are filled with a seasoned beef, rice, and vegetable mixture, then baked in savory tomato sauce. Perfect for family dinners and meal prep.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 large green cabbage
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 cup cooked rice
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1 medium carrot, grated
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced (divided)
  • 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp dried herbs (thyme, oregano, or Italian seasoning)
  • Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Core and separate cabbage leaves. Blanch for 2–3 minutes until softened. Drain and set aside.
  2. In a bowl, combine ground beef, cooked rice, onion, grated carrot, 1 clove garlic, salt, pepper, and paprika. Mix well.
  3. Place a spoonful of filling on a cabbage leaf, fold in sides, and roll tightly. Repeat with remaining leaves and filling.
  4. Heat olive oil in a saucepan. Sauté remaining garlic, then add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried herbs, salt, and pepper. Simmer 10–15 minutes.
  5. Pour some sauce into a baking dish. Arrange cabbage rolls seam-side down and cover with remaining sauce.
  6. Cover dish with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 1 hour until rolls are tender and cooked through.
  7. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.

Notes

  • Use ground turkey or pork for variation.
  • Freeze individual rolls in sauce for up to 2 months.
  • Use quinoa instead of rice for a gluten-free option.
  • Tightly roll and place seam-side down to avoid unraveling.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2 rolls with sauce
  • Calories: 330
  • Sugar: 7g
  • Sodium: 620mg
  • Fat: 17g
  • Saturated Fat: 6g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 24g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Protein: 21g
  • Cholesterol: 60mg