Stuffed Cabbage Rolls on a Vegetable Bed

🥬 Stuffed Cabbage Rolls on a Vegetable Bed
Stuffed cabbage rolls are a comforting classic found in many home kitchens around the world. Tender cabbage leaves are filled with seasoned meat and rice, then baked on a flavorful bed of vegetables and tomato sauce until perfectly tender.
⏱ Time
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings: 6
🧾 Ingredients
For the Cabbage Rolls
1 large green cabbage
1 lb (450 g) ground beef
½ cup uncooked rice
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 egg
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
For the Vegetable Bed
1 carrot, grated
1 bell pepper, diced
1 onion, sliced
1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Sauce
2 cups tomato sauce
1 cup crushed tomatoes
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 teaspoon sugar
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
⭐ Optional Additions
½ teaspoon dried thyme
½ teaspoon oregano
½ cup mushrooms, chopped
½ cup shredded cheese for topping
👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. Prepare the cabbage
   Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Carefully place the whole cabbage in the water and cook for 3–5 minutes until the leaves soften. Remove and gently peel off 10–12 large leaves.
2. Make the filling
   In a bowl combine:
   ground beef
   uncooked rice
   chopped onion
   garlic
   egg
   salt, pepper, paprika
   parsley
   Mix well until fully combined.
3. Fill the cabbage leaves
   Place about 2–3 tablespoons of filling on each cabbage leaf. Fold the sides inward and roll tightly to form a neat roll.
4. Prepare the vegetable bed
   Heat olive oil in a pan and sauté the sliced onion, grated carrot, and diced bell pepper for 5 minutes until slightly softened. Spread this mixture on the bottom of a baking dish.
5. Make the sauce
   In a bowl mix the tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, salt, and pepper.
6. Assemble
   Place the cabbage rolls seam-side down on top of the vegetable bed. Pour the tomato sauce evenly over the rolls.
7. Bake
   Cover with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 50–60 minutes until the cabbage is tender and the filling is fully cooked.
8. Serve
   Let the dish rest for 5–10 minutes before serving.
   🍽 Description
   These cabbage rolls are tender, juicy, and rich in flavor. The cabbage becomes soft while the meat and rice filling cooks perfectly inside. The vegetable bed and tomato sauce add sweetness and depth, making every bite comforting and satisfying.
   🥗 Nutritional Information (Approx. per serving)
   Calories: 330
   Protein: 22 g
   Carbohydrates: 20 g
   Fat: 18 g
   Fiber: 4 g
   Sodium: 520 mg
   💡 Tips for Success
   Choose a large cabbage with flexible leaves for easier rolling.
   Don’t overfill the leaves to keep the rolls tight.
   If the sauce thickens too much, add a little water or broth while baking.
   The flavor becomes even better the next day after reheating.