Description
Delicious and hearty Creole Cabbage Rolls filled with a savory mixture of ground beef, Italian sausage, and seasoned rice, baked in a rich tomato sauce. This comforting recipe blends traditional creole flavors with tender cabbage leaves, perfect for a family dinner or special occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Sauce
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1/2 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound Italian sausage
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1 can (14 1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
Grains
- 1 package Zatarain’s® Spanish Rice
Vegetables
- 1 head cabbage, core removed
Instructions
- Cook Meat and Rice Filling: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and Italian sausage; cook and stir until meat is no longer pink. Stir in water, diced tomatoes, and Zatarain’s Spanish Rice mix. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 25 minutes or until rice is tender. Remove from heat and let the mixture stand for 5 minutes.
- Prepare Cabbage Leaves: While the filling cooks, bring 4 quarts of water to a boil in a large saucepot. Place the whole cabbage head, stem-side down, into the boiling water. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove the cabbage and carefully peel off the outer leaves. Return the remaining cabbage to the boiling water and simmer until outer leaves soften, repeating the process of removing softened leaves as needed until you have enough pliable leaves for rolling.
- Assemble Cabbage Rolls: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place about 1/3 cup of the rice and meat filling near the core end of each cabbage leaf. Fold the sides of the leaf over the stuffing, then tightly roll up the leaf to enclose the filling. Arrange the cabbage rolls seam-side down in a 13×9-inch baking pan and pour the tomato sauce evenly over the top.
- Bake Cabbage Rolls: Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until the cabbage rolls are tender and heated through. Serve warm for a satisfying and flavorful meal.
Notes
- Be gentle when removing cabbage leaves to avoid tearing them.
- Simmering the cabbage multiple times helps soften the leaves for easy rolling.
- Zatarain’s Spanish Rice mix contains seasoning, so additional salt is usually unnecessary.
- Leftover cabbage rolls can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated.
- For a spicier version, consider adding Creole seasoning or hot sauce to the filling.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Creole
