The cabbage rolls in tomato sauce cooked in a pan are really delicious and easy to make. If you want, you can enrich the meat with a mix of onion, carrots, and celery, or simply season it as I did. You’ll see how delicious they are.
When it comes to Italian cooking, one cannot overlook the importance of seasonal vegetables. These not only enhance our dishes with authentic flavors, but also offer a great opportunity to enjoy fresh and nutritious ingredients.
Among the recipes that celebrate the goodness of seasonal vegetables, cabbage rolls in tomato sauce stand out for their versatility and enveloping flavor.
Cabbage rolls are a traditional dish of Italian cuisine, particularly appreciated in the northern regions. They are prepared by wrapping a filling of meat, rice, or vegetables inside cabbage leaves, which are then cooked in a rich tomato sauce.
This dish is not only delicious but also a fantastic way to use seasonal vegetables, making it perfect for the autumn and winter months.
Cabbage, with its crunchy and nutritious leaves, is the main ingredient of this recipe. During the cold season, it is possible to find it fresh and of high quality at local markets. Other key ingredients include ground meat (beef or pork).
Why Choose Seasonal Vegetables?
Using seasonal vegetables not only improves the taste of dishes but is also a sustainable choice. Seasonal vegetables are fresher, more nutritious, and often more affordable. Moreover, they support local agriculture and reduce the environmental impact associated with the transport of out-of-season products.
Few and simple ingredients and a few steps will make this dish a really tasty second course. Let’s discover the recipe.
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- Difficulty: Very easy
- Cost: Economical
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 4People
- Cooking methods: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Autumn, Winter
Ingredients for cabbage rolls in tomato sauce
- 10 leaves savoy cabbage
- 1.1 lbs beef (ground)
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 cup bread (stale)
- as needed milk
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 pinches pepper
Tools
- 1 pan
- 1 pot
Preparation for cabbage rolls in tomato sauce
1. To prepare the cabbage rolls in tomato sauce, first detach the cabbage leaves, wash them, and cook them in plenty of lightly salted water for 3 minutes.
Once ready, drain them with a slotted spoon to avoid breaking them and let them dry on a clean kitchen towel.
2. In the meantime, in a bowl, season the meat with the chopped spices and the crushed garlic clove, season with salt and pepper, and mix.
Soften the crustless bread in a small bowl with some milk and crumble it with your hands, removing the excess milk.
3. Add the softened bread to the ground meat and mix well.
4. Form the rolls, cut the cabbage leaves in half if they are too large, and with your hands take some dough, pressing it, place it on top of the cabbage, and roll it up to close the roll.
Secure each roll with a toothpick and place them on a tray.
5. Now, in a large pan, heat a generous drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. If you want, you can flavor it with herbs or a garlic clove, then place the previously prepared rolls in the sauce.
6. Cook the cabbage rolls in the sauce for at least 20 minutes over medium-low heat, turning them halfway through cooking with a slotted spoon to avoid breaking them.
How to Store Cabbage Rolls in Tomato Sauce
Cabbage rolls in tomato sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2 days.
You can enrich your cabbage rolls in tomato sauce with a mixture of onion, carrots, and celery, sautéed in a pan and then added to the meat during preparation.
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Tips and Variations
The most traditional filling for cabbage rolls is made with ground meat and rice. The meat can be beef, pork, or a combination of both, seasoned with spices, parsley, and Parmesan cheese. The rice, cooked al dente, absorbs the flavors of the sauce during cooking, making the dish even tastier.
For those who prefer a vegetarian version, a legume-based filling is a great alternative. Beans, lentils, or chickpeas can be mixed with fresh cheese, such as ricotta or mozzarella, to create a creamy and flavorful filling. Adding herbs like basil or thyme can further enrich the flavor.
For a gourmet touch, try a filling made with sautéed mushrooms and chopped nuts. The mushrooms, with their intense flavor, perfectly complement the crunchiness of the nuts, creating a contrast.
