Hearty Polish Cabbage Rolls with Tomato Sauce
These Hearty Polish Cabbage Rolls, or Golabki, are a beloved comfort food that’s steeped in tradition. Filled with a savory mixture of ground beef, pork, and seasoned rice, these rolls are lovingly wrapped in tender cabbage leaves and baked in a rich tomato sauce. Perfect for family dinners or meal prepping, Golabki embodies the warmth of my grandmother's kitchen, offering flavors that evoke nostalgia with each bite. This recipe combines ease and deliciousness: prepare the filling and cabbage the night before, and assemble them when you're ready to delight your friends and family. Not only do they freeze beautifully, but they also reheat easily, making them a convenient choice for busy weeks. Dive into this hearty one-dish meal that’s sure to become a cherished favorite in your home.
10
Servings
290
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
Cabbage
1 head (Cored)
Ground beef
2 lbs (Not overly lean)
Ground pork or veal
1 lb (Not overly lean)
Cooked rice
2 cups (Cooked)
Eggs
2 (Beaten)
Garlic cloves
4 (Minced)
Large onion
1 (Chopped)
Butter
2 tablespoons (Melted)
Dried marjoram
2 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon (Separated)
Dried thyme or sage
1 tablespoon (Preferred spice)
Salt
1 teaspoon (To taste)
Pepper
1 teaspoon (To taste)
Crushed tomatoes
2 (14 ounce) cans (Poured over golabki)
Tomato sauce
1 (12 ounce) can (Poured over golabki)
Instructions
1
Chop the onion and mince the garlic.
2
In a large skillet, sauté the minced garlic and chopped onion in 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat until the onions are caramelized. Remove from heat and let cool to near room temperature.
3
In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs thoroughly. Add the marjoram, thyme (or sage), salt, and pepper, whisking together until combined.
4
In the same bowl, add the ground beef, ground pork (or veal), cooked rice, cooled onion and garlic mixture. Mix thoroughly using your hands until all ingredients are well combined.
5
Cover the mixture and let it rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes or overnight to enhance the flavors.
6
While the filling rests, core the head of cabbage. Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
7
Blanche the cabbage leaves in the boiling water, carefully peeling them off as they become limp. Alternatively, for an easier method, freeze the cabbage head overnight, then thaw it - the leaves will naturally separate and be tender.
8
After separating the leaves, use a paring knife to trim any thick stems so they can easily bend and roll.
9
Take about 2 tablespoons of the meat filling and place it at the center of each cabbage leaf. Fold in the sides and roll up tightly into a little package, placing each golabki seam-side down in a large casserole dish.
10
Once all the cabbage leaves have been filled and rolled, pour the crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce evenly over the top of the rolls. Sprinkle the remaining marjoram into the sauce, stirring to combine.
11
Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 2 hours, allowing all the flavors to meld beautifully.
Nutrition Information
18g
Fat
20g
Carbs
17.5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the traditional name for Polish Cabbage Rolls?
The traditional Polish name for these cabbage rolls is Golabki.
What meat is used in the Hearty Polish Cabbage Rolls filling?
The filling consists of a savory mixture of 2 lbs of ground beef and 1 lb of ground pork or veal.
How long do you bake the cabbage rolls?
The cabbage rolls should be baked in a preheated oven for 2 hours.
What is the recommended baking temperature?
Bake the casserole at 350°F (175°C).
Can these cabbage rolls be frozen?
Yes, Golabki freeze beautifully and are great for meal prepping.
Is the rice added to the meat raw or cooked?
The recipe requires 2 cups of cooked rice to be mixed into the filling.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes approximately 10 servings.
What are the primary seasonings in the meat mixture?
The primary seasonings include marjoram, thyme (or sage), salt, pepper, garlic, and caramelized onions.
How do you prepare the cabbage leaves for rolling?
You can either blanche the cabbage in boiling water, peeling leaves off as they become limp, or freeze the head overnight and then thaw it so the leaves separate naturally.
What kind of sauce is used for these rolls?
A rich tomato sauce made from crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and a sprinkle of marjoram is poured over the rolls.
Should the casserole dish be covered during baking?
Yes, cover the casserole with aluminum foil before putting it in the oven to allow the flavors to meld.
How much protein is in one serving of Golabki?
Each serving contains approximately 17.5g of protein.
What should I do with the thick cabbage stems?
Use a paring knife to trim any thick stems so the leaves can easily bend and roll tightly.
Can I prepare the filling in advance?
Yes, the filling can rest in the fridge for 30 minutes or even overnight to enhance the flavors.
How many calories are in a serving of these cabbage rolls?
There are about 290 calories per serving.
How do you position the rolls in the baking dish?
Place each cabbage roll seam-side down in a large casserole dish to prevent them from unrolling.
How much meat filling goes into each roll?
Take about 2 tablespoons of the meat filling and place it at the center of each cabbage leaf.
What type of fat is used for sautéing the vegetables?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of butter to sauté the onions and garlic.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
This recipe calls for 4 minced garlic cloves.
What is the carbohydrate count per serving?
Each serving contains 20g of carbohydrates.
Is this dish considered a one-dish meal?
Yes, it is a hearty one-dish meal containing protein, grains, and vegetables.
What type of tomatoes should I use for the sauce?
The recipe specifies two 14-ounce cans of crushed tomatoes and one 12-ounce can of tomato sauce.
Should the ground meat be very lean?
The recipe suggests using ground beef and pork that is not overly lean for better flavor and texture.
What are the eggs used for in the recipe?
Two beaten eggs are used as a binder for the meat and rice mixture.
Do I need to cook the onions before adding them to the meat?
Yes, sauté the chopped onion and minced garlic in butter until the onions are caramelized and let them cool before mixing with the meat.
How much fat is in one serving?
One serving contains approximately 18g of fat.
Can I use sage instead of thyme?
Yes, the recipe allows for either 1 tablespoon of dried thyme or sage depending on your preference.
How is the marjoram divided in this recipe?
Two tablespoons are used in the meat mixture, and the remaining 1 teaspoon is sprinkled into the tomato sauce.
What is the origin of this dish?
This is a traditional Polish comfort food recipe, specifically Eastern European cuisine.
Are these cabbage rolls easy to reheat?
Yes, Golabki reheat easily, making them a convenient choice for busy weeks.