🥬 Polish Stuffed Cabbage Rolls (Gołąbki)
🍽️ Makes: About 10–12 rolls
⏱️ Time: 30 min prep | 90 min bake
🧂 Ingredients
For the Cabbage Rolls:
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1 large green cabbage
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1 lb ground beef (or mix with pork)
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1/2 cup uncooked white rice
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1 small onion, finely chopped
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1 tsp salt
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1/2 tsp black pepper
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1 large egg
For the Sauce:
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1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
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1 tbsp tomato paste (for richness)
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1 tbsp sugar
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1 tsp vinegar or lemon juice
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Salt and pepper to taste
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1/2 tsp paprika (optional)
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1/2 cup water or broth
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Prepare the cabbage:
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Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
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Core the cabbage and place it in the boiling water for 3–5 minutes. Peel off softened outer leaves as they loosen, one by one.
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Trim the thick center stem on each leaf to make rolling easier.
2. Make the filling:
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In a bowl, combine ground meat, uncooked rice, chopped onion, garlic, salt, pepper, and the egg. Mix until just combined.
3. Assemble the rolls:
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Place 2–3 tbsp of filling in the center of each cabbage leaf.
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Fold the sides in, then roll up like a burrito.
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Place seam-side down in a greased baking dish or Dutch oven.
4. Make the sauce:
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In a bowl, mix tomato sauce, tomato paste, sugar, vinegar or lemon juice, water/broth, and seasonings.
5. Pour & bake:
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Pour the sauce over the rolls. Cover tightly with foil or a lid.
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Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 1 ½ hours, or until cabbage is tender and rice is cooked.
📝 Tips:
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Tastes even better the next day!
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Serve with mashed potatoes, sour cream, or rye bread.
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For a stovetop version, simmer gently in a large pot or Dutch oven for 90 minutes.
Would you like a vegetarian, low-carb, or slow cooker version? I can help with that too!