Stuffed Cabbage Casserole (Oven-Baked)

 

This easy, juicy, and flavor-packed dish is perfect for a comforting lunch or dinner. Once you try it, it might become a weekly favorite!

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🛒 Ingredients

For the cabbage:

• 1 head of cabbage
• Butter (for topping)
• Garlic cloves

For the filling:

• 200 g minced meat
• 1 teaspoon bulgur
• 1 teaspoon rice
• 1 onion (finely chopped)
• ¼ bunch parsley (chopped)
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon red pepper
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• ½ cup oil

For the sauce:

For the sauce:

• 1 tablespoon red pepper paste
• 2 cups hot water
• 1 teaspoon salt

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👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Prepare the cabbage
   Remove the core from the cabbage. Place it in a large pot, cover with hot water, and boil until the leaves soften.
   Turn occasionally and cook about 10 minutes per side. Be careful not to overcook.
2. Make the filling
   In a bowl, mix together:
   • minced meat
   • bulgur
   • rice
   • onion
   • parsley
   • tomato paste
   • salt, red pepper, black pepper
   • oil
     Mix well until fully combined.
3. Prepare the leaves
   Separate the cabbage leaves and trim the thick stem.
4. Stuff and roll
   Place some filling in the center of each leaf, then roll tightly.
5. Arrange in dish
   
   • Arrange in dish
   • 
     Place all rolls in a baking dish (Pyrex or similar).
   • Prepare the sauce
     Mix red pepper paste, hot water, and salt.
     Pour evenly over the cabbage rolls.
   • Add toppings
     Place small pieces of butter and whole garlic cloves on top.
   • Bake
     Cover with baking paper (lightly moistened).
     Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for 1 hour.
   • Serve
     Remove from oven, uncover, and serve hot.
     Optional: serve with yogurt for extra flavor.

🍽️ Tips

1. • • Don’t overboil the cabbage—it should be soft but still strong enough to roll.
     • You can replace minced meat with a vegetarian filling if desired.
     • Let the dish rest for 5–10 minutes before serving for better texture.