Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
These Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Cabbage Rolls are the perfect example of comfort food, bringing together tender cabbage leaves, savory ground beef, fluffy rice, and smoky bacon in a single tasty dish. The cabbage leaves are filled with a tasty mixture, then wrapped in bacon and baked in the oven until the bacon turns golden and the filling is thoroughly cooked. You can serve them as part of a warm family dinner or as a substantial weekend meal.
Ingredients
Method
- Oven should be preheated to 375°F (190°C). The large baking dish should be lightly greased with cooking oil or nonstick spray.
- Take the core out of the cabbage carefully. Place a large pot of water on to gently boil and then put the cabbage into the water. Cook it for 5 to 8 minutes, taking out the outer leaves as they become softer. You will require approximately 12 large leaves. After cooling them, cut the thick central ribs slightly so that they can roll easily.
- Put the ground beef, the cooked rice, the chopped onion, the minced garlic, the egg, the breadcrumbs, the smoked paprika, the Italian seasoning, the garlic powder, the salt, the black pepper, and the parsley into a big mixing bowl and mix them together until they are thoroughly combined without overmixing.
- Take another bowl and mix in it the tomato sauce, tomato paste, beef broth or water, Worcestershire sauce (if you are using it), the Italian seasoning, the minced garlic, and black pepper.
- Take a single cabbage leaf which has been softened and place it on a clean surface. Add about 2 to 3 tablespoons of the beef-and-rice filling close to the base of the leaf. Fold in the sides and roll it up tightly, just as you would a small parcel. Carry out this procedure with the other leaves and filling.
- For each cabbage roll use 1 to 2 bacon strips according to its size and place the rolls with the seams downwards into the prepared baking dish, leaving a small space between them.
- Pour the mixture of tomato sauce over and among the rolls, making sure not to completely cover the tops so that the bacon can brown. Then cover the dish with foil and bake it for 30 minutes.
- Take the foil off and then bake it for an additional 20 to 30 minutes until the bacon has browned and the filling is completely cooked. If necessary, broil it for a short time at 1 to 2 minutes to crisp up the bacon, keeping a close eye on it to avoid burning.
- To check the centre of the roll, use a food thermometer and make sure that the minced beef filling has reached 160°F (71°C). If the temperature has not reached this point, then continue baking and check once more.
- Take the dish out of the oven and let the rolls stand for five minutes. Then spoon some of the tomato sauce onto the rolls, decorate them with fresh parsley, and serve them warm.