Gołąbki (pronounced go-WUMP-kee) are cabbage rolls stuffed with seasoned meat and rice, then baked in a rich tomato sauce until tender. This beloved Polish comfort dish is perfect for cozy dinners and even better as leftovers!
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Servings: 6–8 rolls
Calories per Serving: ~350 kcal
🛒 Ingredients
For the Rolls:
🥬 1 large head of green cabbage
🥩 500g (1 lb) ground beef mix
🍚 1 cup cooked white rice
🧅 1 small onion, finely chopped
🧄 2 cloves garlic, minced
🥄 1 tsp salt
🌿 1/2 tsp black pepper
🥚 1 egg
For the Tomato Sauce:
🧈 1 tbsp butter
🧅 1 small onion, chopped
🍅 2 cups tomato passata or crushed tomatoes
🥄 1 tbsp tomato paste
🌿 1 tsp sugar
🧂 Salt & pepper to taste
💧 1/2 cup water or broth
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Soften the Cabbage Leaves:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Gently peel off 8 large outer cabbage leaves and blanch for 2–3 minutes until pliable. Set aside to cool.
2️⃣ Prepare the Filling:
In a large bowl, ground beef , cooked rice, onion, garlic, salt, pepper, and egg until combined.
3️⃣ Make the Sauce:
In a saucepan, melt butter and sauté chopped onion until translucent. Add tomato paste, passata, water, sugar, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.
4️⃣ Assemble the Rolls:
Place 2–3 tablespoons of filling into each cabbage leaf. Fold sides in and roll tightly like a burrito.
5️⃣ Layer & Bake:
Place a little sauce in the bottom of a baking dish. Lay cabbage rolls seam-side down. Pour remaining sauce over the top. Cover with foil.
6️⃣ Bake:
Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 60–75 minutes until the rolls are tender and cooked through.
🍯 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- 🥬 Hearty, satisfying, and full of homemade love
- 🍅 Baked in a tangy tomato sauce for classic Polish flavor
- 🥩 Perfect make-ahead comfort food for freezing or reheating
- 🇵🇱 Traditional and nostalgic — just like Babcia made it
💡 Helpful Tips
- Use a paring knife to trim the thick spine of each cabbage leaf for easier rolling.
- For extra flavor, add a dash of Worcestershire sauce to the tomato sauce.
- Let the rolls rest 10 minutes before serving to firm up.
- Serve with mashed potatoes or rye bread for a true Polish meal!
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