Cabbage Rolls: A Beloved Family Recipe
Today we’re sharing a recipe that’s close to the heart. This particular stuffed cabbage roll recipe—called galumpkis in our family—comes straight from Natalie’s Polish grandma. She made these homemade cabbage rolls often and her cabbage rolls took center stage on our family’s holiday table (especially on Easter Sunday!) She and Natalie’s mom would double the recipe, which meant the family would be eating Polish cabbage rolls for days and no one ever complained (except when the cabbage rolls were finally gone). We’re sharing this traditional cabbage roll recipe straight from her recipe card–unchanged, not modernized, upgraded or otherwise fussed with. Just the very best, classic cabbage rolls we’ve ever had. Yeah, there’s ketchup in that ingredients list, and yes, we absolutely stand by it. Why? Because you don’t mess with perfection. And, between us, ketchup is an underrated ingredient! Particularly if you buy a nicer brand, ketchup is a terrific “secret” ingredient. It’s loaded with spices, has a hint of sweetness and usually a good little zing to it, too. Major bang-for-buck!
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Everything You’ll Need to Make the Best Polish Cabbage Rolls
Hearty, tomato cabbage rolls stuffed with a mix of pork sausage and beef are pure Polish comfort food. Like all of the best comfort foods in the world, they’re not fancy and the ingredient list is as humble and familiar as the dish itself. Here’s what you’ll need to make it:
Green cabbage
Ground beef
Pork sausage
White onion
Garlic
White rice
Tomato paste
Ketchup
Bacon
How to Make Cabbage Rolls
Cabbage rolls aren’t super hard to make and once you get the hang of them, you’ll be cranking them out like a pro! It’s also easy to double this recipe if you’re feeding a big crowd or hoping for leftovers. Cabbage rolls make great leftovers—their rich, savory, meaty goodness just intensifies as they sit. Here’s how to make the very best cabbage rolls of all:
Boil the cabbage! Yep, boil it whole! You need the leaves to be nice and pliable.
Make the pork and beef mixture that’ll fill stuffed cabbage rolls! Cook the meats until they’re done with onions and garlic, then add the rice and tomato paste.
Prep the cabbage leaves by peeling them carefully off the head.
Wrap the meat filling in the cabbage leaves! Nice and tight, and lay them in the baking dish.
Brush each roll with ketchup and top them with bacon.
Bake!
We don’t recommend freezing cabbage rolls, and these are best when eaten within a couple of days of making them. We think they are best reheated on the stovetop, but the microwave will do in a hurry!
What To Serve With Cabbage Rolls
If you’re preparing for a celebration or family gathering, cabbage rolls are a wonderful centerpiece for your holiday menu. We recommend a hearty potato accompaniment for maximum comfort food mode and Crispy Shallot Mashed Potatoes or Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes would both be great. A roasted vegetable dish on the side would also be tasty, and we suggest our simple Roasted Carrots or Perfectly Roasted Broccoli. Since these are the meat dish for the meal, you could also supplement with a fresh salad like Roasted Sweet Potato Salad with Orange Vinaigrette or Broccoli Salad. And we never say no to bread, and while rye bread is traditional, we think big buttered slices of Sourdough Bread would be your best bet.
Just Like Grandma's Cabbage Rolls
We hope this traditional Polish stuffed cabbage roll recipe finds its way into your heart. It’s greatly beloved in Natalie’s home, and we’re so excited to share it with you today. When you make it, let us know how you like it, OK? Share a photo and tag us on Instagram using @themodernproper and #themodernproper so that we can see your stuff! Happy eating!
