Stuffed Cabbage Casserole
When mom was visiting her cousin Denis Kovachovich in Floridana Beach, FL he served this version of the family classic - stuffed cabbage. This recipe is fantastic because we love the taste of cabbage rolls, but don't always have the time to prepare them. This recipe uses the same ingredients in a simpler manner.
Ingredients
This recipe makes two 9" x 13" pans. You can use more or less of the ingredients to fit your taste.3 lbs of ground round beef (substitute 1/2 to 1 lb with ground pork - I use Jimmy Dean hot or or Johnsonville Italian hot)
3 Medium or 2 Large heads of cabbage.
*1 1/2 cups raw long grain rice
3 Cups onions (raw or lightly sautéed)
Salt and Pepper
*Tip: To save cooking time in the oven, cook rice then add to recipe
Instructions
Bake 60 to 90 minutes at 350 °Peel a few cabbage leaves off the head. Set aside. Chop remaining cabbage into pieces - 1" square or strips of varying sizes.
Sauté onions about 6 minutes - should be a little firm.
*Put 1 1/2 cups of water with 2 beef bouillon cubes (or use beef stock) in pot - add rice. Bring to boil, stir & cover, simmer 8 minutes or until liquid is absorbed.
Simmer meat in a big pot, stirring often to break it up and keep it soft. It should be slightly pink. Drain.
Combine meat, onions, rice then chopped cabbage. Season with salt and pepper.
Divide into 2 lightly oiled 9" x 13" pans. Pour 1/2 of Sauce recipe below into each pan and cover with cabbage leaves.
Sauce: You need 64 oz of liquid (1 quart per pan) I make a combination of brown gravy and tomato sauce. Use the flavors that fit your taste.
Brown and Red Sauce:
I either buy a couple of Jars (12 oz) of Beef Gravy or make a couple of packets of brown gravy. Add a can of 10 oz tomato soup, then some tomato sauce, and/or diced tomatoes, and/or tomato paste - depending on strong of a flavor you like - then add enough water to make 2 quarts (64 oz) of sauce.
Tomato Sauce:
1 Can - 14.5 oz Diced Tomatoes
1 Can - 6 oz Tomato Paste
2 Cans - 8 oz Tomato Sauce
1 Can - 10 oz Tomato Soup
1 Head Garlic - diced
1 Packet Lipton Beefy Onion Soup (dry)
2 Beef Bouillon Cubes (optional)
Add Water to Make 2 quarts of liquid
Light Tomato Sauce:
Same as above - omit Onion Soup and Bouillon Cubes.
From: Mom (Sonya Rulli) and Denis Kovachovich (2007)