Delicious Cabbage Rolls Cooked in Tomato Sauce
Enjoy these traditional Romanian sarmale, delicious cabbage rolls filled with meat and rice, cooked in a rich tomato sauce. Perfect for family dinners!
Make sure to use a large enough pot to prevent the cabbage rolls from overcrowding during cooking.
Prep Time
30 min
Cook Time
90 min
Total Time
120 min
Servings
Ingredients
Directions
- 1
Remove the core from the cabbage and boil the whole head in salted water until the leaves soften, about 10-15 minutes.
- 2
In a large bowl, mix ground pork, rice, chopped onion, grated carrots, tomato paste, thyme, salt, pepper, and dill.
- 3
Carefully peel off the cabbage leaves, and spoon about 2 tablespoons of filling onto each leaf, rolling tightly.
- 4
In a large pot, heat olive oil and layer any leftover cabbage leaves on the bottom, then arrange the rolled cabbage on top.
- 5
Pour water over the rolls, cover, and simmer on low heat for about 90 minutes until cooked through.
- 6
Serve hot with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of fresh dill on top for added flavor.
Chef's Essential Tip
Essential for Delicious Cabbage Rolls Cooked in Tomato Sauce
A pro tip matched to this dish — not a generic kitchen shortcut.
After searing, add wine, stock, or water and scrape the fond. It dissolves into a quick pan sauce that ties the whole dish together.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving
fat
15g
carbs
30g
fiber
3g
sodium
600mg
protein
20g
calories
350



