Tender Crock Pot Cabbage Rolls (Printer-Friendly)

Savory cabbage leaves stuffed with beef, pork, and rice, cooked low and slow in tomato sauce for ultimate comfort.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 head green cabbage
02 - 0.5 cup water

→ Grains

03 - 0.75 cup cooked white or brown rice

→ Meats

04 - 0.5 pound lean ground beef (93% lean)
05 - 0.5 pound ground pork

→ Herbs and Spices

06 - 1.5 tablespoons onion powder
07 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
08 - 1 teaspoon salt
09 - 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
10 - 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
11 - 0.5 teaspoon sugar

→ Canned Goods

12 - 1 (10 ounce) can tomato soup
13 - 1 (15 ounce) can crushed tomatoes

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Rinse the green cabbage and cut around the core to remove it. Place the cabbage core side up in a microwave-safe bowl with a lid, add 0.5 cup water, cover with a paper towel, and microwave on high for 5 minutes. Flip the cabbage, cover again, and microwave for an additional 10 minutes.
02 - In a medium bowl, stir together cooked rice, lean ground beef, ground pork, onion powder, parsley, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper until well incorporated. Set aside.
03 - In a separate bowl, combine tomato soup, crushed tomatoes, and sugar. Mix thoroughly and set aside.
04 - Once cooled, carefully remove 6-8 large cabbage leaves from the head. Pat dry with paper towels. Cut out the thick center stem from each leaf half, creating two halves per leaf.
05 - Place one cabbage leaf half flat on a surface. Spoon 1.5 tablespoons of the meat mixture near one end. Fold the short end over the filling, tuck in the sides, and roll up tightly. Repeat with remaining leaves and filling.
06 - Lightly spray the inside of the slow cooker with non-stick spray. Spread 1 cup of the tomato sauce mixture evenly on the bottom. Arrange a single layer of cabbage rolls over the sauce. If necessary, add more sauce on top and layer additional rolls. Pour remaining sauce over the top.
07 - Cover and cook on low for approximately 6 hours or until the internal temperature of the rolls reaches 165°F (74°C).

# Extra Suggestions:

01 - Microwaving the cabbage softens leaves and facilitates easier rolling. Alternatively, boil the whole head for 10 minutes.
02 - The rice must be cooked before mixing with meat to ensure even cooking and prevent crunchiness.
03 - Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 2 days or frozen for 3 months in a covered container.

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