Golabki (Cabbage Rolls)

Steps

1. 1
   Step 1:

   Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.

2. 2
   Step 2:

   Place the cabbage head in the water, cover the pot, and cook until the leaves soften enough to remove, about 3 minutes.

   3 min
3. 3
   Step 3:

   Remove the cabbage from the pot and let it cool until the leaves are safe to handle, about 10 minutes.

   10 min
4. 4
   Step 4:

   Remove 18 whole leaves from the cabbage head, cutting out any thick, tough center ribs. Set the leaves aside.

5. 5
   Step 5:

   Chop the remaining cabbage and spread it over the bottom of a casserole dish.

6. 6
   Step 6:

   Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

7. 7
   Step 7:

   Cook and stir the onion in the hot butter until tender, 5 to 10 minutes. Let cool.

   5–10 min
8. 8
   Step 8:

   Stir the onion, ground beef, ground pork, rice, garlic, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper together in a large bowl.

9. 9
   Step 9:

   Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

10. 10
    Step 10:

    Place about 1/2 cup of the beef mixture on each cabbage leaf.

11. 11
    Step 11:

    Roll the cabbage around the beef mixture, tucking in the sides to form an envelope. Repeat with the remaining leaves and meat mixture.

12. 12
    Step 12:

    Arrange the cabbage rolls in one layer over the chopped cabbage in the casserole dish. Season the rolls with salt and black pepper.

13. 13
    Step 13:

    Whisk the tomato soup, tomato juice, and ketchup together in a bowl.

14. 14
    Step 14:

    Pour the tomato soup mixture over the cabbage rolls and cover the dish with aluminum foil.

15. 15
    Step 15:

    Bake in the preheated oven until the cabbage is tender and the meat is cooked through, about 1 hour.

    1 h