Stuffed cabbage rolls, Halupki or Pigs in the Blanket – for many Western Pennsylvanians- remind us of church festivals, fairs, neighbors from our childhood, and grandparents. I’m not going to lie, the little old Polish ladies make them the best! Halupki can easily be made as a soup, a casserole, or the traditional stuffed cabbage rolls! How much time do you have? With the same ingredients, you can make stuffed cabbage three ways! The only variable is the additon of whole tomatoes. Leave them out for the rolls!

Enjoy!

The cabbage rolls are the most work because of the cabbage leaf boil step. You pick how much time you have! No time- soup let it cook all day! Same taste!
The cabbage rolls are the most work because of the cabbage leaf boiling step.

Stuffed Cabbage
Ingredients:

1 head cabbage
1lb. lean ground beef and/or ground pork mix
1/2 cup uncooked rice
1 28oz. can tomato sauce (keep 1 cup for a sauce for the casserole and the rolls)
1 35oz. can whole tomatoes (except for the rolls)
1 small onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup sauerkraut and extra 1/2 cup shredded cabbage (kept aside for casserole)
Salt/pepper

Directions:
For Soup:

Shred or chop with a knife. I draw blood every time I use my box grater.
Shred or chop with a knife. I draw blood every time I use my box grater.

Shred cabbage and throw all ingredients in the crockpot!

Cook 8 hours on high!

The Stuffed Cabbage Soup is amazing and takes no time to prep! Let it cook all day! No babysitting required!
The Stuffed Cabbage Soup is amazing and takes no time to prep! Let it cook all day! No babysitting required!

For casserole:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cook rice according to the package.

Brown beef and/or pork in a pan with the onions.

Mix sauerkraut, and cabbage together in a bowl.

Mix tomato sauce and tomatoes in a bowl.

In a 9×13 pan-“lasagna style” -layer ingredients, starting with tomato sauce.

Cover sauce with shreded cabbage mixture, a layer of meat and top with tomato sauce, salt and pepper. Repeat layers until pan is 3/4 full. End with 1/2 cup cabbage on top.(2-3 times)

Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes.

Serve with a spoon or a fork! The casserole can go either way! Don't add too much tomato sauce. Remember, you can and should serve the stuffed cabbage casserole with sauce on the side!
Serve with a spoon or a fork! The casserole can go either way! Don’t add too much tomato sauce. Remember, you can and should serve the stuffed cabbage casserole with sauce on the side!

For cabbage rolls:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Boil 12-15 cabbage leaves until wilted and softened.

When cool, cut leafy sides from hard stem .

Cook rice according to the package.

Brown beef and/or pork in a pan with the onions.

Mix sauerkraut, and cabbage together in a bowl.

Line a 9X13 baking dish with tomto sauce, 1/2 cup shredded cabbage and 1/2 cup sauerkraut.

Set up an assembly line and spoon rice meat mixtures on leaf.

Salt and pepper.

Roll away from you, fold over the right side, then the left, creating an envelope roll.

Line them in the pan and top with tomato mixture.

Salt and pepper again.

Cover with foil and bake 45 minutes-1 hour or until sauce is bubbling and rolls are cooked through.

I do top mine with fresh grated Parmesan! I don't think it's Polish ; )
I always serve stuffed cabbage dinners with fresh grated Parmesan and a beautiful loaf of ciabatta.  I don’t think that’s Polish ; )

Enjoy!
Ciao!