🇭🇺 Hungarian Stuffed Cabbage Rolls (Töltött Káposzta)

🛒 Ingredients

For the cabbage rolls:

• 1 large head of cabbage (or 1 jar of sauerkraut leaves)
• 500 g ground pork (or pork + beef mix)
• 1/2 cup uncooked rice
• 1 small onion (finely chopped)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp salt

For the sauce:

• 2 tbsp oil or lard
• 1 onion (chopped)
• 2 tbsp Hungarian paprika
• 2 cups sauerkraut (rinsed, optional)
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 can crushed tomatoes (400 g)
• 2–3 cups water or broth
• 1 bay leaf
• 100 g smoked sausage (sliced)
• 100 g smoked bacon (optional)

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👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Prepare the cabbage

• Carefully remove cabbage leaves and blanch them in boiling water for a few minutes until soft.
• Trim the thick stems to make rolling easier.

2. Make the filling

• In a bowl, mix ground meat, rice, onion, garlic, egg, paprika, salt, and pepper.

3. Roll the cabbage

• Place a spoonful of filling on each leaf.
• Fold sides inward and roll tightly like a wrap.

4. Prepare the base

• Heat oil in a large pot and sauté chopped onion until soft.
• Remove from heat, stir in paprika (don’t burn it).
• Add sauerkraut and spread evenly.

5. Cook the rolls

• Place cabbage rolls on top of the sauerkraut.
• Add smoked sausage and bacon between layers.
• Mix tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, and water, then pour over everything.
• Add bay leaf.

6. Simmer

• Cover and cook on low heat for 1.5 to 2 hours until tender