Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

(Serves: 6)

Ingredients:

For the tomato sauce:

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes (do not drain)
• 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar substitute (Truvia or Swerve work)
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

For the cabbage rolls:

• 1 pound ground beef (ground chicken or turkey will also work)
• 1 cup precooked brown rice
• 1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves, chopped and divided
• 1 egg
• 1 head cabbage
• Cooking spray

Instructions:

Sauce:

1. Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 4-5 minutes or until translucent.
2. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, salt and pepper to the pot. Stir in the brown sugar and red wine vinegar. Bring to a simmer.
3. Cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Rolls:

1. While the sauce is simmering, prepare the cabbage rolls. Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
2. Immerse the cabbage head in the boiling water. Cook for 3-5 minutes or until cabbage leaves are pliable. Peel 12 large leaves off the cabbage.
3. Place the ground meat, rice, onion, garlic, salt, pepper, 2 tablespoons of parsley and egg in a bowl. Add 1/2 cup of the tomato sauce to the bowl. Stir to combine.
4. Lay each cabbage leaf on a flat surface. Use a small knife to cut a V-shaped notch to remove the thick part of the cabbage rib.
5. Shape 1/3 of a cup of the meat mixture into a log shape and place in the center of a cabbage leaf. Roll the cabbage leaf around the meat mixture. Repeat with remaining meat and cabbage leaves.
6. Coat a 9″x13″ pan with cooking spray. Place 1/2 of the tomato sauce in the bottom of the baking dish. Place the cabbage rolls, seam side down, in the dish. Top with remaining sauce.
7. Cover with foil. Bake for 60-90 minutes or until cabbage is tender and meat is cooked through.
8. Sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons of parsley, then serve.