Baked Cabbage Rolls with Creamy Cheese Sauce

 

Ingredients

• ​The Rolls: 1 large head of green cabbage, 1 lb ground beef/pork mix, 1 cup cooked rice, 1 onion (diced), 2 cloves garlic, 1 egg, salt, pepper, and paprika.
• ​The Sauce: 2 tbsp butter, 2 tbsp flour, 2 cups milk, 1.5 cups shredded cheese (Mozzarella or sharp cheddar), and fresh parsley for garnish.

​Quick Instructions

1. ​Prep Cabbage: Boil the whole cored cabbage for 5–8 minutes until leaves soften and peel off easily.
2. ​Fill & Roll: Mix meat, rice, onion, garlic, egg, and spices. Place 2 tbsp of filling on each leaf, roll tightly, and place in a baking dish.
3. ​Make Sauce: Melt butter, whisk in flour for 1 minute, then slowly add milk until thick. Stir in 1 cup of cheese.
4. ​Bake: Pour sauce over rolls. Cover and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 45 minutes. Uncover, add remaining cheese, and broil until golden brown.

​2. Hearty "Poor Man’s" Ground Beef Stew

​The second image is a classic Ground Beef and Potato Stew, often called "Poor Man's Stew" because it uses affordable ground beef instead of expensive stew chunks.

​Ingredients

• ​Protein: 1 lb ground beef.
• ​Vegetables: 4 large potatoes (cubed), 3–4 carrots (sliced), 1 onion (diced), 1 green or red bell pepper (diced).
• ​Liquid/Flavor: 4 cups beef broth, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tbsp tomato paste, and salt/pepper to taste.

​Quick Instructions

1. ​Brown Meat: Cook ground beef and onion in a large pot until no longer pink; drain excess grease.
2. ​Combine: Add potatoes, carrots, bell peppers, tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce.
3. ​Simmer: Pour in beef broth until vegetables are covered. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer covered for 25–30 minutes or until potatoes are fork-tender.
4. ​Thicken (Optional): If you prefer a thicker stew, mash a few of the cooked potatoes directly into the broth.