Stuffed cabbage rolls without the leaves served with polenta

To prepare a delicious minced meat dish that will delight the taste buds of your loved ones, we need simple yet flavorful ingredients. We start with 800 grams of minced meat, a savory combination of pork and beef, to which we add a bit of smoked bacon for extra flavor. This recipe is perfect for a cozy dinner but also for impressing guests.

The first step is to take care of the onion. We take two medium-sized onions, which we chop finely. In a large pan, we put a few tablespoons of oil and let it heat up. We add the chopped onion and sauté it over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it becomes translucent and takes on a golden appearance. This process will release wonderful aromas throughout the kitchen.

While the onion is frying, we take care of the rice. I prefer to let the rice swell in warm water for about 20 minutes. After the onion is ready, we add a cup of rice to the pan, mixing well. We let the rice absorb the flavors of the onion for a few minutes, which will give it a special taste.

In a large bowl, we combine the minced meat, the sautéed onion with the rice, and two well-beaten eggs. The latter will bind all the ingredients together, providing a pleasant texture. We season with salt, pepper, and, to taste, add freshly chopped parsley and dill. The resulting mixture should be homogeneous and aromatic, so it is important to ensure that all the ingredients are well integrated.

After preparing the mixture, we put it in a baking dish, leveling the surface. Here comes another essential element: the tomato sauce. We mix the tomato sauce with a bit of meat broth, so we achieve a fluid yet rich consistency. This sauce will add moisture to the dish and enhance the flavors.

We cover the mixture in the dish with the tomato sauce and place the dish in the preheated oven at 180 degrees Celsius. We let it bake for about an hour. In the last 15 minutes, when the dish is almost ready, we add cream on top, which will create a fine and delicious crust.

After the time has expired, we take the dish out of the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This recipe is an ideal choice for a family meal, where each portion will be savored to the last grain of rice. Enjoy your meal!