Hungarian Cabbage Casserole

Name: Hungarian Cabbage Casserole
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: German, Polish
Ingredients: 2 whole Garlic; 2 whole Green Cabbage; 1 lb Ground Pork; 1 tbsp Paprika; 1 whole Red Onion; 0.5 tsp Salt & Pepper; 2 cups Sour Cream; 2 tbsp Vegetable Oil; 0.33 cup Water; 0.75 cup White Rice

Dinner 🍽️Lunch 🥪 German 🇩🇪Polish 🇵🇱 High-Protein 💪Low-Sodium Gluten-Free Comfort-Food

Hungarian Cabbage Casserole layers tender Savoy leaves with paprika-laced ground pork and soft white rice, then tops it all with a tangy, creamy sour cream finish. Each bite balances gentle heat, mellow sweetness from cabbage and onion, and satisfying richness. Serve it for a cozy family dinner or a comforting weekend meal that warms the table.

Prep30 mins
Cook1 hr
Serves4
DifficultyMedium

1

Separate the cabbage leaves, rinse them, and remove the hard ribs by cutting closely along both sides of the center ribs on each leaf with a sharp knife; discard the ribs. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the cabbage leaves and cook until tender, 15 to 20 minutes; drain.
2

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Grease an 8x11-inch baking dish.
3

Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a skillet over low heat. Add the onions, the garlic, and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring, until the onions are soft and translucent, about 3 minutes.
4

Add the pork and season with paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes. Pour in the water, cover, and simmer until most of the water has evaporated, 15 to 20 minutes.
5

Meanwhile, heat 1 teaspoon vegetable oil in a saucepan over medium heat; add the rice and toast, stirring frequently, until the grains are shiny, about 1 minute. Pour in 1 1/2 cups water and a little salt. Bring to a boil, cover the pot, and reduce the heat to low. Cook until the rice is tender and the water is absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes. Turn off the heat.
6

Line the prepared baking dish with 1/2 of the cabbage. Spread 1/2 of the cooked rice over the cabbage, then a layer of 1/2 of the cooked meat. Add another layer with 1/2 of the remaining cabbage, followed by the remaining rice and meat; cover with the remaining cabbage. Spread the sour cream evenly over the top.
7

Bake in the preheated oven until the casserole is heated through and the sour cream is starting to lightly brown, 30 to 35 minutes.