A substantial dish that is guaranteed to delight is created by combining wonderful meatballs, aromatic cabbage, and savory spices. This supper does not need any frying and may be prepared with little effort. It is ideal for those evenings when you want a supper that is both comfortable and does not need a lot of preparation. To create it, follow these steps:
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
– 1 pound ground beef
– 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
– 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– 1/4 cup milk
– 1 large egg
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 small onion, finely chopped
– 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (or 1 teaspoon dried)
– 1 teaspoon salt
– 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For the Casserole:
– 1 medium head of cabbage, chopped
– 1 large onion, sliced
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
– 1 cup beef broth
– 1 cup tomato sauce
– 1 teaspoon dried thyme
– 1 teaspoon paprika
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
Preparing the Meatballs:
Preparing the Meatballs:
1. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, milk, egg, minced garlic, chopped onion, parsley, salt, and pepper.
2. Mix well until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
3. Form the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.
Cooking the Meatballs:
4. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat.
5. Add the meatballs in batches and cook until they are browned on all sides. They don’t need to be cooked through, as they will cook further in the casserole.
6. Remove the browned meatballs from the skillet and set them aside.
Preparing the Casserole:
7. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
8. In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
9. Add the sliced onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
10. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute.
11. Stir in the chopped cabbage, diced tomatoes (with their juice), beef broth, tomato sauce, thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper.
12. Cook for about 10 minutes, until the cabbage starts to soften.
Assembling and Baking:
13. In a large baking dish, spread half of the cabbage mixture on the bottom.
14. Arrange the browned meatballs on top of the cabbage layer.
15. Cover the meatballs with the remaining cabbage mixture.
16. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil.
Baking:
17. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, until the meatballs are cooked through and the cabbage is tender.
18. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes to allow the top to brown slightly.
Serving:
19. Let the casserole rest for a few minutes before serving.
20. Serve hot, garnished with additional chopped parsley if desired.
Enjoy your hearty and comforting Casserole with Meatballs and Cabbage!