Welcome to a recipe that brings all the comforting flavors of traditional Eastern European cabbage rolls without the time-consuming work! These Lazy Golubtsy, or 'lazy cabbage rolls,' are a brilliant shortcut to a beloved classic. Instead of carefully wrapping filling in cabbage leaves, we simply mix everything together and bake it in a rich, creamy tomato sauce. This dish combines tender chicken, fluffy rice, and finely shredded vegetables into savory patties that are pan-seared for a golden crust and then baked to perfection. It's the ultimate comfort food, perfect for a cozy family dinner any night of the week.
Lazy Cabbage Rolls with Rice and Chicken in the Oven
Ingredients for Baked Lazy Cabbage Rolls with Rice and Chicken in Tomato Sauce
- 450 g chicken fillet
- 160 g cooked rice
- 300 g white cabbage
- 75 g hard cheese
- 100 g celery
- 70 g onion
- 1/2 sweet bell pepper
- 80 g breadcrumbs
- 5 g smoked paprika
- salt, oil for frying
For the tomato sauce:
- 200 g smetana (a type of sour cream)
- 50 ml filtered water
- 180 g tomatoes
- 4 g curry powder
- salt
How to Make Baked Lazy Cabbage Rolls with Rice and Chicken in Tomato Sauce
Roughly chop the chicken fillet, place it in a blender, and add smoked paprika or red pepper. Mince the meat in the blender or pass it through a meat grinder twice.
Grinding chicken fillet with spices
Next, roughly chop the white cabbage, grate it, or shred it in the blender as well.
Slicing the cabbage
It’s essential to add aromatic vegetables to the golubtsy (traditional cabbage rolls); they help neutralize the cabbage smell that not everyone enjoys. Celery stalks and, of course, onion are perfect for this. Mince these vegetables just like the cabbage.
Chopping celery stalks and onion
In a deep bowl or pot, combine the minced meat, cabbage, onion, and celery, along with cold cooked rice. Season with salt to taste and freshly ground black pepper, then mix thoroughly.
Adding cooked rice and mixing the mince
Add grated cheese and finely chopped sweet bell pepper (seeds and membranes removed) to the mixture for the lazy golubtsy.
Adding cheese and sweet pepper to the mince
With wet hands, form large rolls, and coat them in breadcrumbs.
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In a preheated pan with refined oil, fry the rolls for a couple of minutes on each side until golden brown. Odorless vegetable or olive oil is suitable.
Place small cabbage leaves or strips in a baking dish and arrange the golubtsy on top.
Placing the fried golubtsy on a cabbage leaf in a baking dish
Now, let’s make the sauce. In a blender, combine finely chopped tomatoes, add smetana (a type of sour cream), filtered water, salt, and sugar to taste. Sprinkle in curry powder and blend the ingredients until smooth.
Preparing the sauce for the golubtsy
Pour the sauce into the baking dish; it should cover the rolls about halfway.
Pouring the sauce into the baking dish
Preheat the oven to 160°C (320°F). Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes.
Baking the golubtsy in the oven
Serve the golubtsy on a plate, drizzle with tomato sauce, and sprinkle with parsley. Serve hot.
Finished baked lazy cabbage rolls with rice and chicken in tomato sauce
And there you have it—a wonderfully satisfying and easy-to-make dish that's sure to become a family favorite! These Lazy Golubtsy are best served hot, straight from the oven, with a generous spoonful of the creamy tomato sauce they were baked in. For an extra touch of tradition, add a dollop of sour cream or smetana on top. They also reheat beautifully, making them a great option for meal prep. We hope you enjoy this taste of home-style comfort cooking. Bon appétit!
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