Vegan Cabbage Rolls with homemade spicy, smokey tomato sauce

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Cabbage rolls are such a simple meal. They are easy to make & a common dinner  in most homes. These are a little different than the cabbage rolls your mother used to make. I top these cabbage rolls in my homemade tomato sauce that's a bit spicy and smokey thanks to the paprika in my recipe. There are a few ways to customize this recipe. If you don't like it spicy, use plain diced tomatoes. Make it your own! 

Looking for Vegan Family Style Meals? Try my Family Style Dinner, Kale Stuffed Eggplant Parm, Vegan Family Breakfast, Baked Spinach & Artichoke Pasta, Cheezy Butternut Pasta, Vegan Chick'n Casserole, 3 Cheeze Ziti Al Forno, & Summer Berry Cobbler

Recipe :

Tomato Sauce-

Olive oil 

3 Tbsp. diced onion

1/2 cup veggie broth 

1 tsp. smoked paprika 

1 (14 oz.) Can of diced tomatoes with green chilies (use plain if you don't want it spicy)

1/4 cup tomato paste 

Salt & pepper to taste 

Cabbage Rolls -

8 cabbage leaves

8 oz. Mushrooms 

1 small red pepper, diced

1 small purple onion, diced 

2 cups cooked quinoa (or rice)

1 tsp. Italian seasoning 

Salt & pepper to taste 

Method :

Preheat oven to 350°

1. Prepare the cabbage leaves:

Remove tough stem from cabbage leaves with a sharp knife and steam for about 6-8 minutes until softened, but not mushy. Don't over cook the cabbage. It will cook some more in the oven. You just want it soft enough to work with when stuffing & rolling the cabbage. 

Set cabbage leaves aside to cool.

2. Make the sauce:

 In a skillet over medium heat, sautée 3 Tbsp. of onion in a bit of olive oil until soft and translucent.

Add diced tomatoes, tomato paste, veggie broth, paprika, salt and pepper. Heat through. 

Add warm tomatoes to blender and puree until smooth. 

3. Prepare the filling:

Cook mushrooms, onions and peppers in a skillet over medium heat with Italian seasoning.

Remove from heat and add quinoa (or rice) & 1/2 cup of tomato sauce to mushrooms . Mix well. 

4. Assemble:

Place 1/8 of mushroom & quinoa on each cabbage leaf.

Fold both ends of the cabbage over the filling. Roll tightly, like a burrito, sealing off the filling. 

Place cabbage rolls into a greased casserole dish and top with sauce.

5. Bake:

Bake 20 minutes. 

Makes 4 servings.