Slow-Cooked Cabbage Rolls

6 Servings Prep: 20 min. Cook: 6 hours

Ingredients

1 large head cabbage

1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce

3/4 cup quick-cooking rice

1/2 cup chopped green pepper

1/2 cup crushed saltines (about 15 crackers)

1 egg, lightly beaten

1 ounce onion soup mix

1-1/2 pounds lean ground beef (90% lean)

1 can (46 ounces) V8 juice

Salt to taste

Grated Parmesan cheese, optional

Directions

Cook cabbage in boiling water just until leaves fall off head. Set aside 12 large leaves for rolls; drain well. (Refrigerate remaining cabbage for another use.) Cut out the thick vein from the bottom of each reserved leaf, making a V-shaped cut; set aside.

In a large bowl, combine the tomato sauce, rice, green pepper, cracker crumbs, egg and soup mix. Crumble beef over mixture and mix well.

Place about 1/3 cup meat mixture on each cabbage leaf; overlap cut ends of leaf. Fold in sides, beginning from the cut end. Roll up completely to enclose filling. Secure with toothpicks if desired.

Place cabbage rolls in a 3-qt. slow cooker. Pour V8 juice over rolls. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or until filling reaches 160°. Just before serving, sprinkle with salt and cheese if desired. Yield: 6 servings.