Easy Lentil and Rice Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe

Easy Lentil and Rice Stuffed Cabbage Rolls are a comforting, hearty meal that’s ready in just 45 minutes. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to perfectly tender cabbage leaves and a flavorful filling. The cozy, warm spices make this dish a perfect fit for chilly winter nights. Try serving it with my Fresh Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad for a balanced meal. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Grilled Shrimp and Avocado Bowl Recipe and Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Skillet with Spinach.

What You'll Need for Easy Lentil and Rice Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe

Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.

• 1 large head cabbage
• 1 cup green lentils
• 1 cup long grain rice
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• Optional: Chopped fresh parsley
• Optional: Lemon wedges

How to Make Easy Lentil and Rice Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe

1. Prepare the cabbage: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Carefully separate the cabbage leaves, trim the thick vein from the base of each leaf, and blanch them in the boiling water for 2-3 minutes. Drain and set aside.
2. Cook the filling: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, and cook until softened. Add lentils, rice, diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, cumin, paprika, salt, pepper, and cayenne (if using). Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes or until lentils and rice are tender.
3. Stuff the cabbage: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place a spoonful of the filling onto each cabbage leaf, fold the sides over the filling, and roll up tightly. Place seam-side down in a baking dish.
4. Bake: Pour any remaining filling and vegetable broth over the cabbage rolls. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cabbage rolls are tender and heated through.

Storing & Reheating Easy Lentil and Rice Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe

Short-Term Storage

Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Make-ahead tip: You can assemble the cabbage rolls up to 24 hours ahead of time. Store in the fridge until ready to bake.

Freezing Easy Lentil and Rice Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe

Freeze leftover cabbage rolls in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through.

How to Reheat Without Drying It Out

Oven: Reheat leftovers in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through. Microwave: Reheat leftovers in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through.

Recipe Notes

• Chef tip: To make this recipe vegetarian, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
• Best substitution: You can substitute the lentils with cooked quinoa or bulgur.
• Make-ahead: See 'Storage' section for make-ahead tips.
• Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to feed a crowd.
• Troubleshooting: If your cabbage rolls are dry, add a little more vegetable broth when reheating.

Easy Lentil and Rice Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe

⏱

Prep

30 mins

🍳

Cook

25-30 mins

⏳

Total

55-60 mins

🍽

Serves

6 servings

🥗

Diet

Vegetarian

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 1 large head cabbage
• 1 cup green lentils
• 1 cup long grain rice
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes

Seasonings

• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cups vegetable broth

Optional Toppings

• Chopped fresh parsley
• Lemon wedges

Instructions

1. Prepare the cabbage: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Carefully separate the cabbage leaves, trim the thick vein from the base of each leaf, and blanch them in the boiling water for 2-3 minutes. Drain and set aside.
2. Cook the filling: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, and cook until softened. Add lentils, rice, diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, cumin, paprika, salt, pepper, and cayenne (if using). Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes or until lentils and rice are tender.
3. Stuff the cabbage: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place a spoonful of the filling onto each cabbage leaf, fold the sides over the filling, and roll up tightly. Place seam-side down in a baking dish.
4. Bake: Pour any remaining filling and vegetable broth over the cabbage rolls. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cabbage rolls are tender and heated through.

Notes

• Chef tip: To make this recipe vegetarian, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
• Best substitution: You can substitute the lentils with cooked quinoa or bulgur.
• Make-ahead: See 'Storage' section for make-ahead tips.
• Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to feed a crowd.
• Troubleshooting: If your cabbage rolls are dry, add a little more vegetable broth when reheating.

Storage

• Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Freeze leftover cabbage rolls in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through.
• Oven reheat: Reheat leftovers in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through.
• Microwave reheat: Reheat leftovers in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through.
• Make ahead: You can assemble the cabbage rolls up to 24 hours ahead of time. Store in the fridge until ready to bake.

Nutrition Per Serving

• Calories: 350
• Protein: 18g
• Fat: 8g
• Carbs: 55g
• Fiber: 12g
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sat. Fat: 1g

Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.

Easy Lentil and Rice Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe FAQs

A Warm Final Note

I can’t wait for you to try Easy Lentil and Rice Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!