Easy Lentil and Rice Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe
Easy Lentil and Rice Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe. Hearty, comforting, and better than takeout. After making this many times, I discovered the trick to perfectly cooked, tender cabbage rolls every time. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Roasted Garlic Recipe and Easy Meal Prep Farro Salad.
Why This Easy Lentil and Rice Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe Is Pure Comfort
- Hearty and filling
- Better than takeout
- Easy to make ahead
- Freezes well
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.
- Cabbage
- Lentils
- Rice
- Onion
- Garlic
- Tomato sauce
- Vegetable broth
- Salt
- Pepper
- Paprika
- Cumin
- Basil
- Oregano
- Optional: Fresh parsley
- Optional: Grated Parmesan
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Lentils: Green or brown lentils work best.
- Rice: Long grain white or brown rice can be used.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Instant Pot — Cooks lentils and rice perfectly in minutes. → See on Amazon
- Food processor — Saves time chopping vegetables. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Lentil and Rice Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe
- Prepare the filling: Cook lentils and rice according to package instructions. Sauté onion and garlic, add spices, tomato sauce, and vegetable broth. Stir in cooked lentils and rice.
- Prepare the cabbage: Remove core from cabbage and separate leaves. Boil leaves for 5 minutes to soften.
- Stuff the cabbage: Place a spoonful of filling in each cabbage leaf, fold sides over filling, and roll up tightly.
- Assemble and bake: Place stuffed cabbage rolls in a baking dish, pour remaining sauce over top, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 45-50 minutes.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Lentil and Rice Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overfill the cabbage leaves. They will split during cooking. Use about 1-2 tablespoons of filling per leaf.
- Pro tip: For even cooking, place stuffed cabbage rolls seam-side down in the baking dish.
- Pro tip: To make ahead, assemble cabbage rolls, refrigerate, then bake as directed when ready to serve.
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 for up to 5 days. Make-ahead tip: Can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to bake.
Freezing Easy Lentil and Rice Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe
Freeze cooked cabbage rolls for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 20-25 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, then flip and heat for another 2-3 minutes.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicier version, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the filling.
- Best substitution: Quinoa can be used instead of rice for a gluten-free version.
- Make-ahead: Stuffed cabbage rolls can be frozen before or after cooking. See storage notes for details.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If cabbage rolls are still hard after cooking, they may need to cook longer. Check for doneness by piercing with a fork.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality baking dish — Ensures even cooking and prevents burning. → Check price on Amazon
Easy Lentil and Rice Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Cabbage
- Lentils
- Rice
- Onion
- Garlic
- Tomato sauce
- Vegetable broth
Seasonings
- Salt
- Pepper
- Paprika
- Cumin
- Basil
- Oregano
Optional Toppings
- Fresh parsley
- Grated Parmesan
Instructions
- Prepare the filling: Cook lentils and rice according to package instructions. Sauté onion and garlic, add spices, tomato sauce, and vegetable broth. Stir in cooked lentils and rice.
- Prepare the cabbage: Remove core from cabbage and separate leaves. Boil leaves for 5 minutes to soften.
- Stuff the cabbage: Place a spoonful of filling in each cabbage leaf, fold sides over filling, and roll up tightly.
- Assemble and bake: Place stuffed cabbage rolls in a baking dish, pour remaining sauce over top, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 45-50 minutes.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicier version, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the filling.
- Best substitution: Quinoa can be used instead of rice for a gluten-free version.
- Make-ahead: Stuffed cabbage rolls can be frozen before or after cooking. See storage notes for details.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If cabbage rolls are still hard after cooking, they may need to cook longer. Check for doneness by piercing with a fork.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked cabbage rolls for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 20-25 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, then flip and heat for another 2-3 minutes.
- Make ahead: Can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to bake.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 18g
- Fat: 5g
- Carbs: 55g
- Fiber: 12g
- Sugar: 6g
- 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
Yes, stuffed cabbage rolls can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to bake. See storage notes for details.
Cabbage rolls may fall apart if they are overfilled or not rolled tightly enough. Use about 1-2 tablespoons of filling per leaf and roll tightly to prevent this.
Yes, cooked or uncooked stuffed cabbage rolls can be frozen. See storage notes for details.
Yes, place stuffed cabbage rolls in the slow cooker, pour sauce over top, and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
Stuffed cabbage rolls pair well with a side of garlic bread, a green salad, or roasted vegetables.
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!
