Easy Lentil and Rice Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe

If you’re craving comforting, hearty, and healthier-than-takeout cabbage rolls, this easy lentil and rice stuffed cabbage rolls recipe is your answer. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to perfectly tender cabbage leaves and flavorful filling. The result? A cozy, family-favorite dinner that’s better than takeout and ready in just 45 minutes. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Roasted Rainbow Vegetables with Fresh Herbs and Refreshing Summer Gazpacho with Shrimp Ready in 15 Minutes.

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 white rice
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 cup vegetable broth
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Paprika
• Cumin
• Red pepper flakes (optional)
• Garlic
• Onion
• Optional: Fresh parsley, chopped
• Optional: Crumbled feta cheese (optional)
• Optional: Greek yogurt or sour cream (optional)

How to Make Easy Lentil and Rice Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe

1. Prepare the cabbage leaves: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Carefully remove the core from the cabbage and separate the leaves. Blanch the leaves in the boiling water for 2-3 minutes until softened. Drain and set aside to cool.
2. Cook the filling: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, and cook until softened. Add the lentils, rice, diced tomatoes (with juice), vegetable broth, salt, black pepper, paprika, cumin, and red pepper flakes (if using). Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and let simmer for 20-25 minutes until the lentils and rice are tender. Stir occasionally.
3. Assemble the cabbage rolls: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread a thin layer of the filling mixture in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Take a cabbage leaf and trim the thick vein from the bottom of the leaf. Place 2-3 tablespoons of the filling mixture at the base of the leaf. Fold the bottom of the leaf over the filling, then fold in the sides and roll up tightly. Place the roll seam-side down in the baking dish. Repeat with remaining leaves and filling.
4. Bake the cabbage rolls: Pour the remaining filling mixture over the cabbage rolls in the baking dish. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30-35 minutes, until the cabbage rolls are tender and the filling is heated through. Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Storing & Reheating Easy Lentil and Rice Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe

Short-Term Storage

Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftover cabbage rolls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Make-ahead tip: Cabbage rolls can be assembled up to 24 hours ahead of time. Store in the refrigerator until ready to bake.

Freezing Easy Lentil and Rice Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe

Freeze cabbage rolls for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How to Reheat Without Drying It Out

Oven: Reheat cabbage rolls in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through, about 15-20 minutes. Microwave: Reheat cabbage rolls in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, until heated through. Add a little water to the dish to prevent drying out.

Recipe Notes

• Chef tip: To make the filling mixture even more flavorful, sauté the onions and garlic in a little olive oil before adding the other ingredients.
• Best substitution: Substitute the green lentils with cooked quinoa or bulgur for a different texture and flavor.
• Make-ahead: Cabbage rolls can be assembled up to 24 hours ahead of time. Store in the refrigerator until ready to bake.
• Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
• Troubleshooting: If your cabbage rolls become dry, add a little more vegetable broth or water to the baking dish and cover tightly with foil before baking.

Easy Lentil and Rice Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe

⏱

Prep

20 mins

🍳

Cook

35 mins

⏳

Total

55 mins

🍽

Serves

6 servings

🥗

Diet

Vegetarian

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 1 large head cabbage
• 1 cup green lentils
• 1 cup long grain white rice
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 cup vegetable broth
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Seasonings

• Salt
• Black pepper
• Paprika
• Cumin
• Red pepper flakes (optional)
• Garlic
• Onion

Optional Toppings

• Fresh parsley, chopped
• Crumbled feta cheese (optional)
• Greek yogurt or sour cream (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare the cabbage leaves: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Carefully remove the core from the cabbage and separate the leaves. Blanch the leaves in the boiling water for 2-3 minutes until softened. Drain and set aside to cool.
2. Cook the filling: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, and cook until softened. Add the lentils, rice, diced tomatoes (with juice), vegetable broth, salt, black pepper, paprika, cumin, and red pepper flakes (if using). Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and let simmer for 20-25 minutes until the lentils and rice are tender. Stir occasionally.
3. Assemble the cabbage rolls: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread a thin layer of the filling mixture in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Take a cabbage leaf and trim the thick vein from the bottom of the leaf. Place 2-3 tablespoons of the filling mixture at the base of the leaf. Fold the bottom of the leaf over the filling, then fold in the sides and roll up tightly. Place the roll seam-side down in the baking dish. Repeat with remaining leaves and filling.
4. Bake the cabbage rolls: Pour the remaining filling mixture over the cabbage rolls in the baking dish. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30-35 minutes, until the cabbage rolls are tender and the filling is heated through. Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

• Chef tip: To make the filling mixture even more flavorful, sauté the onions and garlic in a little olive oil before adding the other ingredients.
• Best substitution: Substitute the green lentils with cooked quinoa or bulgur for a different texture and flavor.
• Make-ahead: Cabbage rolls can be assembled up to 24 hours ahead of time. Store in the refrigerator until ready to bake.
• Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
• Troubleshooting: If your cabbage rolls become dry, add a little more vegetable broth or water to the baking dish and cover tightly with foil before baking.

Storage

• Fridge: Store leftover cabbage rolls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Freeze cabbage rolls for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Oven reheat: Reheat cabbage rolls in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through, about 15-20 minutes.
• Microwave reheat: Reheat cabbage rolls in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, until heated through. Add a little water to the dish to prevent drying out.
• Make ahead: Cabbage rolls can be assembled up to 24 hours ahead of time. Store in the refrigerator until ready to bake.

Nutrition Per Serving

• Calories: 270
• Protein: 14g
• Fat: 4g
• Carbs: 45g
• Fiber: 12g
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 700mg
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sat. Fat: 0.5g

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!