Easy, Cozy Lentil and Rice Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe
Easy, cozy lentil and rice stuffed cabbage rolls are the ultimate comfort food. After making this hearty winter dish dozens of times, I’ve discovered the perfect trick for tender, golden cabbage rolls that are better than takeout. Keep reading for my best tips, or jump straight to the recipe card. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Pecan Apple Crisp Coffee Cake Recipe for Breakfast and Juicy Greek Chicken Burgers with Tzatziki Sauce.
Why This Easy, Cozy Lentil and Rice Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe Is Pure Comfort
- Golden, tender cabbage rolls filled with a savory lentil and rice mixture
- Cozy, hearty, and perfect for chilly winter nights
- Better than takeout and a family favorite
- Easy to make and freezes well for meal prep
What You'll Need for Easy, Cozy 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 lb ground beef
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 2 cups beef broth
- Optional: Fresh parsley, chopped
- Optional: Greek yogurt or sour cream, for serving
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- cabbage: Choose a large, firm head of cabbage for the best results.
- ground beef: You can substitute ground turkey or a mix of ground meats if desired.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Instant Pot — Saves time and ensures even cooking → See on Amazon
- Meat thermometer — Prevents overcooking and ensures food safety → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy, Cozy Lentil and Rice Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe
- Prepare the cabbage: Carefully remove the core from the cabbage and separate the leaves. Set aside.
- Cook the filling: In a large pot, combine lentils, rice, beef, onion, garlic, thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook over medium heat until beef is browned. Add diced tomatoes and beef broth. Simmer for 20 minutes.
- Stuff the cabbage: Fill each cabbage leaf with a generous spoonful of the lentil and rice mixture. Roll tightly and place seam-side down in a large pot.
- Cook the cabbage rolls: Pour the remaining filling mixture over the cabbage rolls. Add water to cover if needed. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy, Cozy Lentil and Rice Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overstuff the cabbage leaves. They should still roll tightly to prevent the filling from falling out during cooking.
- Pro tip: For even cooking, make sure the cabbage rolls are arranged in a single layer in the pot.
- Pro tip: To prevent the cabbage rolls from sticking to the pot, lightly grease the bottom with olive oil before adding the rolls.
Storing & Reheating Easy, Cozy 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: Cabbage rolls can be assembled up to 1 day ahead and refrigerated before cooking
Freezing Easy, Cozy Lentil and Rice Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe
Freeze cooked cabbage rolls for up to 3 months
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a vegetarian version, omit the ground beef and add an extra cup of lentils.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the ground beef with ground turkey or a mix of ground meats.
- Make-ahead: Cabbage rolls can be assembled up to 1 day ahead and refrigerated before cooking.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to suit your needs.
- Troubleshooting: If the cabbage rolls are sticking to the pot, try using a non-stick pot or lightly greasing the bottom before adding the rolls.
Want to level up this recipe?
Slow cooker — Hands-off cooking for tender, flavorful cabbage rolls → Check price on Amazon
Easy, Cozy Lentil and Rice Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 large head cabbage
- 1 cup green lentils
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
Seasonings
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 2 cups beef broth
Optional Toppings
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Greek yogurt or sour cream, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the cabbage: Carefully remove the core from the cabbage and separate the leaves. Set aside.
- Cook the filling: In a large pot, combine lentils, rice, beef, onion, garlic, thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook over medium heat until beef is browned. Add diced tomatoes and beef broth. Simmer for 20 minutes.
- Stuff the cabbage: Fill each cabbage leaf with a generous spoonful of the lentil and rice mixture. Roll tightly and place seam-side down in a large pot.
- Cook the cabbage rolls: Pour the remaining filling mixture over the cabbage rolls. Add water to cover if needed. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a vegetarian version, omit the ground beef and add an extra cup of lentils.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the ground beef with ground turkey or a mix of ground meats.
- Make-ahead: Cabbage rolls can be assembled up to 1 day ahead and refrigerated before cooking.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to suit your needs.
- Troubleshooting: If the cabbage rolls are sticking to the pot, try using a non-stick pot or lightly greasing the bottom before adding the rolls.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days
- Freezer: Freeze cooked cabbage rolls for up to 3 months
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes
- Make ahead: Cabbage rolls can be assembled up to 1 day ahead and refrigerated before cooking
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 380
- Protein: 25g
- Fat: 12g
- Carbs: 45g
- Fiber: 10g
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Cholesterol: 50mg
- Sat. Fat: 5g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy, Cozy Lentil and Rice Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe FAQs
Yes, cabbage rolls can be assembled up to 1 day ahead and refrigerated before cooking. This makes them perfect for meal prep.
Overcooking is the most common reason for dry cabbage rolls. Make sure to simmer them for the recommended time and add water to cover if needed.
Yes, cooked cabbage rolls can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Yes, place the stuffed cabbage rolls in the slow cooker, pour the remaining filling mixture over the top, and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
Ground turkey or a mix of ground meats can be used as a substitute for ground beef in this recipe.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy, Cozy 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!
