Description
Vegetarian Stuffed Cabbage Rolls: A cozy, meatless dinner featuring tender cabbage leaves filled with a hearty lentil and rice mixture, simmered in a rich tomato sauce. This plant-based, protein-packed main course is perfect for family dinners, meal prep, and meatless Mondays.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 large head green cabbage
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup cooked lentils (brown or green)
- ½ cup uncooked white or brown rice
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 can (14.5 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp sugar or maple syrup (optional)
- Optional garnish: chopped parsley or dill
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Carefully remove cabbage core and boil cabbage for 5–7 minutes until leaves soften. Peel off leaves and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion for 3–4 minutes until soft, then add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
- Stir in lentils, rice, paprika, oregano, cumin, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Spoon filling into each cabbage leaf, roll tightly, and tuck in the sides.
- In a bowl, mix crushed tomatoes, vegetable broth, tomato paste, and sugar if using.
- Place cabbage rolls seam-side down in a pot or deep skillet. Pour tomato sauce over rolls.
- Cover and simmer on low for 40–45 minutes until rice is tender and rolls are fully cooked.
- Garnish and serve warm.
Notes
- Tip: Choose large, sturdy leaves to make rolling easier; trim thick ribs if needed.
- Leftovers refrigerate well for 3–4 days; store in an airtight container.
- To freeze, arrange rolls on a tray to freeze individually, then transfer to a freezer bag.
- Garnish with chopped parsley or dill for a fresh finish.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop simmer
- Cuisine: Eastern European
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 170 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 3.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: Vegetarian Stuffed Cabbage Rolls, lentil stuffed cabbage, plant-based cabbage rolls, meatless dinner, cabbage rolls recipe, 2-step dinner, easy vegetarian dinner, cabbage roll recipe