Cabbage Roll Soup (The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe)

Craving the hearty, savory flavors of classic cabbage rolls without all the work? This Cabbage Roll Soup recipe is your answer. It delivers all the traditional taste of deconstructed cabbage rolls—tender cabbage, savory ground beef, and fluffy rice simmered in a rich, tomato-based broth—all in one simple, comforting bowl. It’s the perfect easy weeknight dinner that the whole family will love.

This soup is a game-changer for busy families. It transforms a time-consuming classic into a quick and easy meal, perfect for a chilly evening. Let’s dive into how to make this incredibly satisfying dish.

Why You’ll Love This Cabbage Roll Soup Recipe

• One-Pot Wonder: Everything comes together in a single large pot or Dutch oven, making cleanup an absolute breeze.
• Quick & Easy: It’s ready in under an hour, offering the complex flavors of cabbage rolls in a fraction of the time.
• Hearty & Filling: Packed with protein, vegetables, and rice, this soup is a complete meal in itself.
• Perfect for Meal Prep: Like many soups, the flavor gets even better the next day, making it ideal for leftovers and lunches. You can check out more hearty winter recipes for other great make-ahead meals.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This deconstructed Cabbage Roll Soup uses simple, wholesome ingredients that are easy to find at any grocery store. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Ground Beef: Lean ground beef (90/10) works best to minimize grease, but ground turkey or even Italian sausage can be used.
• Onion & Garlic: These aromatics build the foundational flavor of the soup.
• Cabbage: A medium head of green cabbage, chopped, is the star of the show.
• Diced Tomatoes: A large can of diced tomatoes provides the rich, tangy base for the broth.
• Tomato Sauce: Adds depth and thickness to the soup’s texture.
• Beef Broth: Use a good quality beef broth for the best flavor. Low-sodium is a great option to control the salt level.
• Long-Grain White Rice: Uncooked rice goes right into the pot and cooks to perfection in the flavorful broth.
• Brown Sugar: A little sweetness perfectly balances the acidity of the tomatoes.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Adds a deep, savory, umami flavor.
• Seasonings: Dried parsley, salt, and black pepper are all you need to tie the flavors together.

How to Make Cabbage Roll Soup Step-by-Step

Making this soup is incredibly straightforward. Just follow these simple steps for a perfect bowl every time.

1. Brown the Beef: In a large Dutch oven or stockpot over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef with the chopped onion until the meat is browned and the onion is soft. Drain off any excess grease. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
2. Combine Ingredients: Add the beef broth, diced tomatoes (with their juice), tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar to the pot. Stir everything together until well combined.
3. Simmer the Soup: Bring the mixture to a boil, then add the chopped cabbage, uncooked rice, parsley, salt, and pepper. Stir well, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer.
4. Cook Until Tender: Let the soup simmer for about 25-30 minutes, or until the cabbage is tender and the rice is fully cooked. Be sure to stir occasionally to prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom.

Expert Tips for the Best Cabbage Roll Soup

Want to take your soup from great to absolutely unforgettable? Here are a few expert tips.

• Don’t Overcook the Cabbage: For the best texture, cook the cabbage until it’s just tender-crisp. It will continue to soften in the hot broth.
• Toast the Rice: For a nuttier flavor, you can toast the dry rice in the pot with the garlic for a minute before adding the liquids.
• Taste and Adjust: Always taste your soup before serving. You may want to add a bit more salt, a pinch of sugar, or even a dash of hot sauce to suit your preference.
• Let It Rest: Allowing the soup to rest for 10 minutes after cooking lets the flavors meld together beautifully. For another comforting classic, give this easy French onion soup recipe a try.

Delicious Variations to Try

This Cabbage Roll Soup is fantastic as is, but it’s also incredibly versatile. Here are a few ideas to customize it:

• Spicy Version: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a diced jalapeño along with the onion for a spicy kick.
• Low-Carb/Keto: Swap the rice with cauliflower rice. Add it during the last 10 minutes of cooking to ensure it doesn’t get mushy.
• Different Meats: Try it with ground turkey, ground chicken, or a spicy Italian sausage for a different flavor profile.
• Add More Veggies: Feel free to add diced carrots, celery, or bell peppers with the onions for extra nutrition and flavor.

Serving Suggestions

This soup is a hearty meal on its own, but a simple side can complete the experience. Serve it with crusty bread or warm 30-minute dinner rolls for dipping into the delicious broth. A simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing also pairs nicely, offering a fresh contrast to the rich soup.

How to Store, Freeze, and Reheat

• Storage: Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors will deepen overnight!
• Freezing: This soup freezes beautifully. Let it cool completely, then transfer it to freezer-safe containers or bags and freeze for up to 3 months. Note that the rice may soften slightly upon reheating.
• Reheating: Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat until warmed through. You may need to add a splash of beef broth to thin it out if it has thickened.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cabbage Roll Soup

Cabbage Roll Soup Recipe

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Cabbage Roll Soup (The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe)

This Cabbage Roll Soup delivers all the traditional taste of deconstructed cabbage rolls—tender cabbage, savory ground beef, and fluffy rice simmered in a rich, tomato-based broth—all in one simple, comforting bowl.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Servings: 8 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course, Soup

Cuisine: American, Eastern European

Calories: 385

Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x?

• 1.5 lbs lean ground beef 90/10 recommended
• 1 large onion chopped
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 medium head of green cabbage cored and chopped
• 28 oz can diced tomatoes undrained
• 15 oz can tomato sauce
• 6 cups beef broth low-sodium
• 1 cup long-grain white rice uncooked
• 2 tbsp brown sugar packed
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp dried parsley
• 1 tsp salt or to taste
• 0.5 tsp black pepper or to taste

Equipment

• 1 Large Dutch oven or stockpot
• 1 Cutting Board
• 1 Knife

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Method

 

1. In a large Dutch oven or stockpot over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and chopped onion until the beef is browned. Drain any excess grease. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
2. Add the beef broth, undrained diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar to the pot. Stir to combine.
3. Bring the soup to a boil. Stir in the chopped cabbage, uncooked rice, dried parsley, salt, and pepper.
4. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage is tender and the rice is fully cooked.
5. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed. Let the soup rest for a few minutes before serving hot.

Nutrition

Calories: 385kcalProtein: 25gFat: 15gFiber: 7g

Notes

Low-Carb Tip: To make this keto-friendly, omit the rice and substitute with 2 cups of cauliflower rice, adding it in the last 10 minutes of cooking.
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Keyword cabbage roll soup,deconstructed cabbage soup,unstuffed cabbage rolls

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This Cabbage Roll Soup recipe is sure to become a new family favorite. It’s the ultimate comfort food, packed with flavor and incredibly easy to make. If you try it, I’d love to hear what you think in the comments below. For more delicious recipes, be sure to follow us on Pinterest!