Cabbage Roll Soup Recipe
Introduction
Cabbage Roll Soup is a comforting and flavorful dish that captures the essence of traditional cabbage rolls in a warm bowl. It’s an easy-to-make soup packed with ground beef, cabbage, and tender rice simmered in a savory tomato broth. Perfect for cozy dinners or meal prep.
Ingredients
- 2 tsp. vegetable oil
- 1 lb. lean ground beef
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced finely
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chopped green cabbage
- 2 medium carrots, quartered and sliced
- 4 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 3 (8 oz.) cans tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup white rice, uncooked
- 1 bay leaf
- 3 tbsp. light brown sugar
- 2 tbsp. fresh chopped parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: In a dutch oven or large soup pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat and add the ground beef.
- Step 2: Season the ground beef with salt and pepper as desired and cook until browned.
- Step 3: Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the pot and cook for another 2–3 minutes, until the onions are tender.
- Step 4: Stir in the chopped cabbage, carrots, tomato sauce, beef broth, uncooked white rice, bay leaf, and brown sugar until well combined.
- Step 5: Bring the soup to a simmer and cook for about 25 minutes, or until the rice is tender.
- Step 6: Remove the bay leaf and sprinkle the soup with fresh chopped parsley before serving.
Tips & Variations
- For extra depth, try adding a splash of Worcestershire sauce or a pinch of smoked paprika.
- Use ground turkey or chicken as a leaner alternative to beef.
- Swap brown rice for white rice, but allow longer cooking time for brown rice.
- Add a dash of hot sauce or red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
Storage
Store leftover cabbage roll soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove over medium heat or in the microwave until warmed through. This soup also freezes well—freeze in portions for up to 3 months and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make this soup vegetarian?
Yes, you can omit the ground beef and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth. Add extra beans or lentils for protein and keep the same cooking time.
Is it necessary to use a bay leaf?
The bay leaf adds a subtle depth of flavor to the soup, but if you don’t have one, you can skip it. The soup will still taste delicious without it.
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Cabbage Roll Soup Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This hearty and comforting Cabbage Roll Soup is a delicious deconstructed take on classic stuffed cabbage rolls. Packed with lean ground beef, tender cabbage, carrots, and rice in a flavorful tomato and beef broth, it’s an easy one-pot meal perfect for cozy dinners.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 tsp. vegetable oil
- 1 lb. lean ground beef
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced finely
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chopped green cabbage
- 2 medium carrots, quartered and sliced
- 4 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 3 (8 oz.) cans tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup white rice, uncooked
- 1 bay leaf
- 3 tbsp. light brown sugar
- 2 tbsp. fresh chopped parsley
Instructions
- Heat Oil and Brown Beef: In a dutch oven or large soup pot, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add lean ground beef and season with salt and pepper. Cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks.
- Sauté Onions and Garlic: Add diced onion and minced garlic to the pot. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until onions are soft and translucent, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
- Add Vegetables and Liquids: Stir in chopped green cabbage, quartered and sliced carrots, tomato sauce, low-sodium beef broth, uncooked white rice, bay leaf, and light brown sugar. Mix everything thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
- Simmer the Soup: Bring the soup mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Cover and let cook for about 25 minutes, or until the rice and vegetables are tender and the flavors have melded together.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the bay leaf from the soup. Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley on top for a burst of color and freshness. Serve hot and enjoy your comforting cabbage roll soup.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, omit the ground beef and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
- You can substitute white rice with brown rice, but cooking times may vary.
- Adjust the amount of brown sugar to your taste preference for sweetness.
- For a thicker soup, let it simmer uncovered for 5-10 minutes after cooking.
- This soup stores well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and can be frozen for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: cabbage roll soup, ground beef soup, cabbage soup, comforting soup, easy one pot meal, tomato cabbage soup
