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Hearty Cabbage Beef Soup

Featured in Satisfying Hearty Mains.

Skip the work of rolling cabbage leaves but keep all the comfort. This soup version gives you the same delicious flavors of traditional cabbage rolls in an easy one-pot meal that's ready in under an hour.

Clare Greco
Updated on Mon, 20 Jan 2025 16:09:03 GMT
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A bowl of hearty soup featuring ground meat, cabbage, and vegetables, garnished with fresh parsley. Pin it
A bowl of hearty soup featuring ground meat, cabbage, and vegetables, garnished with fresh parsley. | recipesbyclare.com

When I'm craving something cozy my Cabbage Roll Soup hits the spot every time. It's like having all the flavors of stuffed cabbage rolls without the fuss of wrapping them. The combination of tender beef cabbage veggies and rice in that rich tomato broth makes everyone come back for seconds.

Simple Ingredients Big Flavors

I love how this soup takes everything wonderful about traditional cabbage rolls and turns it into an easy one-pot meal. The ingredients are budget friendly it freezes beautifully and tastes even better the next day. It's become my go-to recipe when I need something hearty and satisfying.

What You'll Need

  • Lean Ground Beef: I use lean beef to keep things light and tasty.
  • Vegetable Oil: Just enough to get everything started.
  • Onion and Garlic: These make our soup base amazing.
  • Green Cabbage: The heart of our soup soft and delicious.
  • Carrots: They add such nice sweetness and color.
  • Low-Sodium Beef Broth: Creates that perfect savory base.
  • Tomato Sauce: Gives us that rich tomato flavor.
  • White Rice: Makes everything extra filling.
  • Bay Leaf: One little leaf adds so much flavor.
  • Brown Sugar: Just a touch balances everything perfectly.
  • Parsley: Fresh parsley brightens it all up.

Let's Make Soup

Start With The Beef:
Get your pot hot add a little oil and brown that beef breaking it up as it cooks. Drain off any extra fat.
Add Some Flavor:
Toss in your onions and garlic let them get soft and fragrant.
Build The Base:
Now add your cabbage carrots broth tomato sauce bay leaf and that touch of brown sugar give it all a good stir.
Let It Simmer:
Bring everything to a bubble then turn it down cover and let it cook for about 25 minutes.
Rice Time:
Add your rice and cook another 15 minutes until it's nice and tender.
Time to Enjoy:
Season it just right sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve it up with some warm rolls.

My Best Tips

  • Choose Your Protein: Ground turkey works great too or try plant-based meat.
  • Cut Everything Even: Makes sure everything cooks at the same time.
  • Make Extra: Double the recipe it freezes beautifully for busy nights.
A bowl of savory soup containing meat, vegetables, and pasta, garnished with chopped herbs. Pin it
A bowl of savory soup containing meat, vegetables, and pasta, garnished with chopped herbs. | recipesbyclare.com

Keep It Fresh

  • Save Some: Keeps well in the fridge for 3-4 days.
  • Freeze For Later: Portion it up and freeze for up to 3 months lay the bags flat to save space.
  • Warm It Up: Let it thaw overnight then heat it slowly on the stove.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use brown rice instead of white?

Brown rice needs longer cooking time. Add extra 15-20 minutes to simmer time and more broth if needed.

→ How do I store leftover soup?

Keep in airtight container in fridge up to 4 days. The rice may absorb more liquid, so add broth when reheating.

→ Can I freeze this soup?

Yes, it freezes well for up to 3 months. The rice might be softer after thawing, but the flavor stays great.

→ Can I make this in a slow cooker?

Yes, brown the meat first, then combine everything in slow cooker. Cook on low 6-8 hours or high 3-4 hours.

→ How do I prevent the rice from getting mushy?

Don't overcook the soup. Remove from heat as soon as rice is tender, or cook rice separately and add to each bowl when serving.

Cabbage Roll Soup

All the flavors of traditional cabbage rolls in an easy soup form. Ground beef, rice, and tender cabbage in a rich tomato broth.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
30 Minutes
Total Time
45 Minutes

Category: Hearty Mains

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American/Eastern European

Yield: 6 Servings (8 cups)

Dietary: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

01 2 teaspoons vegetable oil.
02 1 pound lean ground beef.
03 1 medium yellow onion, diced.
04 2 cloves garlic, minced.
05 4 cups chopped green cabbage.
06 2 medium carrots, quartered and sliced.
07 4 cups low-sodium beef broth.
08 3 cans (8 ounces each) tomato sauce.
09 1/2 cup white rice, uncooked.
10 1 bay leaf.
11 3 tablespoons light brown sugar.
12 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped.
13 Salt and pepper to taste.

Instructions

Step 01

Heat oil in Dutch oven over medium-high heat.

Step 02

Add beef, season with salt and pepper.

Step 03

Cook until beef is browned.

Step 04

Add onion and garlic, cook 2-3 minutes.

Step 05

Stir in cabbage, carrots, tomato sauce, broth.

Step 06

Add rice, bay leaf, and brown sugar.

Step 07

Bring to simmer.

Step 08

Cook about 25 minutes until rice is tender.

Step 09

Remove bay leaf.

Step 10

Garnish with parsley and serve.

Notes

  1. A comforting one-pot meal that captures cabbage roll flavors without the rolling. Perfect for cold weather.

Tools You'll Need

  • Dutch oven or large soup pot.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 213
  • Total Fat: 5 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 20 g
  • Protein: 20 g