Cabbage Roll Soup

Enjoy the comforting flavors of traditional cabbage rolls with this easy one-pot Cabbage Roll Soup recipe! Packed with hearty ground meat (your choice of beef, turkey or sausage), tender cabbage, and a savory tomato broth, it's a simple and delicious weeknight meal that’s ready in no time. Perfect for busy families!

All the flavor of cabbage rolls, without all the work! Enjoy a warm bowl of this hearty soup, made with your choice of ground beef, pork sausage, or lean ground turkey.

★ Why You'll Love this Recipe ★

Made using just one pot for simple prep and easy clean-up, even the rice cooks right in the soup.

This cabbage roll soup makes this a great go-to when you don't feel like juggling multiple burners on the stove, but do crave a warm, homemade meal.

Choose your protein to pair with this veggie-rich soup. Pork sausage creates rich and spicy flavor, ground beef is tried and true, and ground turkey offers a lean yet hearty option. You can even blend all three if you'd like. Totally up to you.

What I love about this soup is the flavor of the cabbage. It so nicely blends into the soup and soaks up the other flavors in the broth making each bite enjoyable.

Serve this soup with bakery-fresh bread, smeared with butter for extra richness, making this a complete meal — great for either dinner or lunch.

★ Ingredients You'll Need ★

Here's a look at the ingredients you'll need.

• Meat. Your choice of ground beef, ground turkey or pork sausage (spicy or mild, again, your choice)
• Cabbage. Of course! I prefer larger chunks of cabbage in this soup for texture. To easily remove the cabbage stem, bang the whole cabbage head, stem-side down, on your clean counter or cutting board. This will break the stem free and you can just remove it with your hands. Then use this opening to wash it before chopping.
• Onion. Any color. I like white, it's mild.
• Carrots. Add vitamins and layer in to create that classic "soup" flavor.
• Diced tomatoes. Canned. For extra flavor, try fire-roasted.
• Tomato paste. This helps thicken the broth. I use the paste that comes in a tube so there's no waste.
• Broth. Beef broth, or use beef bullion + water for convenience.
• Worcestershire sauce. This seasons the meat giving it a beefier taste.
• Rice. Plain white rice or brown rice can be used. However, if using brown rice, I recommend parboiling it first as it takes longer to cook than white rice.
• Spices: Bay leaves, salt, pepper and Italian seasonings. Parsley can be used as a garnish.
• Cooking oil. Just for helping cook the veggies to prevent sticking to the pan.

That's it! Super simple.

This recipe is very similar to my vegetable beef soup which always gets rave reviews because it's so easy to make, yet has great flavor. The difference here is the use of cabbage and addition of rice (in place of potatoes). The broth is also a bit thicker thanks to the tomato paste.

★ How to Make this Recipe ★

Using a dutch oven, this recipe is made using just one pot.

Here's a look at the process:

• Brown meat.
• Add onions and carrots, cook to soften.
• Season meat.
• Caramelize tomato paste.
• Deglaze pot with broth.
• Add brother ingredients, cabbage and rice.
• Bring to boil, then simmer.
• Garnish with parsley and enjoy hot!

Super simple!

★ Tips & FAQs ★

Can this soup be made in a crockpot instead of a dutch oven?

Brown and season the meat and sauté the veggies, then add all the ingredients to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.

Can I make this soup ahead of time?

Yes. You can meal-prep this soup and actually this Cabbage Roll Soup tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together.

Let soup cool and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave.

Can I freeze leftovers?

Yes, leftovers freeze well and will last up to 3 months in the fridge.

What type of rice is best for this soup?

Long-grain white rice or brown rice works well, but you can also use cauliflower rice for a low-carb alternative. If using pre-cooked rice, add it in the last 5-10 minutes of cooking.

How can I make this soup spicier?

Add red pepper flakes, a dash of hot sauce, or chopped jalapeños for some heat. Adjust the amount to your taste. You can also use spicy sausage instead of, or in addition to your other meat of choice.

How can I make this soup vegetarian?

To make this soup meat-free, omit the ground meat and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth. Add hearty veggies like mushrooms, lentils, or beans for extra protein and texture or use a plant-based meat substitute.

Is it okay to use other vegetables?

Definitely! Celery, zucchini, or bell peppers are excellent additions to boost nutrition and flavor. Add them during the sauté step for the best result. Spinach and/or kale can also be added in, in place of some of the cabbage.

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