Hearty Cabbage Roll Soup Recipe: Cozy Comfort in a Bowl

Hearty cabbage roll soup brings the comforting flavors of traditional eastern european cooking right to your kitchen.

Memories of grandma’s classic dishes swirl through every spoonful of this delightful meal.

Tender cabbage, savory ground meat, and rich tomato broth create a symphony of taste that warms you from the inside out.

Fragrant herbs and carefully balanced spices make this recipe stand out from typical soup offerings.

Cozy weekend afternoons feel perfect for simmering this incredible dish that connects generations through simple, nourishing ingredients.

Each bowl tells a story of culinary tradition and home-cooked love.

You will find yourself falling in love with every single bite of this soul-satisfying soup.

Why Cabbage Roll Soup Is a Hearty Delight

• Simplify Cabbage Rolls: Transform the classic cabbage roll into a hearty, one-pot soup that saves you prep time and delivers the same delicious flavors without the complex rolling technique.
• Budget-Friendly Comfort: Packed with affordable ingredients like ground beef, cabbage, and rice, this soup provides a filling meal that won't break the bank while satisfying hungry family members.
• Nutritious One-Pot Wonder: Loaded with protein from beef, fiber from cabbage, and wholesome rice, this soup delivers a balanced meal that keeps you full and nourished with minimal cleanup required.
• Adaptable to Preferences: Easily customize the soup by swapping ground beef for turkey, adding extra vegetables, or adjusting seasonings to match your family's taste preferences and dietary needs.

Ingredients for Cabbage Roll Soup

• Ground Beef: A hearty protein that provides rich flavor and substance to the soup.

• Cabbage, Onion, Garlic: A classic trio that creates a robust and aromatic flavor foundation for the soup.
• Diced Tomatoes: Adds bright acidity and texture to the soup's base.

• Beef Broth: Creates a deep, savory liquid base that enhances the overall soup flavor.
• Tomato Sauce: Provides additional depth and smoothness to the soup's consistency.
• Rice: A comforting grain that adds substance and helps thicken the soup.
• Oregano, Basil: Classic herbs that bring Mediterranean-inspired herbal notes.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and enhance the soup's overall taste profile.

How to Make Cabbage Roll Soup

Step 1: Brown The Ground Beef

Cook ground beef in a large pot over medium heat, breaking it into small crumbles. Once the meat turns golden brown, add diced onions and minced garlic. Sauté until the onions become soft and translucent, releasing their sweet aroma.

Step 2: Build The Soup Base

• Chopped cabbage
• Diced tomatoes
• Tomato sauce
• Beef broth
• Uncooked rice
• Dried oregano
• Dried basil
• Salt
• Black pepper

Stir all ingredients together, ensuring they are well combined and evenly distributed.

Step 3: Simmer To Perfection

Bring the soup to a rolling boil, then immediately reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let the soup gently simmer. Allow the soup to cook for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. The cabbage will soften and become tender, while the rice cooks and absorbs the rich, savory flavors.

Step 4: Serve And Savor

Ladle the steaming hot soup into bowls. The soup is ready to be enjoyed immediately, offering a comforting and satisfying meal that captures the essence of traditional cabbage rolls in a convenient, one-pot format.

Pro Tips for Cabbage Roll Soup

• Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner, vegetarian-friendly version of the soup.
• Add a splash of red wine or balsamic vinegar to enhance the depth of flavor and provide a rich, tangy undertone.
• Chop cabbage into uniform pieces to ensure even cooking and a consistent texture throughout the soup.
• Garnish with fresh parsley or a dollop of sour cream to add brightness and creaminess to the dish.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, reheating gently to maintain the soup's original consistency.

Flavorful Variations of Cabbage Roll Soup

• Polish Cabbage Roll Fusion: Replace ground beef with kielbasa sausage and add paprika for an authentic Eastern European flavor profile.
• Vegetarian Comfort Bowl: Swap ground beef with lentils or plant-based crumbles, using vegetable broth and adding extra herbs like thyme for depth.
• Mediterranean Inspired Soup: Incorporate quinoa instead of rice, add kalamata olives, and sprinkle crumbled feta cheese on top for a Greek-style version.
• Spicy Korean Remix: Include gochujang paste, replace some beef broth with kimchi juice, and top with green onions for a zesty Korean-inspired adaptation.

Pairing Ideas for Cabbage Roll Soup

• Complement Cabbage Roll Soup with Bold Reds: Robust red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot perfectly match the hearty, meaty flavors of the soup, cutting through its richness with their tannic structure.
• Pair with Crusty Sourdough Bread: Warm, crusty sourdough bread provides a delightful textural contrast, helping soak up the flavorful broth and adding a subtle tangy note to each bite.
• Balance with Crisp Side Salad: A light, fresh green salad with a zesty vinaigrette dressing can help cut through the soup's richness, providing a refreshing counterpoint to the warm, comforting dish.

Storage Tips for Cabbage Roll Soup

• Store leftover soup in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. Will keep frozen for 2-3 months.
• Transfer desired portion to a microwave-safe bowl. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or paper towel. Heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval until heated through.
• Pour soup into a pot. Add a splash of beef broth or water to prevent sticking. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until steaming hot and thoroughly heated.

FAQs on Cabbage Roll Soup

• Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Yes, ground turkey works perfectly as a lean alternative and will give the soup a similar hearty flavor.

• Is this soup gluten-free?

Not automatically. Ensure you use gluten-free beef broth and check that your rice is certified gluten-free if you need a gluten-free version.

• Can I make this soup in a slow cooker?

Absolutely! Brown the meat first, then add all ingredients to the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.

• How nutritious is this soup?

Very nutritious! It’s packed with protein from beef, fiber from cabbage, and complex carbohydrates from rice, making it a balanced and filling meal.

Cabbage Roll Soup Recipe

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4.8 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Cabbage Roll Soup brings Polish comfort straight to your kitchen, blending traditional flavors with modern simplicity. Savory ground beef, tender cabbage, and rich tomato broth create a soul-warming meal you’ll crave on chilly evenings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat Ingredients:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef

Vegetable Ingredients:

• 1 green cabbage, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced

Pantry and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 1 can (14.5 ounces or 411 grams) diced tomatoes
• 1 can (8 ounces or 227 grams) tomato sauce
• 4 cups (946 milliliters) beef broth
• 1/2 cup (95 grams) uncooked white rice
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Brown ground beef in a large pot over medium heat, ensuring no pink remains.
2. Incorporate diced onions and minced garlic, sautéing until onions become translucent and fragrant.
3. Add chopped cabbage, creating a hearty base for the soup.
4. Pour in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beef broth, stirring to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
5. Sprinkle uncooked rice into the mixture, along with oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.
6. Raise heat to high and bring the soup to a rolling boil, then immediately reduce to low simmer.
7. Cover and let the soup gently simmer for approximately 25-30 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and ingredients to become tender.
8. Check that rice is fully cooked and cabbage has softened to a pleasant texture.
9. Ladle the hot soup into serving bowls, ensuring each portion has a balanced mix of meat, vegetables, and broth.
10. Serve immediately while steaming and enjoy the comforting, hearty meal.

Notes

• Choose lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and create a lighter soup version.
• Substitute ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based meat alternatives for a healthier or vegetarian option.
• Rinse rice before adding to prevent excess starchiness and ensure a clearer, cleaner-tasting broth.
• Let soup rest for 10 minutes after cooking to allow flavors to meld and thicken slightly before serving.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Eastern European

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 235 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 560 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 17 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 17 g
• Cholesterol: 55 mg