The Best Cabbage Roll Soup Recipe

All the comfort of traditional cabbage rolls made easy in a hearty soup! From deesviral, this one-pot wonder is cozy, flavorful, and perfect for chilly nights.

Recipe Details

• Author: deesviral
• Cuisine: Eastern European-inspired
• Category: Dinner / Soup
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 6–8 servings
• Keywords: cabbage roll soup, one pot, comfort food, easy soup

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450g) ground  beef
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 head green cabbage, chopped
• 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes
• 1 (8 oz) can  tomato sauce
• 4 cups beef  broth
• 1/2 cup uncooked white rice
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

1. In a large soup pot, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
2. Add onion and garlic, sauté for 3–4 minutes until softened.

1. Stir in the chopped cabbage and cook until slightly wilted, about 5 minutes.
2. Add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, rice, oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine.
3. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30–40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rice is tender and flavors meld together.
4. Adjust seasoning to taste and garnish with chopped parsley if desired.

Troubleshooting & Consistency Tips

• If the soup thickens too much, add extra broth or water to loosen it.
• Use pre-shredded cabbage for a shortcut.
• For extra depth, add a splash of Worcestershire or a squeeze of lemon juice before serving.

Storage & Make-Ahead

Let the soup cool completely before storing. Refrigerate in airtight containers for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat gently on the stove or microwave until hot. Add a bit of broth when reheating if the soup thickens too much.

Why This Recipe Works

This soup captures all the rich, tomato-beef flavor of cabbage rolls with none of the rolling or baking. The rice simmers directly in the broth, absorbing all the savory goodness and creating a naturally hearty texture.

Expert Tips

• Use a mix of beef and pork for deeper flavor.
• Try adding crushed red pepper flakes if you enjoy a little heat.
• Top with shredded cheese or sour cream for a creamy twist.

This hearty soup is brought to you by deesviral. For more cozy dinner ideas, follow and explore our full collection!