Easy Cabbage Roll Soup
This comforting Cabbage Roll Soup brings all the nostalgic flavors of traditional cabbage rolls to your table without the tedious assembly. Perfect for busy weeknights, this one-pot meal features lean ground beef, tender green cabbage, carrots, and rice simmered in a savory tomato-based broth. It is a hearty, budget-friendly dish that saves you hours of rolling time, making it the ultimate crowd-pleasing comfort food that warms you from the inside out.
- Prep Time: 15 Mins
- Cook Time: 30 Mins
- Total Time: 45 Mins
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Healthy Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
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
24 oz. tomato sauce
1/2 cup white rice, uncooked
1 bay leaf
3 tbsp. light brown sugar
2 tbsp. fresh chopped parsley
Instructions
Step 1: Brown the Beef
Heat the vegetable oil in a large dutch oven or soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the lean ground beef and season with salt and pepper to your preference. Cook until the beef is thoroughly browned.
Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics
Add the finely diced yellow onion and minced garlic to the pot with the beef. Sauté for about 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft and fragrant.
Step 3: Combine Ingredients
Add the chopped green cabbage, sliced carrots, tomato sauce, beef broth, uncooked white rice, bay leaf, and brown sugar to the pot. Stir everything thoroughly to ensure the ingredients are evenly distributed.
Step 4: Simmer to Perfection
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat and cook for approximately 25 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the vegetables reach your desired level of softness.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
Remove the bay leaf carefully with a spoon. Sprinkle the freshly chopped parsley over the top for a bright, flavorful finish before serving warm.
Pro Tips
- Do not overcook the rice; it will continue to absorb liquid while sitting in the warm broth.
- Choose a firm head of green cabbage for the best crunch and texture in your soup.
- If you love spice, add a dash of red pepper flakes during the sauté step.
- Let the soup sit for 5 minutes off the heat before serving to allow the flavors to meld perfectly.
Notes
Swap white rice for cauliflower rice if you prefer a lower-carb option. Use ground turkey instead of lean ground beef for a lighter version. This soup stores well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and often tastes even better the next day as flavors meld together.
Find it online: https://www.claricerecipes.com/cabbage-roll-soup/