Name: Cabbage Roll Soup
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 1 pound lean ground beef; ½ pound lean ground pork (or additional ground beef); 1 large onion (diced); 3 cloves garlic (minced); 1 medium head cabbage (chopped, core removed, about 8 cups); 1 (28 ounce) can canned diced tomatoes (with juices); 4 cups beef broth; 1½ cups vegetable juice (such as V8); ¾ cup long grain white rice (uncooked); 2 tablespoons tomato paste; 1 teaspoon paprika; 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves; 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; 1 bay leaf; salt and black pepper (to taste)

Cabbage Roll Soup has all the cozy, savory flavor of classic cabbage rolls without any rolling! Beef and pork, tender cabbage, and rice simmer together in a rich tomato broth for an easy, hearty one-pot meal.

Serve with crusty no-knead bread or homemade fluffy dinner rolls to soak up every drop.

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Holly’s Recipe Highlights: Cabbage Roll Soup

What Is It: It’s a cozy, deconstructed version of classic stuffed cabbage rolls, with ground meat, cabbage, rice, and tomatoes simmered together in one easy pot.
Shortcut: Chopped cabbage skips the boiling, separating, stuffing, and rolling required for traditional cabbage rolls.
Consistency: This soup is thick and hearty, with an almost stew-like texture. Add extra broth if you prefer a thinner consistency.

Total Time: 50 Mins Servings: 8 Cooking Method: Stovetop

Total Time:: 50 mins
Serves:: 8 servings
Rating:: 4.9/5

Cabbage roll soup in a pot with a ladle.

Ingredient Notes

Meat: Lean ground beef adds plenty of savory flavor without making the broth greasy. Ground pork adds richness and classic cabbage roll flavor, but you can use additional beef or ground turkey if preferred.
Long Grain White Rice: Add the rice uncooked so it absorbs the seasoned broth as it simmers. Brown rice takes longer to cook and requires additional liquid.
Green Cabbage: A firm head of green cabbage holds its texture well as the soup simmers. Chop it into bite-sized pieces, or use bagged chopped cabbage as a shortcut. Savoy cabbage also works but softens more quickly.
Diced Tomatoes: Keep the juices because they become part of the tomato broth.
Beef Broth: Beef broth adds rich, savory flavor and complements the ground meat. Chicken or vegetable broth can be used instead.

How to Make Cabbage Roll Soup

Cook the beef, pork, onion, and garlic. Drain excess fat.
Add the cabbage and continue cooking (full recipe below).
Stir in the remaining ingredients. Cover and simmer.
Remove the bay leaf, adjust the consistency, and season before serving.

Brown the Meat Well: Don’t rush browning the meat and onions. Getting a deep, golden sear on the bottom of the pot creates fond (browned bits) that melts into the tomato broth for a much deeper flavor.
Watch the Rice (Or Swap It): Stop simmering as soon as the rice is tender to prevent it from getting mushy. If substituting brown rice, keep in mind it requires extra broth and significantly more simmer time
Thicken as It Sits: The rice will continue to absorb liquid as the soup rests or sits in the fridge. Keep extra beef broth on hand to thin out leftovers when reheating.

Save Some for Later

Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freeze in airtight freezer containers for up to 3 months. Leave a little room for expansion. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding beef broth or water until it reaches the preferred consistency.

Hearty One-Pot Comfort Soups

Easy Hamburger Soup

Beef Barley Soup

Vegetable Beef Soup

Stuffed Pepper Soup

Did you enjoy this Cabbage Roll Soup Recipe? Leave a comment and rating below.

image of Everyday Comfort cookbook by Holly Nilsson of Spend With Pennies plus text

Cabbage Roll Soup in a pot and in a ladle with a title.

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About the author

Holly Nilsson is the creator of Spend With Pennies, where she creates easy, comforting recipes made for real life. She is also the author of the best selling cookbook “Everyday Comfort,” which delivers hearty, home-cooked meals designed for real life.
See more posts by Holly