Cabbage Roll Soup (Delicious Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls)
Nourishing and simple are two of my favorite words, and this Cabbage Roll Soup recipe (also called unstuffed cabbage rolls) is both of those! I love being able to take a more tedious task (like rolling cabbage rolls) and turn it into a simple, easy to follow task!
I actually started making a big batch of this soup when my youngest was only a toddler. That was back when we lived in the pacific northwest and soups and stews were vital for life. (Cold and dreary was a frequent theme there!)
My family loves this delicious soup on cold rainy days, but don’t put it past me to make it in the spring or summer as well! It’s a weeknight stable filled with good-for-you ingredients like bone broth, carrots and cabbage -yum!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Easy To Make
Cabbage Rolls Soup could not be easier to throw together. This is a perfect weeknight meal and I have included how you can make it on the stovetop, in the instant pot, or a slow cooker.
Nourishing
You’ll also love the nourishing ingredients. When we get sick in this house, the virus tends to go through one person at a time, so it takes forever to feel healthy as a family again! This is the soup I pull out when my kids cannot eat another bite of chicken noodle soup.
Inexpensive
Whipping up this recipe is great on your wallet too! Simple and inexpensive ingredients are the theme here, which is a huge necessity in today’s world!
Ingredient List
Ground Beef
This is the savory foundation of your soup. The richness of ground beef or pork adds a depth of flavor that’s reminiscent of traditional cabbage rolls. You can even use a mix of both for extra deliciousness, or opt for ground turkey if you’re looking for something leaner.
Onion and Garlic
The classic aromatic duo that brings everything to life! Diced onions and minced garlic sautéed together create the perfect base, filling your kitchen with a comforting, homey aroma.
Bone Broth
Packed with nutrients and flavor, bone broth takes this soup to the next level. If you don’t have any on hand, store bought beef broth or vegetable stock works beautifully too. Don’t be intimated by making your own beef bone broth, I’ve got an easy recipe for you to follow!
Cabbage
The star of the show! Fresh green cabbage is the hero ingredient that ties this dish back to its cabbage roll roots. It softens beautifully in the broth, soaking up all those delicious flavors.
Carrots
Sweet and tender, carrots not only add a pop of color to your soup but also provide a natural sweetness that balances the savory broth.
Rice
The hearty filler that makes this soup feel like a meal. White or brown rice works well here, and if you’re feeling adventurous, you could even try barley or quinoa for a twist.
Tomato Sauce and Diced Tomatoes
These give the soup its signature tangy and slightly sweet tomato base. I love using fire-roasted diced tomatoes for a hint of smokiness, but regular ones work just as well.
Seasonings
Salt, pepper, and a pinch of smoked paprika or dried thyme round out the flavors. You can even throw in a bay leaf while the soup simmers to give it that extra something special.
Tools and Equipment
Large Stockpot
As you’ll read further down, I love doubling (or tripling!) this recipe to help my future self with easy to grab weeknight dinners. A large stock pot like this one comes in handy!
Instant Pot
I use my instant pot as a slow cooker ALLLL the time. I love that I can brown the ground beef in the same pot. One less dish to clean? Sign me up!
Cabbage Roll Soup Meal Prep
This soup is the meal prep hero you didn’t know you needed! On busy weeknights when life feels chaotic and dinner is an afterthought, having a batch of Cabbage Roll Soup ready to go is like finding an umbrella on a rainy day. It just makes everything better. I love doubling the recipe to ensure there are leftovers for lunches or a quick reheat-and-serve dinner. The flavors only get better with time, making it perfect for prepping ahead. Pro tip: Store it in individual containers so everyone can grab their own bowlful of cozy goodness when they need it!
How To Freeze Cabbage Roll Soup
Can you freeze Cabbage Roll Soup? Absolutely! This recipe is made for the freezer. Back when my family was in the throes of toddler life, having hearty soups like this stashed away in the freezer saved the day more times than I can count. The trick is to let it cool completely and freeze it in portions. That way, you can pull out just what you need without thawing the whole pot. I love knowing I have a stash of this soup ready for those “what’s for dinner?” nights. It’s like future-me saying, “You’ve got this.”
Is Bone Broth Healthy?
If you’ve been wondering whether bone broth lives up to the hype, let me be the first to say it does. Loaded with collagen, amino acids, and minerals, bone broth isn’t just flavorful; it’s a little nutritional powerhouse. Back when I started making soups regularly, I noticed that soups made with bone broth just felt more satisfying and nourishing. It’s like your grandmother’s wisdom distilled into a bowl of soup. While any beef broth will work for this recipe, bone broth brings that extra oomph of comfort, especially when someone in the family is under the weather.
Cabbage Roll Soup Recipe
Cabbage Roll Soup
Cabbage Roll Soup has all the flavors of traditional cabbage rolls in a hearty, easy-to-make soup with ground beef, cabbage, rice, and a flavorful tomato broth.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 6 cups beef broth
- 1 ½ cups green cabbage, chopped (about ½ a medium head)
- 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes (optional for extra texture)
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, brown the ground beef over medium heat until cooked through. Drain excess fat, if needed.
- Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the pot. Sauté until the onion is soft and translucent, about 3–4 minutes.
- Stir in the beef broth, tomato sauce, chopped cabbage, diced tomatoes (if using), bay leaf, smoked paprika, thyme, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Stir in the uncooked rice. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and let it simmer for 25–30 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the cabbage is soft.
- Remove the bay leaf, taste the soup, and adjust the seasoning as needed. Serve hot with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or crusty bread on the side!
