Easy Cabbage Roll Soup
Savory Simplicity: Easy Cabbage Roll Soup Recipe
Introduction
Welcome to my cozy corner, where today, I’m inviting you into the world of cabbage roll soup, a dish that has swiftly become a staple at my family dinners. Imagine the classic flavors of a cabbage roll, all simmered down into a comforting, hearty soup that not only warms your belly but also brings an easy twist to a traditional favorite. With ingredients like tender green cabbage, lean ground beef, and a touch of sweetness from brown sugar, this soup is a wholesome melody of flavors that promises to delight. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity, making it a perfect choice for anyone looking to whip up a nutritious meal without spending hours in the kitchen. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned cook, this cabbage roll soup will surely impress, proving that sometimes, the simplest dishes are the most satisfying. Key Takeaways:
- Hearty and nutritious, an ideal choice for family dinners.
- Simplicity in preparation, making it accessible to cooks of all levels.
- A wholesome melody of flavors, bringing comfort to every spoonful.
Ingredients List
- 2 tsp. vegetable oil – A must for sautéing our onions and garlic, giving them that golden touch.
- 1 lb. lean ground beef – The heart of our soup, bringing rich, meaty flavors.
- For a lighter touch, feel free to sub in ground turkey or chicken.
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced finely – Adds a sweet and aromatic base.
- 2 cloves garlic, minced – Because, what’s a soup without the aromatic king?
- 4 cups chopped green cabbage – The star of our dish, tender yet crisp.
- 2 medium carrots, quartered and sliced – Sneaking in that sweet crunch and color.
- 4 cups low-sodium beef broth – Keeping it hearty yet mindful of our salt intake.
- 3 (8 oz.) cans tomato sauce – For that tangy, rich soup base.
- 1/2 cup white rice, uncooked – To thicken our soup and add a lovely texture.
- 1 bay leaf – A simple spice that brings a whole lot of depth.
- Feel free to remove before serving to avoid any surprise crunches.
- 3 tbsp. light brown sugar – Just a touch sweet to balance the acidity.
- 2 tbsp. fresh chopped parsley – For that pop of green and fresh flavor at the end.
Cooking Utensils Needed
- Dutch oven or large soup pot: The heart of our cabbage roll soup adventure starts here. You’ll need one of these to brown our lean ground beef and simmer the soup to perfection. If you don’t have a Dutch oven, any large soup pot will do the trick.
- Wooden spoon or spatula: To stir our delicious concoction, ensuring the ground beef cooks evenly and mixes well with the array of ingredients like our green cabbage, carrots, and that savory tomato sauce.
- Sharp knife: For meticulously dicing our yellow onion and mincing the garlic. Also, this trusty tool helps in chopping up the cabbage and slicing those carrots to just the right thickness.
- Measuring cups and spoons: Accuracy is key for the perfect blend of flavors, making sure our white rice, beef broth, and light brown sugar are perfectly portioned.
Preparation Before Cooking
Now, let’s chat about getting our ingredients ready, a little thing the pros call mise en place. Believe me, it’s a total game-changer for whipping up dishes like our savory cabbage roll soup. First, we’ll tackle the veggies. I always start with the yellow onion and garlic. You’ll want to dice your onion finely – think small pieces that’ll blend seamlessly into the soup, offering that sweet, aromatic base without being overpowering. Then, take those cloves of garlic and mince them up good. Nothing beats the kick of fresh garlic, right?
Next up, our hearty greens and other veggies. Chop your green cabbage into bite-size pieces; they’ll shrink down a bit as they cook but will still give that satisfying crunch. Then, grab those carrots. I quarter them and slice them up into thin pieces, making sure they’re uniform in size for an even cook.
This little prep work might seem like a hassle, but it makes the actual cooking process as smooth as butter. And when everything’s chopped and ready to go, you can fully focus on the magic of turning these simple ingredients into a comforting, healthy soup that’s perfect for any family dinner.
Cooking Process
Let’s dive into making this cozy, comforting Easy Cabbage Roll Soup. Nothing brings family together like a hearty soup simmering on the stove. Here’s how we do it:
- Heat 2 tsp. of vegetable oil in a Dutch oven or large soup pot over medium-high heat. Trust me, the right pot makes all the difference.
- Add 1 lb. of lean ground beef, seasoning it with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook until it’s nicely browned and crumbly. It’s all about building those flavors from the ground up.
- Mix in the diced yellow onion and minced garlic, letting them cook for 2-3 minutes until the onions are soft. Is there anything better than the smell of onions and garlic cooking?
- Stir in the green cabbage, carrots, low-sodium beef broth, tomato sauce, uncooked white rice, bay leaf, and light brown sugar. This combination is where the magic starts.
- Let everything simmer for about 25 minutes or until the rice is tender. This is a good time to sneak a taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Remember, cooking is all about making it your own.
- Remove the bay leaf and garnish with fresh parsley before serving. It’s all in the details.
And there you have it, a delicious, comforting bowl of Cabbage Roll Soup, perfect for any family dinner. Enjoy every hearty spoonful!
Serving Suggestions
- Add a dollop of sour cream: A creamy swirl of sour cream on top of each bowl brings a delightful tang and richness, cutting through the soup’s savory notes.
- Sprinkle with shredded cheese: Who doesn’t love cheese? A sprinkle of sharp cheddar or creamy mozzarella melts beautifully into the warm soup, adding a gooey texture and depth of flavor.
- Offer a side of crusty bread: A slice of warm, crusty bread or a hearty roll is perfect for dunking into the soup and ensuring not a drop goes to waste.
- Garnish with fresh chopped parsley: For a pop of color and freshness, a scattering of fresh parsley over each serving not only looks beautiful but enhances the soup’s overall freshness.
Storage and Reheating
Let’s talk about keeping that savory cabbage roll soup as delightful the next day as it was fresh out of the Dutch oven. Trust me, it’s all about the storage and reheating. First off, let me assure you, your hearty soup will taste just as amazing, if not better, after the flavors have had time to marry overnight.
- Refrigeration: Always let the soup cool down to room temperature before you think about popping it in the fridge. Once cooled, transfer it into airtight containers. It’ll keep well for up to 3-4 days. The key here is to avoid leaving it out too long before refrigeration. You want to capture and lock in that freshness.
- Freezing: If you’ve made a big batch and you’re looking ahead, freezing is your friend. Portion the soup into freezer-safe containers or bags, leaving a little space for expansion. It’s blissfully easy to store it this way for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, a gentle thaw in the fridge overnight does the trick.
- Reheating: Whether you refrigerated or froze your leftovers, the best way to reheat is slowly and gently. A slow cooker on a low setting or a soup pot over medium heat brings back that simmering delight without sacrificing texture or flavor. Stir occasionally and avoid boiling – we’re warming, not cooking!
By following these simple steps, you can extend the joy of your family dinner into several meals, ensuring a warm, co
Savor Every Spoonful
I can’t express strongly enough the joy that comes from ladling this hearty cabbage roll soup into bowls for my family. The first time I made it, the kitchen filled with such a warm, enticing aroma that everyone couldn’t wait to dig in. And let me tell you, the looks on their faces were worth every chopped carrot, every stir of the pot. It was a moment of pure, savory simplicity.
Friends, I urge you to make this easy soup recipe a part of your own family dinners. There’s something about the blend of tender green cabbage, lean ground beef, and that hint of brown sugar in a rich tomato sauce that brings people together. Imagine the conversations, the laughter, the stories shared over bowls of this nutritious, low-sodium recipe. It’s more than a meal; it’s a memory in the making.
So, grab that Dutch oven or soup pot, gather your loved ones, and savor every spoonful of this delicious, healthy soup. Share the warmth and let the love in your heart overflow as much as this cabbage roll soup in your bowl. After all, isn’t that what family dinners are all about?

Easy Cabbage Roll Soup
Ingredients
- 1 lb. lean ground beef
- 4 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 3 8 oz. cans tomato sauce
- 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup white rice uncooked
- 4 cups chopped green cabbage
- 2 medium carrots quartered and sliced
- 1 medium yellow onion diced finely
- 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon garlic minced
- salt , to taste
- pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a Dutch oven or large soup pot, heat oil over medium-high heat and add the ground beef.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, cooking until browned.
- Add the diced onion and minced garlic, cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes until the onions are soft. Stir in the chopped cabbage, carrots, tomato sauce, beef broth, white rice, bay leaf, and brown sugar.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for approximately 25 minutes, or until the rice is tender.
- Remove the bay leaf and garnish with chopped parsley.
This was very easy, and my family loved it. Delicious!
Can this be done the same way but in the crockpot?
I haven’t personally tried making it in the crockpot but I feel like it should be ok.
This was really good. Only thing I added was more liquid..2 more tomatoes sauce and 1 cup of beef broth…thank you for the recipe…
I didn’t put rice in the soup instead I add dice tomatoes . I won 3rd place in soup contest at church.