Ground beef, cabbage, tomatoes with chiles, rice, and beef broth come together in this cozy, hearty Cabbage Roll Soup — comforting, easy, and no rolling required.
< Remember it later! >
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
< Remember it later! >
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
You ever have one of those nights where cooking sounds… exhausting? Yep. Been there too many times. That’s exactly how Cabbage Roll Soup became a thing in my kitchen.
I remember it so clearly. It was cold, I was cranky, and I had big plans for traditional cabbage rolls. You know — roll, tuck, bake, and wait patiently while they transform into comfort food perfection. But… yeah. That didn’t happen.
I looked at the cabbage. The ground beef. The tomatoes. I looked at the clock (and, let’s be honest, myself in the reflection of the microwave door). Nope. Not today. I needed something cozy, but easy.
So I did what any tired home cook does — I improvised. I tossed everything into a big ol’ pot and hoped for the best. Honestly, I didn’t expect much. But after one taste? Oh man. Magic.
The flavors were all there — rich beef, tender cabbage, hearty rice, and that slightly spicy tomato broth? Absolute perfection. Plus, there were no fiddly little rolls. No oven. No stress. Just soup that hugged my soul.
Now? This Cabbage Roll Soup is my weeknight MVP. Easy, delicious, and endlessly comforting. I dare you not to fall in love.
Why You’ll Love This Cabbage Roll Soup Recipe?
Okay, real talk. Why should you make this? Simple.
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It’s easy. You throw stuff in a pot and let it do its thing. That’s my kinda cooking.
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It’s cozy. Like… fuzzy socks and a blanket kinda cozy.
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It’s versatile. Change up the meat, add more spice, sneak in extra veggies — whatever works.
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And most importantly… it’s delicious. Rich, savory, and satisfying without being heavy.
Plus, it makes a big batch, which means leftovers for lunch tomorrow. And let’s face it, future-you will thank past-you for that.
Ingredient Notes:
Here’s what you’ll need for this Cabbage Roll Soup — and don’t worry, it’s all simple stuff.
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Ground Beef: Classic choice. Ground turkey or pork works too, but beef gives it that traditional cabbage roll flavor.
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Sweet Onion + Garlic: Because every good soup starts with this dynamic duo. They build that flavor base you can’t skip.
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Cabbage: Medium head, chopped. Don’t overthink it. Rustic is charming here.
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Beef Broth + Tomato Juice: This is what makes the soup rich and hearty.
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Long Grain White Rice: Holds up well and soaks in all that flavor.
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Worcestershire Sauce: Trust me, don’t skip this. It adds that little extra something.
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Canned Tomatoes with Chiles: Brings a subtle heat and more tomato goodness.
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Salt + Parmesan: A little salt to taste, and Parmesan for topping. Because soup with cheese? Always yes.
Easy, right? Nothing weird, nothing fancy.
How To Make Cabbage Roll Soup?
Honestly, this couldn’t be easier. If you can stir a pot, you’re already ahead of the game.
Step 1: Brown the Beef
Start by browning your ground beef in a big soup pot. Break it up as you go. No giant clumps, please — we want every bite to be perfect.
Step 2: Add the Aromatics
Toss in the minced onion and garlic. Cook until they’re softened and your kitchen smells like you know what you’re doing. (Love that part.)
Step 3: Build the Soup
Now add everything else. Yep — the chopped cabbage, beef broth, tomato juice, rice, Worcestershire sauce, canned tomatoes with chiles, and salt. Give it a good stir. Looks kinda messy now, but trust me… it’s about to get good.
Step 4: Simmer + Chill (Well, Not You. The Soup.)
Bring the pot to a boil. Then reduce to a simmer, cover, and let it cook for about 25 minutes. This is your moment to sit down, scroll your phone, or maybe — dare I say — relax.
Step 5: Taste + Serve
Taste it. Want more salt? Toss it in. Then ladle it into bowls, sprinkle with Parmesan, and dig in.
Want To Save This Recipe?
That’s it. Comfort food, no rolling required.
Storage Options:
This soup makes a lot. Which is awesome, because leftovers are basically better than fresh here.
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Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
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Freezer: Freeze portions for up to 3 months. Soup saves lives on busy nights.
Reheat on the stove or microwave. Add a little extra broth or water if it gets too thick. Easy fix.
Variations and Substitutions:
This Cabbage Roll Soup is ridiculously customizable. Here’s how you can switch it up:
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Change the protein: Try ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based crumbles.
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Go low-carb: Skip the rice or swap for cauliflower rice.
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Add beans: Toss in some canned beans for extra bulk.
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Up the spice: Like heat? Add crushed red pepper or more tomatoes with chiles.
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Cheese it up: Melt mozzarella or cheddar on top for ultra-cozy vibes.
Seriously, you can’t mess this up.
What to Serve with Cabbage Roll Soup?
While this soup is super satisfying on its own, here’s what I like to pair it with:
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Crusty Bread: Gotta dunk something, right?
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Garlic Bread: Never a bad idea.
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Simple Salad: Light and fresh, balances the hearty soup.
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Roasted Veggies: Optional, but nice.
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Grilled Cheese: Do I even need to explain this one?
Mix and match depending on your mood.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I make this ahead of time?
100% yes. It actually gets even better as it sits. Soup always does.
Can I use leftover rice?
Sure thing. Add it towards the end so it doesn’t turn mushy.
Freezer-friendly?
Yep! Just freeze in portions and thaw when needed. Perfect for those I can’t be bothered to cook nights.
And there you have it — Cabbage Roll Soup that checks every box. It’s easy, comforting, and honestly kinda brilliant when you think about it. No rolling, no fancy techniques… just a big cozy pot of happiness.
Give it a shot — and if you do, tell me: are you sticking with the classic or adding your own twist? I wanna know what’s simmering in your kitchen!
< Remember it later! >
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
< Remember it later! >
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Keep the Flavor Coming – Try These:
Cabbage Roll Soup
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 sweet onion minced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 medium cabbage chopped, core removed
- 3 c beef broth
- 2 ½ c tomato juice
- 2/3 c long grain white rice
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 28 oz canned tomatoes with chiles
- 1 tsp salt adjust to taste
- Grated Parmesan for topping
Instructions
- In a pot cook the ground beef on medium heat until it turns brown making sure to break it up as it cooks.
- Add minced onion and garlic. Continue cooking until the beef is fully cooked.
- Mix, in chopped cabbage, beef broth, tomato juice, rice, Worcestershire sauce canned tomatoes with chiles and salt.
- Bring the mixture to a boil. Then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover the pot. Let it cook for 25 minutes or until the rice becomes tender.
- Taste the soup. Add salt if necessary.
- Serve hot with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, on top.
- Enjoy your Cabbage Roll Soup. A flavorful meal!
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
