Cabbage Roll Soup (One-Pot Recipe)

This soup takes everything good about stuffed cabbage rolls — savory ground meat, tender cabbage, tomatoes, and rice — and simmers it all together in one pot instead of the usual fussy rolling and wrapping. It's a much faster way to get the same comforting flavor, ready in under an hour with minimal hands-on effort. The rice cooks right in the broth, thickening it slightly as everything simmers together.

A one-pot soup with all the flavors of stuffed cabbage rolls, no rolling required.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Fast: ready in about 50 minutes (15 min prep, 35 min cook)
• Simple: 15 everyday ingredients
• Feeds the family: 8 servings
• Light: about 330 calories per serving

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef (or mix of beef and pork)
• 1 large onion (diced)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 medium head of cabbage (chopped (about 8 cups))
• 2 14.5 oz cans diced tomatoes
• 1 15 oz can tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 4 cups beef broth
• 1/2 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped (for garnish))

Instructions

1. Brown the ground meat in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, draining any excess fat.
2. Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the pot and sauté until the onion turns translucent.
3. Stir in the chopped cabbage, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste, mixing well.
4. Add the rice, beef broth, and your chosen herbs and spices, then bring the mixture to a boil.
5. Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for about 25 to 30 minutes, until the rice and cabbage turn tender.
6. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed, adding a splash of lemon juice or a dollop of sour cream for extra flavor if you like.
7. Serve hot and enjoy the homemade soup.

Cooking Tips

• Brown the meat well before adding the other ingredients, since that builds a lot of the soup's flavor.
• Stir occasionally while simmering so the rice doesn't stick to the bottom of the pot.
• Taste and adjust the seasoning near the end, since the flavors concentrate as it simmers.

Substitutions

• Ground turkey can replace ground beef.
• Cauliflower rice can replace regular rice for a lower-carb version, added near the end so it doesn't overcook.
• Savoy cabbage can replace regular green cabbage.

Storage

• Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Reheat gently on the stovetop, adding a splash of broth since the rice absorbs liquid as it sits.
• Freeze for up to 3 months, though the rice texture softens slightly after thawing.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve hot with a dollop of sour cream.
• Add a splash of fresh lemon juice for brightness.
• Pair with crusty bread for a heartier meal.

Nutrition (per serving)

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	330 kcal

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