Cabbage Roll Soup
Cabbage roll soup is the ultimate comfort food, blending all the rich, savory flavors of traditional cabbage rolls into a delicious and comforting meal. Perfect for cozy nights, this easy-to-make soup will quickly become a family favorite.
Cabbage Roll Soup: A Hearty Comfort Food Classic
If you’re searching for a comforting soup that warms both the body and soul, this cabbage sausage soup recipe is exactly what you need.
Packed with savory flavors and hearty ingredients, it’s the perfect dish to enjoy on a chilly evening.
This soup is inspired by classic cabbage rolls but skips the fuss of rolling, making it an easier, quicker option that’s just as satisfying.
Why You’ll Love This Cabbage Roll Soup Recipe
This Cabbage Roll Soup is a true one-pot wonder, combining the rich flavors of ground beef and pork, the slight crunch of cabbage, and the richness of tomato and beef broth.
It’s a dish that has everything you’d want in an easy soup recipe.
Whether you call it unstuffed cabbage roll soup or cabbage stew, it’s sure to become a staple in your household.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Lean Ground Beef and Ground Pork: These two types of meat create a rich and savory base for the soup.
White Onion and Carrots: These vegetables provide a touch of sweetness that complements the meats and adds a subtle crunch to the soup.
Garlic: Minced garlic brings a warm aroma that enhances the overall flavor profile.
Green Cabbage: The star of the dish, cabbage adds a wonderful texture and a slightly sweet taste that pairs perfectly with the tomato-based broth.
Beef Broth: This serves as the flavorful base for the soup, melding all the ingredients together into a rich and savory broth.
Tomato Sauce and Fire-Roasted Tomatoes: These tomatoes provide the soup with a robust, tangy flavor and a touch of smokiness.
Long Grain White Rice: Rice adds a bit of starchiness, making the soup more filling and hearty texture.
Ketchup and Worcestershire Sauce: These ingredients add a hint of sweetness and umami, balancing the acidity of the tomatoes.
Smoked Paprika: This spice brings a subtle smoky flavor.
Salt and Black Pepper: Essential for seasoning, these staples bring all the flavors together, ensuring a well-rounded and balanced taste.
How to Make Cabbage Roll Soup
Brown the Meat: In a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, cook the ground beef and pork until browned. Remove the meat and drain all but 1 to 2 tablespoons of grease.
Cook the Vegetables: In the same pan, sauté the diced onions and chopped carrots for 4 to 5 minutes until they begin to soften. Add the chopped cabbage and minced garlic, and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes.
Combine Ingredients: Pour in the beef broth, tomato sauce, fire-roasted tomatoes, ketchup, rice, Worcestershire sauce, and smoked paprika. Add the salt and pepper then return the browned meat to the pan.
Simmer: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook for 45 to 55 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. Add more broth if needed to achieve your desired consistency.
Recipe Tips and Variations
Make it Spicy: If you like a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce.
Switch Up the Protein: You can use all ground beef or all ground pork if you prefer. Ground turkey is also a lighter alternative.
Add More Veggies: For a more veggie-packed soup, throw in some chopped celery, bell peppers, or even mushrooms.
Ways to Serve It
For a complete meal, serve this cabbage soup with a side of crusty bread or garlic toast to soak up the rich broth.
You can also pair it with a light cucumber salad, a dollop of sour cream on top, or a sprinkle of fresh parsley for added freshness and flavor.
Storage
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 to 5 days.
Freezing: This soup freezes really well! Transfer the cooled soup into freezer bags and lay flat to freeze. The soup will stay fresh in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating: Reheat on the stove or in the microwave until warmed through. You can add more beef broth if the soup seems like it has absorbed too much liquid.
More Soup Recipes
- Sausage and Sauerkraut Soup
- Beef Stew with Tomato Sauce
- Italian Wedding Soup
- 7 Can Soup with Chicken
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Ingredients
- ½ pound lean ground beef
- ½ pound ground pork
- 1 large white onion, diced
- 2 large carrots, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 5 cups green cabbage, roughly chopped
- 4 to 5 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 24 ounces tomato sauce, three (8 ounce cans)
- 15 ounces fire roasted tomatoes, 1 can diced and undrained
- ¾ cup long grain white rice
- ½ cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper, plus more to taste
Instructions
- Heat a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the ground beef and ground pork, and cook until browned. Remove the meat from the pan, and drain all but 1 to 2 tablespoons of grease.½ pound lean ground beef½ pound ground pork
- To the same pan, add the onions and carrots. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes until they begin to soften. Add the cabbage and garlic, and cook for an additional 3 to 4 minutes.1 large white onion2 large carrots2 garlic cloves5 cups green cabbage
- Pour in the beef broth, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, ketchup, rice, Worcestershire sauce, and paprika. Add the salt, pepper and meat back to the pan.4 to 5 cups low-sodium beef broth24 ounces tomato sauce15 ounces fire roasted tomatoes¾ cup long grain white rice½ cup ketchup1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce2 teaspoons smoked paprika1 teaspoon salt¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Bring the ingredients to a gentle boil then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook for 45 to 55 minutes. Add additional broth if desired to bring the soup to the desired consistency.
- Taste, and add more salt and pepper if desired.
- Serve warm.
Notes
- Feel free to use all beef or all pork. We love to use a combination of the two, but you can easily use one or the other.
- The calories listed are an approximation based on the ingredients in the recipe card and a serving size of 1 cup of soup. Actual calories will vary.
- See our nutrition disclaimer.