If you’re craving something hearty, cozy, and downright satisfying, I have just the thing for you: my Cabbage Roll Soup Recipe. This soup brings all the comforting flavors of classic cabbage rolls right into a bowl, making it super easy to enjoy any night of the week. I absolutely love this because it pairs that tender cabbage and savory beef with tangy tomato goodness and just the right hint of sweetness—it’s like a warm hug in soup form. Keep reading, and I’ll walk you through how to make this fantastic dish step-by-step.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple Ingredients: You probably already have most of what you need, which makes weeknight dinner a breeze.
All-in-One Comfort: It combines meat, veggies, rice, and broth in one pot for a wholesome meal with minimal cleanup.
Flavorful and Balanced: The sweetness of brown sugar balances the acidity of tomato sauce perfectly here.
Family Friendly: My kids and husband go crazy for this soup—it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

The image shows a white bowl filled with a chunky soup on a white marbled surface. The soup has several layers with a bright orange-red broth forming the base layer. Floating in the broth are soft, pale green cabbage pieces with slightly wrinkled texture, scattered chunks of cooked ground meatballs in a brown color, and slices of orange carrots. Small grains of white rice are also layered throughout the soup, mixed evenly with the other ingredients. Tiny green parsley pieces are sprinkled on top for a fresh look. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Cabbage Roll Soup, hearty cabbage soup, beef and cabbage soup, easy cabbage soup recipe, comfort food soups

Ingredients You’ll Need

For this Cabbage Roll Soup Recipe, you’ll want fresh, quality ingredients since everything shines in this simple recipe. The key is balancing the freshness of the cabbage and carrots with the richness of beef and tomato sauce.

Flat lay of fresh ground beef, finely diced yellow onion, minced garlic cloves, chopped green cabbage, vibrant sliced carrots, bright red tomato sauce in a rich pool, uncooked white rice grains scattered delicately, a single bay leaf, and a small pile of fresh chopped parsley, all beautifully arranged on a white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Cabbage Roll Soup, hearty cabbage soup, beef and cabbage soup, easy cabbage soup recipe, comfort food soups

Vegetable oil: I use this for browning the beef; it handles the heat well without overpowering flavors.
Lean ground beef: Lean works best to keep the soup hearty but not greasy.
Yellow onion: A medium onion adds just the right hint of sweetness when sautéed.
Garlic: Fresh minced garlic—never sub with powder if you can help it for that aromatic base.
Green cabbage: Chopped into bite-sized pieces; it’s the star vegetable here.
Carrots: Quartered and sliced for subtle sweetness and texture.
Low-sodium beef broth: This keeps the soup flavorful but lets you control the saltiness.
Tomato sauce: Canned works perfectly and adds that signature tang.
White rice: Use uncooked so it softens right in the soup without going mushy.
Bay leaf: Adds a nice depth of flavor during simmering—don’t forget to remove it before serving!
Light brown sugar: Just a touch balances acidity and deepens the flavor.
Fresh chopped parsley: A sprinkle at the end brings brightness and color.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Over the years I’ve made this Cabbage Roll Soup Recipe all sorts of ways to fit what I have on hand or different dietary needs—and honestly, I encourage you to make it your own! It’s forgiving and flexible.

Use ground turkey or chicken: When I wanted a lighter soup, swapping in ground turkey worked really well without losing that meaty texture.
Go vegetarian: Skip the meat entirely and add extra veggies or beans—just remember to use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
Spice it up: Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or smoked paprika if you like a little heat; my husband loves this twist!
Swap rice for quinoa: For added nutrition and a different texture, quinoa cooks nicely in the broth just like the rice does.

How to Make Cabbage Roll Soup Recipe

Step 1: Brown the Beef to Build Flavor

Start by heating your vegetable oil in a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, seasoning it with a pinch of salt and pepper. I like to break it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. You want the beef nicely browned but not overcooked—about 5 to 7 minutes. This browning process delivers great depth of flavor right from the start.

Step 2: Sauté Onion and Garlic Until Tender

Once the beef is browned, add the finely diced onion and minced garlic straight into the pot. Cook everything together for around 2 to 3 minutes, stirring often, until the onions become translucent and soft but not browned. This step helps mellow the garlic and integrate flavors beautifully.

Step 3: Add Your Veggies, Rice, and Liquids

Next, stir in the chopped cabbage, carrots, tomato sauce, beef broth, uncooked white rice, bay leaf, and light brown sugar. This is where the magic happens—the rice will soak up those savory liquid flavors as it cooks, and the cabbage will soften perfectly. Give everything a good stir to combine.

Step 4: Simmer Until Everything is Tender

Bring the soup to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low and cover your pot. Let it cook for about 25 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the cabbage is melt-in-your-mouth soft. Keep an eye on it toward the end, and stir occasionally to prevent rice from sticking to the bottom.

Step 5: Final Touches to Finish

Before serving, fish out the bay leaf and discard it. Then sprinkle fresh chopped parsley on top for a lovely pop of color and freshness. Taste the soup and adjust salt and pepper if needed—you’ll find it’s usually just right.

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Pro Tips for Making Cabbage Roll Soup Recipe

Brown Your Beef Well: Browning builds flavor, so don’t rush this step or skip seasoning the beef beforehand.
Keep the Heat Low During Simmer: Medium-low heat prevents burning the rice and allows flavors to meld beautifully.
Don’t Skip the Brown Sugar: That tiny bit of sweetness balances the acidity from the tomato sauce in a way that surprises folks.
Watch Your Rice: Check tenderness toward the end to avoid overcooking and a mushy texture.

How to Serve Cabbage Roll Soup Recipe

The image shows a round white pot filled with a thick stew made of multiple layers. The bottom layer is a rich, red-orange tomato broth with a glossy texture, swirling around pieces of light brown cooked ground meat. Mixed in are chopped light green cabbage leaves and soft pieces of orange carrot, creating a varied texture and color contrast. Small sprigs of bright green parsley are sprinkled on top for garnish. The pot rests on a white marbled surface with some fresh parsley sprigs nearby and a blue striped cloth partially visible in the top left corner. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Cabbage Roll Soup, hearty cabbage soup, beef and cabbage soup, easy cabbage soup recipe, comfort food soups

Garnishes

I usually top my bowl with a handful of fresh chopped parsley because it adds a little herbal brightness and looks beautiful. Sometimes I drizzle a bit of sour cream on top—especially if it’s a chilly day and I want extra creaminess. If you’re feeling adventurous, a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes adds a nice kick.

Side Dishes

This soup is pretty filling on its own, but I like serving it with crusty bread, like a fresh baguette or garlic bread, to soak up every last drop. A simple green salad on the side balances the heartiness nicely and helps round out the meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve ladled the soup into rustic bread bowls—talk about cozy and pretty! Another favorite is topping it with shredded sharp cheddar and a few crispy fried onions to mimic that cabbage roll comfort but with a little twist.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cabbage roll soup in airtight containers in the fridge, and it usually keeps well for up to 4 days. I find the flavors actually deepen and taste even better the next day—perfect for an easy lunch or quick dinner.

Freezing

This soup freezes great. I portion it out into freezer-safe containers (leave some headspace for expansion) and freeze for up to 3 months. When I’m ready, I thaw it overnight in the fridge or gently reheat from frozen on the stove.

Reheating

To reheat leftovers, I prefer warming it slowly over medium heat on the stovetop with a splash of water or broth to loosen it up. This keeps the rice from clumping and preserves the fresh vegetable flavors. Microwaving works too—just stir halfway through for even heating.

FAQs

Can I make this Cabbage Roll Soup Recipe vegetarian?

Absolutely! Simply leave out the ground beef and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth. You can add more veggies like mushrooms, zucchini, or beans to keep it hearty and satisfying.
Is it okay to use instant rice instead of white rice?

I don’t recommend instant rice because it cooks much faster and may turn mushy during the soup’s simmer time. Using regular white rice helps the texture stay perfect and ensures it absorbs the flavors nicely.
How do I store leftover cabbage roll soup?

Store leftover soup in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Reheat gently for the best flavor and texture.
Can I prepare this soup in a slow cooker?

You sure can! Brown the meat and sauté the onions and garlic beforehand, then add all ingredients to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for about 3 hours until the rice and veggies are tender. Just add the parsley right before serving.

Final Thoughts

This Cabbage Roll Soup Recipe has become such a go-to in my kitchen, especially when I want something comforting without a fuss. It has this wonderful way of making you feel cozy and full, whether in the middle of a busy workweek or on a chilly weekend. When you make it yourself, you’ll see just how simple it is to get those classic flavors in one pot with minimal effort. Seriously, I can’t recommend it enough—you’re going to love how easy and delicious it is!