Meaty Cabbage Roll Soup
Cabbage Roll Soup is a hearty, comforting classic inspired by the 1960s. Filled with tender cabbage, savory beef, and a rich tomato broth, it’s an easy, one-pot meal perfect for cozy family dinners or a taste of nostalgia.
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 cup yellow onion finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1/2 tablespoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 4 cups cabbage chopped
- 14.5 ounces can diced tomatoes undrained
- 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon maggi sauce optional
- 6 cups beef broth use low or no-sodium added
- 1/2 cup long grain rice uncooked
- 1/2 tablespoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
- parsley optional garnish
Instructions
- Heat a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add ground beef, onion, and garlic. Cook, breaking the meat into crumbles, until the beef is browned and the onion is softened. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in tomato paste, paprika, thyme, and the bay leaf. Cook for about 1 minute, then add the cabbage and cook for another 3 minutes, letting it start to soften.
- Mix in the beef broth, diced tomatoes (with their juices), uncooked rice, vinegar, Maggi Sauce (if using), salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
- Bring the soup to a boil over high heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 20–25 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Ensure the rice is tender and the cabbage is fully cooked. Remove the bay leaf, taste, and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Ladle the soup into bowls, garnish with parsley if desired, and serve immediately.
Notes
Chef Jenn’s Tips
- Use a heavy-bottomed pot for even heat distribution and to prevent sticking.
- Replace Maggi Sauce with 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce if preferred.
- For a vegetarian version, use plant-based crumbles and swap beef broth for vegetable broth.
- Don’t skip the vinegar—it enhances the flavor and balances the richness of the dish.
Nutrition
Serving: 1cupCalories: 168kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 17gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 35mgSodium: 1273mgPotassium: 577mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 444IUVitamin C: 21mgCalcium: 66mgIron: 3mg
A Note on Nutritional Information
Nutritional information for this recipe is provided as a courtesy and is calculated based on available online ingredient information. It is only an approximate value. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site cannot be guaranteed.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!