Cabbage Roll Soup

 If you love the cozy, satisfying taste of traditional cabbage rolls but don’t have the time to stuff and roll each leaf, this soup is your answer. All the beloved flavors are here—savory ground beef, tender cabbage, tomatoes, and rice, simmered together in a richly seasoned broth. Everything comes together in one pot, with no folding, rolling, or long baking required.

Ingredients

Soup Base

• 1½ lbs ground beef or ground turkey, browned and drained

• 2 stalks celery, diced

• ½ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped (optional)

• 3–4 cups water

• 2 cups low-sodium beef broth (about 1 can)

• 4 cups canned diced tomatoes (about two 14 oz cans)

• ½ cup long grain white rice or brown rice

• 2 cups chopped green cabbage (add more if you like)

Seasonings

• 1 tablespoon sugar

• 1 bay leaf

• 1 teaspoon seasoning salt (or regular salt, to taste)

• 1 tablespoon black pepper

• 1 tablespoon garlic powder

• 1–2 tablespoons beef base (use more for a richer flavor)

Method

1. Brown the Meat
   In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, brown the ground meat over medium heat. Drain any excess fat and return the meat to the pot.

2. Sauté the Vegetables
   Add the diced celery and parsley (if using). Cook for 2–3 minutes, until the celery begins to soften.

3. Add Liquids & Tomatoes
   Pour in the water, beef broth, and diced tomatoes with their juice. Stir well to combine.

4. Season
   Stir in the sugar, bay leaf, seasoning salt, pepper, garlic powder, and beef base until evenly incorporated.

5. Add Rice & Cabbage
   Mix in the uncooked rice and chopped cabbage. Bring the soup to a gentle boil.

6. Simmer
   Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30–40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rice is tender and the cabbage is soft. Add a little more water or broth if the soup becomes too thick.

7. Serve
   Remove the bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Ladle into bowls and enjoy warm.

Tips

• For extra richness, use beef broth in place of water.

• This soup thickens as it sits—add a splash of broth when reheating if desired.

• Substitute ground turkey or plant-based grounds for a lighter version.