My Cozy Kitchen Trick
I love the taste of cabbage rolls. But rolling each one takes time. So I make a soup instead. It has all the same cozy flavors. I call it my deconstructed cabbage rolls.
This cabbage roll soup recipe is so simple. You just cook everything in one pot. It turns into a hearty cabbage soup that fills your belly. Doesn’t that smell amazing while it cooks? Tell me, what is your favorite cozy soup to make on a chilly day?
A Story From My Grandma
This soup reminds me of my childhood. My grandma made a similar Eastern European soup. Her kitchen was always warm and full of good smells. I still laugh at that. She would say the soup was “doctoring the soul.”
She knew something important. Sharing a warm bowl connects people. That’s why this matters. Food is more than just ingredients. It is a way to show love and care for your family.
Why This Soup Works
This is an easy cabbage roll soup. You start with onion and ground beef. That makes a rich, savory base. The tomato paste adds a sweet depth. Then comes the shredded cabbage.
*Fun fact*: Cabbage gets nice and sweet when you cook it. It softens in the warm beef broth. This creates a broth that is both light and satisfying. That’s the magic of a good cabbage soup with ground beef.
Keeping It Simple & Tasty
This is a quick cabbage soup. The rice cooks separately. You add it to your bowl later. This keeps the rice perfect, not mushy. It makes each bowl of ground beef and rice soup just right.
Here’s another reason this matters. Preparing your ingredients first makes everything easier. It’s called “mise en place.” It just means “everything in its place.” Try it next time you cook. Did you grow up learning a kitchen trick like this?
Your Bowl of Comfort
Ladle the hot soup over the rice in your bowl. The steam rises with a wonderful smell. It’s the definition of cozy soup recipes. Each spoonful is warm and comforting.
This soup is a whole meal in a bowl. It’s hearty, simple, and made with love. I think that’s the best kind of cooking. What ingredient in this soup are you most excited to try? Let me know if you make it.
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Olive oil | For sautéing | |
| White onion | 1 large | Finely diced |
| Ground beef | 1 ½ pounds | 85/15 fat to lean ratio |
| Salt | To taste | |
| Black pepper | To taste | |
| Granulated onion | ¼ teaspoon | |
| Granulated garlic | ¼ teaspoon | |
| Garlic cloves | 4 large | Pressed through garlic press |
| Tomato paste | 7 heaping tablespoons | |
| Green cabbage | 1 ¼ pounds | Thinly sliced or shredded |
| Beef broth/stock | 6 cups | Warm |
| White rice (uncooked) | 1 cup | Basmati is great |
| White pepper | ¼ teaspoon | |
| Parsley | 1 tablespoon | Chopped |
Instructions
Step 1: Grab your big soup pot. Warm some olive oil in it. Toss in your diced onion. Let it get soft and sweet. Doesn’t that smell amazing? I love this start to any hearty cabbage soup.
Step 2: Crumble in your ground beef. Add salt, pepper, and those granulated onions and garlic. Cook until it’s not pink anymore. This makes the base for our cabbage soup with ground beef. (Use your spoon to break it up small!)
Step 3: Stir in the fresh garlic and all that tomato paste. It will look so rich! Now add your shredded cabbage in handfuls. It seems like a lot, but it cooks down. This is the soul of our deconstructed cabbage rolls.
Step 4: Pour in the warm beef broth. Bring it all to a gentle bubble. Cover the pot and let it simmer. Your kitchen will fill with the cozy smell of this Eastern European soup. What’s your favorite cozy soup smell? Share below!
Step 5: Cook your rice separately. Keep it warm. Finish the easy cabbage roll soup with white pepper and parsley. To serve, put rice in a bowl and ladle soup over it. This cabbage roll soup recipe is pure comfort in a bowl.
Creative Twists
Use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version. Swap white rice for cauliflower rice to keep it low-carb. Add a dash of paprika for a little smoky warmth. Which one would you try first? Comment below!Serving & Pairing Ideas
Serve this quick cabbage soup with a big slice of crusty bread for dipping. A simple green salad on the side is perfect, too. For garnish, a little extra fresh parsley makes it pretty. This ground beef and rice soup is a full meal all by itself. Which would you choose tonight?
Making It Last: Storing Your Cabbage Roll Soup
Let’s talk about keeping your cozy soup tasty. Cool your soup completely first. Then, store it in the fridge for up to four days. The rice should always be kept separate. This keeps it from getting mushy.
You can freeze this soup for later, too. Just leave the rice out. Pack the soup into containers. It will be good in the freezer for three months. I remember my first big batch. I put the rice right in. We had a very soft supper that week!
Reheating is simple. Warm the soup in a pot on the stove. Add your fresh, hot rice to the bowl. Batch cooking like this saves busy nights. It turns a good meal into a gift for your future self. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!
Simple Fixes for Common Soup Troubles
Even grandmas run into little kitchen problems. Here are three easy fixes. First, if your soup tastes bland, check your salt. Broths vary in saltiness. Your soup might just need another pinch.
Second, is your ground beef clumpy? Break it up well with your spoon while cooking. I once had beef chunks so big, my grandson called it meatball soup! Third, if the cabbage is too tough, slice it thinner. A sharp knife makes this easy.
Getting these small things right builds your confidence. It also makes the flavors in your hearty cabbage soup sing. Good food should taste balanced and feel good to eat. Which of these problems have you run into before?
Your Quick Questions, Answered
What is the difference between stuffed cabbage and cabbage soup?
Traditional stuffed cabbage takes time. You roll meat and rice in cabbage leaves. This cabbage roll soup recipe is the deconstructed version. All the same flavors are in one pot. It is a quick cabbage soup that gives you the same cozy feeling in a fraction of the time.
Can you make stuffed cabbage soup in a slow cooker?
Yes, you can make this easy cabbage roll soup in a slow cooker. Brown your beef and onion first for best flavor. Then add everything except the rice to the pot. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Stir in your cooked rice just before serving. This makes it a truly hands-off Eastern European soup.
What are the best meats to use in stuffed cabbage soup?
Ground beef is classic for this cabbage soup with ground beef. A mix of beef and pork is also very traditional and tasty. For a lighter option, use ground turkey or chicken. The key is to use a meat with a little fat. This adds great flavor to your ground beef and rice soup.
How do you keep cabbage from getting soggy in soup?
Do not overcook it. Add the cabbage as the recipe says. Simmer just until it becomes tender. Also, slice it thinly. This helps it cook quickly and evenly. Storing the soup without the rice helps too. The cabbage stays nicer when it is not sitting in liquid for days.
Are there vegetarian or vegan versions of stuffed cabbage soup?
Absolutely. For a vegetarian soup, use a hearty mushroom or lentil instead of beef. Use vegetable broth too. For a vegan version, also skip any butter and use oil. These swaps still make a wonderfully hearty cabbage soup. It is one of the most flexible cozy soup recipes.
What can I substitute for tomato sauce in stuffed cabbage soup?
This recipe uses tomato paste for a rich flavor. In a pinch, you can use canned crushed tomatoes. You could also use a cup of marinara sauce. The soup might be a little thinner. A fun fact: some old family recipes use a bit of sauerkraut juice for tang instead of tomato!
Which tip will you try first?
From My Kitchen to Yours
I hope you love this deconstructed cabbage rolls soup as much as we do. It is a bowl full of warmth and history. Making it should bring you joy, not stress.
I would love to hear about your cooking adventure. Tell me how it turned out for your family. Your stories are my favorite thing to read. Have you tried this recipe? Let me know in the comments below.
Happy cooking!
—Grace Ellington.
Savory Stuffed Cabbage Soup
Description
Experience the comforting flavors of classic stuffed cabbage rolls in a quick and easy soup form.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Begin by gathering and prepping all of your ingredients according to the ingredient list above to have ready and organized for use.
- Place a large soup pot over medium-high heat, and drizzle in about 3 tablespoons of the olive oil; once hot, add in the diced onion, and sweat that for about 3-4 minutes, until tender.
- Crumble in the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon, and add in a pinch or two of salt and pepper, plus the granulated onion and garlic; cook the ground beef with the onions for about 4 minutes or so, or until it is almost cooked through.
- Add in the pressed garlic cloves, and stir those in until aromatic; add in the tomato paste, and stir that in to combine and cook for about 30 seconds.
- Next, add in the shredded/sliced cabbage in increments, stirring it into the beef mixture; once you add all of it in, add your warm beef broth/stock, and stir to combine.
- Bring the soup up to a rapid simmer/boil, then cover, reduce the heat to medium-low so that the soup is gently simmering, and cook for 15 minutes, just until the cabbage becomes tender.
- While the soup simmers, prepare your 1 cup of rice according to package instructions (or you can substitute 3 cups of pre-cooked rice), and keep that warm (you will keep the rice in a separate container from the soup).
- To finish the soup, sprinkle in the white pepper along with the chopped parsley, and stir to incorporate.
- To serve, add about ½ cup of cooked white rice to a serving bowl, ladle hot soup over top, and enjoy!
Notes
- Nutrition information is per serving and includes approximately ½ cup of cooked rice.