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🥣 This Cabbage Roll Soup has all the comfort of classic cabbage rolls made easy in one pot. Comfort food perfection! 🥬🍲
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If you love traditional cabbage rolls but want all the flavor without the fuss, this stuffed cabbage roll soup is for you! This hearty, one-pot cabbage roll soup recipe has everything you love about the classic dish – tender cabbage, savory ground meat, rice, and a rich tomato broth. It’s cozy, filling, and easy to make on the stovetop or as a slow cooker cabbage roll soup for busy days.
Whether you call it unstuffed cabbage roll soup or deconstructed cabbage rolls, this dish delivers all the comforting flavors of the original in half the time. Pair it with a crusty slice of bread for the ultimate comfort meal that will warm you up from the inside out.
⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple to make with everyday ingredients
- All the taste of cabbage rolls without the work of rolling
- Hearty, flavorful, and perfect for meal prep
- Easily adaptable for stovetop, Instant Pot, or slow cooker cooking
- Great for cozy dinners or freezer-friendly meals
🛒 Ingredients & Substitutions
- olive oil – substitute with vegetable or canola oil
- ground beef – substitute with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version
- ground pork – omit or replace with Italian sausage for extra flavor
- onion – use yellow, white, or sweet onion
- garlic – use jarred minced garlic if preferred
- beef broth – substitute with chicken or vegetable broth
- V8 vegetable juice – use tomato juice instead
- diced tomatoes – use crushed tomatoes for a smoother texture
- cabbage – use coleslaw mix in a pinch
- cooked rice – substitute with cooked quinoa or cauliflower rice
- dried basil – fresh basil can be used (triple the amount)
- dried oregano – substitute with Italian seasoning
- paprika – use smoked paprika for a deeper flavor
- salt and pepper – adjust to taste
✨ Variations
- Spicy twist: Add red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or a splash of hot sauce for a little heat.
- Low-carb version: Skip the rice and use riced cauliflower instead for a lighter meal.
- Vegetarian option: Swap the meat for lentils or a plant-based ground substitute.
- slow cooker cabbage roll soup: Brown the meat, then add all ingredients to the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
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🔥 Tips
- Use a mix of ground beef and pork for a deeper flavor.
- For extra richness, stir in a tablespoon of tomato paste when adding the broth.
- Taste before serving and adjust seasoning to your liking.
- If the soup thickens after sitting, add a little broth or water when reheating.
- Garnish with fresh parsley for a bright finish.
❓ FAQs
Yes, it reheats beautifully! Make it a day ahead, and the flavors will develop even more.
Long-grain white rice holds up best, but brown rice or jasmine rice works well, too.
Absolutely! Stir in cooked rice toward the end of cooking so it doesn’t get mushy.
Absolutely. Bell peppers, carrots, or zucchini all taste great in this unstuffed cabbage roll soup.
Let it simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes to reduce the broth, or add a small spoonful of tomato paste for a thicker texture.
It’s delicious with crusty bread, dinner rolls, or a fresh green salad on the side.
🍽️ Other Recipes You May Enjoy
Main Dish
Cabbage Rolls
Casserole
Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Casserole
Side Dish
Southern Bacon-Fried Cabbage
Cabbage Roll Soup
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Equipment
- large pot or dutch oven
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound ground pork
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 ½ cups V8 vegetable juice
- 1 can diced tomatoes, (14.5 ounces)
- 2 cups shredded cabbage
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot or dutch oven over medium heat. Add the ground beef and ground pork and cook until browned, breaking it up into crumbs with a wooden spoon.1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 pound ground beef, 1 pound ground pork
- Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the pot and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened.1 large onion, 3 cloves garlic
- Pour in the beef broth, V8 juice, and diced tomatoes. Stir to combine.4 cups beef broth, 1 ½ cups V8 vegetable juice, 1 can diced tomatoes
- Add the shredded cabbage, cooked rice, dried basil, dried oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper.2 cups shredded cabbage, 1 cup cooked rice, 1 teaspoon dried basil, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, ½ teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed.
- Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley if desired.fresh parsley
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
🥡 STORAGE
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Let the soup cool completely before refrigerating.
♨️ REHEATING
- Reheat on the stovetop over medium heat until warm.
- For a quick option, microwave individual servings in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each.
❄️ FREEZING
- Allow soup to cool completely, then transfer to freezer-safe containers or bags.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
💡 TIPS FOR BEST RESULTS
- Brown the meat well for added flavor.
- If you like heat, add red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper.
- Add diced carrots, bell peppers, or zucchini for extra veggies.
- Use cooked rice that isn’t mushy to maintain texture.
🍳 ALTERNATE COOKING METHODS
- Slow cooker: Brown the meats, then add all ingredients to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
- Instant Pot: Use the Sauté mode to brown the meat, then add all other ingredients and pressure-cook for 10 minutes with a quick release.
♻️ LEFTOVERS
- Use leftovers as a filling for stuffed bell peppers.
- Serve with crusty bread or over mashed potatoes for a hearty meal.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
