Easy & Quick Cabbage Roll Soup: Unstuffed, Hearty, and Delicious Weeknight Meal

Embrace the cozy flavors of traditional stuffed cabbage rolls without all the fuss! This Cabbage Roll Soup is a simple, hearty, healthy, and incredibly delicious meal that comes together in minutes, perfect for busy evenings.

Traditional stuffed cabbage rolls are a beloved classic in many cultures, cherished for their comforting blend of seasoned ground beef, rice, and tender cabbage, all simmered in a rich tomato sauce. However, anyone who has made them knows they can be quite a labor of love. The process typically involves browning ground meat, cooking rice, meticulously boiling and softening cabbage leaves, carefully rolling each individual portion, and then baking for an extended period. While the result is undoubtedly rewarding, the time and effort involved can often deter even the most enthusiastic home cook on a busy weeknight.

That’s where this incredible Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Soup comes to the rescue! This recipe captures all the iconic flavors of the classic dish – the savory beef, the tender rice, the sweet and tangy tomato broth, and the mild earthiness of cabbage – but transforms it into a quick and easy one-pot meal. Forget the tedious rolling and long baking times; this comforting soup is ready in a fraction of the time, making it an ideal choice for a delicious and wholesome dinner without the stress.

Why This Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Soup Recipe Works So Well

This unstuffed cabbage roll soup isn’t just a convenient alternative; it’s a culinary marvel that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort. Here’s why this recipe will quickly become a staple in your kitchen:

• All the Flavor, Half the Work: Ground beef, tender rice, and fresh cabbage are simmered together in a rich, savory tomato and beef broth. This creates a deeply comforting and hearty bowl of soup that mirrors the taste profile of classic cabbage rolls but in a much quicker, deconstructed format. You get all the robust, familiar flavors without the painstaking rolling process.
• Perfect Comfort Food: There’s nothing quite like a warm, flavorful soup to chase away the chill of a cold evening. This cabbage roll soup is incredibly satisfying and provides that heartwarming comfort often associated with homemade meals, making it ideal for family dinners or a cozy night in.
• Highly Customizable: This recipe is incredibly versatile and easily adaptable to your dietary preferences or what you have on hand. Feel free to swap ingredients to suit your taste:
  • Grains: Use brown rice, wild rice, or even quinoa instead of white rice for added fiber and a nuttier flavor.
  • Protein: Ground turkey, chicken, or even a plant-based meat alternative can be used in place of ground beef.
  • Broth: Vegetable broth can be substituted for beef broth for a lighter or vegetarian option (ensure other ingredients are also vegetarian-friendly).
  • Veggies: Add bell peppers, celery, or diced tomatoes for extra nutrition and flavor complexity.
• A Nod to Tradition: Just like my mom’s Goulash recipe, which is a beloved staple in our house (and I know you guys love it too!), this cabbage roll soup carries that comforting, nostalgic feel. Stuffed cabbage rolls themselves were often a signature dish of Polish grandmas and other Eastern European cooks, a testament to their ability to create deeply flavorful meals from simple, wholesome ingredients. This soup pays homage to that tradition in a modern, accessible way.
• Healthy & Wholesome: Packed with vegetables, lean protein, and fiber, this soup is a nutritious meal choice that is both satisfying and good for you. It’s a great way to incorporate more cabbage into your diet.

Gather Your Ingredients for This Simple Soup

One of the beauties of this cabbage roll soup is its reliance on readily available and simple ingredients. You likely have many of these in your pantry already! Here’s what you’ll need to create this comforting dish:

• Olive Oil
• Lean Ground Beef (or your preferred ground meat)
• Onion
• Garlic cloves
• Carrots
• Green Cabbage
• Long Grain White Rice (uncooked)
• Tomato Sauce
• Beef Broth (low sodium is recommended for better flavor control)
• Brown Sugar (just a touch for sweetness and balance)
• Salt
• Italian Seasoning
• Bay Leaf (for added depth)

These ingredients come together to create a symphony of flavors that will remind you of the classic dish, but in a fraction of the time.

How to Make This Effortless Cabbage Roll Soup

For your convenience, be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post for the FULL PRINTABLE recipe card with exact measurements and detailed instructions. This recipe is designed to be incredibly simple; you essentially just combine everything and let it simmer to perfection!

1. Brown the Beef & Aromatics: In a large stock pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and finely chopped onion. Break up the beef with a spoon as it cooks. Sauté for about 5-6 minutes, or until the beef is fully cooked through and the onions have become soft and translucent. This step builds the foundational flavors of your soup. During the last minute of cooking, stir in the minced garlic. Cooking the garlic for just a short period prevents it from burning and ensures its aromatic flavor permeates the mixture perfectly.
2. Combine and Simmer: Once the beef and onions are perfectly browned, add all the remaining ingredients to the pot: the diced carrots, chopped green cabbage, tomato sauce, uncooked white rice, low-sodium beef broth, bay leaf, brown sugar, salt, and Italian seasoning. Give everything a good stir to ensure it’s well combined. Bring the mixture to a low boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Let it cook uncovered for approximately 20-25 minutes, or until the rice is fully cooked and tender, and the cabbage has softened. The rice will absorb some of the liquid and plump up, thickening the soup beautifully. Stir occasionally to prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom.
3. Serve and Enjoy: As soon as the rice is cooked to your liking, the soup is ready to be served! Remove the bay leaf before serving. Ladle the hearty soup into bowls. For a touch of freshness and color, you can garnish with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley, or simply enjoy it as is. It’s truly a complete meal in a bowl, perfect for a satisfying dinner.

Expert Tips for the Best Cabbage Roll Soup

Achieving the perfect Cabbage Roll Soup is easy with a few simple tips:

• Don’t Overcook the Rice: Keep an eye on the soup as it simmers. Once the rice is tender, the soup is done. Overcooking can lead to mushy rice and a soup that’s too thick.
• Adjust Sweetness/Tanginess: The brown sugar adds a subtle sweetness that balances the acidity of the tomato sauce. Taste and adjust to your preference – a little more sugar or a splash of apple cider vinegar can fine-tune the flavor.
• Low Sodium Broth: Using low-sodium beef broth gives you control over the saltiness of the soup. You can always add more salt, but you can’t take it away!
• Variations on Cabbage: While green cabbage is traditional, you can experiment with savoy cabbage for a slightly milder flavor and softer texture.
• Garnish for Freshness: Fresh dill or parsley sprinkled over the top adds a wonderful fresh counterpoint to the rich flavors. A dollop of sour cream or plain Greek yogurt also makes a fantastic creamy addition.

Can You Freeze This Delicious Cabbage Soup?

Yes, absolutely! This cabbage roll soup freezes beautifully, making it an excellent option for meal prepping and having ready-to-eat comfort food on hand. The rice does tend to absorb some additional liquid and can get a tiny bit softer in texture after freezing and reheating, but it’s generally not a significant problem and still tastes fantastic. To enjoy your frozen soup:

• Freezing: Allow the soup to cool completely before transferring it to airtight freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
• Reheating: Thaw the soup overnight in the refrigerator, or gently reheat from frozen on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally. If the soup appears too thick after reheating (which is common due to rice absorption), simply add a little extra beef broth or water to thin it out to your desired consistency. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

What to Serve with Hearty Cabbage Soup?

This cabbage roll soup is incredibly satisfying on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides that complement its rich flavors. Here are some delicious ideas:

• Crusty bread or rolls are perfect for soaking up every last drop of the flavorful broth. Try:
  • Parmesan Garlic Knots
  • Fluffy Crescent Rolls
  • Homemade Breadsticks (like Olive Garden style)
  • Sweet Honey Butter Dinner Rolls
• A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette dressing offers a refreshing contrast.
• A side of steamed or roasted vegetables like green beans or broccoli for extra greens.

If you grew up with the comforting taste of traditional cabbage rolls but haven’t made them recently due to the time commitment, this Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Soup is truly for you. It masterfully captures all the beloved flavors of the classic dish but in a warm, comforting, and incredibly easy soup form. What I particularly love about this soup is that it’s ready in just minutes – a true weeknight wonder.

Many complex soups require hours of simmering to develop rich flavors, but this recipe is different. Thanks to the robust combination of savory ground beef, vibrant tomato sauce, and hearty beef broth, there’s enough flavor development happening quickly that extended cooking isn’t necessary. In fact, if you were to simmer it for too long, the rice would risk becoming a mushy mess. Instead, the ingredients come together beautifully in under an hour, delivering a rich and delicious meal without requiring you to stand over the stove all day. It’s a comforting, healthy, and satisfying meal that will quickly become a family favorite.

Discover More Quick & Easy Soup Recipes

If you love the idea of a fast, delicious, and comforting meal in a bowl, then you’ll definitely want to explore these other quick soup recipes. They’re perfect for busy schedules and packed with flavor:

• Creamy Chicken Tortellini Soup
• Hearty Chicken Gnocchi Soup
• Vibrant Carrot Ginger Soup
• Authentic Wonton Soup
• Flavorful Taco Soup
• Classic Minestrone Soup (Olive Garden Style)
• Creamy Broccoli Cheese Soup
• Rich French Onion Soup

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