Description

This hearty Cabbage Roll Soup captures all the comforting flavors of classic cabbage rolls in a warming, easy-to-make soup. Ground beef, cabbage, carrots, and rice simmer together in a savory tomato and beef broth base, enhanced with Worcestershire sauce and a touch of brown sugar for balanced sweetness. Perfect for a cozy weeknight meal, this recipe is straightforward, nutritious, and satisfying.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Oil

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound lean ground beef

Vegetables

1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups chopped green cabbage
2 medium carrots, peeled, quartered, and sliced

Liquids and Sauces

4 cups low-sodium beef broth
24 ounces tomato sauce
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

Other Ingredients

½ cup uncooked long-grain white rice
2 bay leaves
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
Salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

Brown beef: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 1 pound of lean ground beef, seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Cook the beef until fully browned and crumbled, approximately 5–6 minutes.
Sauté vegetables: Add the finely diced medium yellow onion and 3 cloves of minced garlic to the browned beef. Sauté for about 2 minutes until the onion softens. Then add 4 cups of chopped green cabbage and 2 medium peeled, quartered, and sliced carrots, cooking everything together for another 3 minutes to meld the flavors.
Simmer soup: Pour in 4 cups of low-sodium beef broth, 24 ounces of tomato sauce, and 2 teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce into the pot. Stir in ½ cup of uncooked long-grain white rice, 2 bay leaves, and 2 tablespoons of light brown sugar. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook uncovered for 25–30 minutes, or until the rice and vegetables are tender and the flavors have melded.
Serve: Remove the bay leaves from the soup. Taste and adjust salt and pepper seasoning as needed. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve hot for a comforting and delicious meal.

Notes

Using lean ground beef reduces excess fat and keeps the soup lighter.
For a gluten-free version, ensure the Worcestershire sauce is gluten-free or substitute with tamari.
The rice cooks directly in the soup; no precooking is necessary.
Feel free to substitute brown rice for additional fiber, though cooking time may increase.
This soup stores well and often tastes better the next day after flavors have melded further.
To make it vegetarian, swap beef broth for vegetable broth and use plant-based ground meat substitutes if desired.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Soup
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Cabbage Roll Soup, Ground Beef Soup, Comfort Food Soup, Easy Dinner Soup, Cabbage Soup, Hearty Soup