This Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Soup is a comforting and hearty one-pot meal that captures all the delicious flavors of traditional cabbage rolls without the time-consuming process of rolling them. It’s a perfect weeknight dinner, combining savory ground meat, tender cabbage, rice, and carrots in a rich, tomato-based broth. The soup is incredibly flavorful and satisfying, with a rustic charm that feels like a warm hug in a bowl. It’s a family-friendly dish that is easy to make and can be customized to your taste. The combination of sweet and tangy tomato sauce, savory ground beef, and the subtle sweetness of cooked cabbage and carrots creates a balanced and deeply satisfying flavor profile.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or other cooking oil
- 1 ½ lbs ground beef (or a mix of ground beef and pork)
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 large head of green cabbage, cored and chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 2 large carrots, peeled and diced
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 4-6 cups beef broth (or chicken broth, depending on preference)
- 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice, rinsed
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar (optional, for balancing acidity)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Prepare the Ingredients: Begin by prepping all your vegetables. Chop the onion, mince the garlic, core and chop the cabbage into roughly 1-inch squares, and dice the carrots. Rinsing the rice is important to remove excess starch, which helps prevent the soup from becoming too thick and gummy.
- Brown the Meat: Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it is browned and no longer pink. Drain off any excess grease, leaving a tablespoon or two in the pot for flavor.
- Sauté Aromatics and Vegetables: Add the chopped onion and diced carrots to the pot with the cooked ground beef. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions have softened and become translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Build the Broth Base: Pour in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and 4 cups of beef broth. Stir well to combine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot, as this adds a lot of flavor. Add the Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar (if using), dried oregano, and dried thyme. Season with salt and black pepper to your liking.
- Add the Cabbage and Rice: Stir in the chopped cabbage and the rinsed rice. The pot will look very full, but the cabbage will cook down significantly. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer.
- Simmer and Cook: Cover the pot and let the soup simmer for 25-30 minutes, or until the cabbage is tender and the rice is fully cooked. Stir the soup occasionally to prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom of the pot. If the soup becomes too thick for your liking, you can add the remaining 2 cups of beef broth, one cup at a time, to reach your desired consistency. Taste the soup and adjust the seasonings as needed. You may need more salt, pepper, or a pinch more brown sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes.
- Serve: Once the soup is ready, ladle it into bowls. Garnish with a generous sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley for a pop of color and fresh flavor. This soup is delicious on its own, but it also pairs wonderfully with a side of crusty bread for dipping. For a richer, creamier finish, some people enjoy stirring in a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt just before serving.
This Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Soup is more than just a quick meal; it’s a comforting and complete dish that delivers on flavor and satisfaction. It’s a testament to how simple ingredients can come together to create something truly special. The hearty combination of meat and vegetables makes it a nourishing meal that is perfect for a chilly evening or a busy weeknight. It also reheats beautifully, making it an excellent option for meal prep. The flavors deepen overnight, so a bowl of leftover soup can be even more delicious than the first serving. Enjoy!