This is my soupified version of cabbage rolls. It tastes just like the real thing, but is way less effort. You can make it in under 45 minutes!
Looking for more easy soup recipes? Try my Lasagna Soup or Stuffed Pepper Soup next!
About This Recipe
Here is another recipe that falls into the category of "popular dishes, but soupified". It has all the same great flavors as cabbage rolls, but it is so much quicker to make. No rolling or baking required. All you do is saute the beef and veggies, add the stock, rice, and tomato sauce, then simmer for about 25 minutes.
When I was a kid, I used to make cabbage rolls with my mom. First, you had to boil the cabbage leaves to soften them. Then you made the filling, rolled everything up, and finally baked them. None of the steps were complicated on their own, but the time involved slowly added up. Before you knew it... 3 hours had gone by.
That's why I love this recipe. It's way faster, and you still get the same delicious flavors.
If you're still reading, I got a pro tip for all my fiber folks. I stirred in ยฝ a cup of wheat bran after I took the pictures for this recipe. It thickened the soup a tiny bit (which I offset by adding some more beef broth), but otherwise there was no difference in flavor or texture. I highly recommend it if you're looking for ways to add more fiber to your diet!
Key Ingredients
Olive oil: For sauteeing the beef and vegetables.
Lean ground beef: Cabbage rolls are usually made with a combination of ground beef and pork, but my opinion is that 100% beef tastes the best in the soup version. Also, ground pork has more fat, which I don't like.
Vegetables: Onions, garlic, green cabbage, carrots, and parsley.
Beef broth: For the broth, I just combine Better Than Bouillon beef base with water.
Tomato sauce: It's not cabbage rolls without tomato sauce. If you don't have plain tomato sauce, you can also use your favorite pasta sauce, but I'd recommend tossing in a bit of tomato paste since pasta sauce is less acidic.
White rice: Any grain of rice will work. I used white jasmine rice, but you can use short grain or long grain, and if you're looking for healthier options, brown works too.
Seasonings: Bay leaf, brown sugar, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Instructions
STEP 1: Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Cook and crumble the ground beef, onions, and garlic until no longer pink, about 6-7 minutes.
STEP 2: Add the carrots and cabbage, and saute for another 3-4 minutes.
STEP 3: Add the beef broth, tomato sauce, rice, bay leaf, brown sugar, and paprika. Bring to a simmer and cook for 25 minutes, or until the rice is tender.
STEP 4: Remove the bay leaf and season with salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with parsley. Enjoy!
๐ Recipe
Cabbage Roll Soup
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- ยฝ medium green cabbage (diced)
- 2 medium carrots (diced)
- 5-6 cups beef broth
- 3 (8-ounce) cans tomato sauce
- ยฝ cup uncooked white rice
- 1 bay leaf
- 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
- ยฝ teaspoon paprika
- ยฝ teaspoon salt and pepper (or more to taste)
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Cook and crumble the ground beef, onions, and garlic until no longer pink, about 6-7 minutes.
- Add the cabbage and carrots, and saute for another 3-4 minutes.
- Add the beef broth, tomato sauce, rice, bay leaf, brown sugar, and paprika. Bring to a simmer and cook for 25 minutes, or until the rice is tender.
- Remove the bay leaf and season with salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with parsley. Enjoy!
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