Everything you love about cabbage rolls minus all the work! This soup ticks all the comfort boxes and will keep you warm and cozy on those cold winter days.
This soup comes together in a cinch! One pot meals are such a huge win for any day of the week but especially on busy weeknights.
What you need to make this soup
- Ground beef - can substitute any ground meat
- Onion
- Carrot
- Celery
- Garlic
- Cabbage - Green, Savoy or Napa
- Whole canned tomatoes
- Tomato paste
- Beef stock - can substitute with chicken or vegetable
- Black rice - or any type of rice, uncooked
- Hot paprika - can use mild
- Bay Leaf
- Brown sugar
- Worcestershire sauce - can substitute with soy sauce
- Optional sour cream and fresh parsley garnish
How to make cabbage roll soup
- Heat olive oil and sauté onions, carrot, celery and beef, breaking beef apart, cooking for 8-10 minutes, until beef is cooked.
- Stir in paprika, tomato paste, sugar and Worcestershire sauce.
- Add chopped cabbage, tomatoes, broth/stock, rice and bay leaf.
- Stir and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover and cook for about 25 minutes or until rice is cooked.
- Add extra stock or water if you prefer it to be thinner.
- Top with a dollop of sour cream and fresh parsley.
More Soups For You To Enjoy
- SMOKY LENTIL AND BACON SOUP
- CREAMY CHICKEN AND MUSHROOM SOUP WITH DILL
- ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH, FENNEL AND APPLE SOUP
Cabbage Roll Soup
All the flavours of cabbage rolls without all the work!
Servings: 8 to 10
Equipment
- Large soup pot
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb ground beef, can substitute any ground meat or beans
- 1 large onion, diced
- 1 large carrot, diced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (1 ½ tbsp)
- 1 small head green cabbage, chopped or sliced
- 1 teaspoon hot or mild paprika
- 2 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 x 796 ml/28 oz can whole tomatoes, chopped or pureed
- 6 cups beef, chicken, or vegetables stock/broth
- ¾ cup black rice, wild rice, brown or white rice, uncooked
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt and pepper
Optional Toppings
- Sour cream or plain yogurt
- Fresh, chopped parsley
- Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- In a large soup pot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add ground meat, onions, carrot, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally for about 10 minutes or until beef is cooked and onions are soft.
- Add garlic, cabbage, paprika, tomato paste, sugar and Worcestershire sauce. Stir to combine well.
- Add canned tomatoes, stock/broth, rice, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 25 minutes or until cabbage is soft. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve garnished with sour cream, plain yogurt, fresh parsley and/or Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- The soup is thick and stew-like. Add extra stock if you prefer it thinner.
- Lasts for 5 days in the refrigerator.
- Freeze in airtight container for up to 6 months.
- Make it vegan/vegetarian by replacing the meat with your favourite beans.
Sue Noonan says
This soup is very popular in my household. Tastes just like eating a cabbage roll but without all that work! The directions are very clear and it was easy to make. This soup is pretty thick so adding a bit more broth could help alleviate that.
I doubled the recipe - you will need a BIG pot to do that - then divided the soup into servings of two and froze it. Reheat and a hearty lunch is served!
Andrea says
Thanks so much for your comment. I'm happy you enjoyed the soup!
Judy says
Well, made this one too. I had intended to halve it. But forgot. Don’t ask. I threw in the whole wee can of tomato paste, I have tried freezing leftover paste before but tend to forget it there until it becomes an entirely different entity. I also added a teaspoon of caraway seed. This reminds me of my Ma’s cabbage soup, and I was going to add a handful of sauerkraut, swore up and down that I had some, but no. Likely hiding with the previous dabs of paste. And skipped the rice as I am not keen on it in a soup. It is delish, and will be feeding me until spring.
Andrea says
So happy you enjoyed it Judy!!
Anna Hislop says
You can tomato paste now in tubes. Found them at Walmart. Game changer. Once you open tube you refrigerate.
Hope that’s helpful.
Annie says
This soup is one of my faves! I've made this twice so far. The second time I got my food processer out and cut up the cabbage that way. I made the pieces nice and small which I like in the soup. This freezes really well too.
Kerry says
Hi Andrea! The soup was spectacular!! First timer on The Livy Method. The made a little adjustment. I cooked the rice separately so everyone could control how much rice they wanted. This way I could have the soup for lunch and add some rice or for dinner and no rice! Thank you for a great recipe!! Fellow foodie!
Kerry 🙂
Amy Dunollie says
Is there a reason you don’t list red cabbage as an option?
Andrea says
Hi Amy!
You can totally use red cabbage. The colour just might not be very appealing but it works! Enjoy!
Elaine Harkiss-Laird says
Hi Andrea - would red cabbage work okay?
Thanks!
Andrea says
Hi Elaine!
Yes you can use red cabbage. Just keep in mind it will give it a pink colour. Enjoy!
Suzanne says
I made this last night and it is way way thicker than the picture you provided but, I am okay with that. It is unbelievably good even though I had not enough beef stock and substituted water, it was superb. Even the hubs ate it and he said it was very good. Will be making this again. Oh and you are right, it makes a lot. I froze some and have enough for lunches for the week.
Angie says
I have a ton of pre-cut cabbage - approx how many cups would be the equivalent to a small head of cabbage?
Andrea says
Hi Angie!
It would be about 8 cups give or take. Hope you enjoy it!
Angie says
Thank you!!
Angie says
I made this today - absolutely amazing!! Thanks again!!
Kerri says
First time trying Livy Method. Is it ok to have this as supper with the rice?
Andrea says
Hi Kerri!
Yes it's totally fine as it's only a small amount. You can also omit the rice if you want. Depends on how hard core you want to be with it 😀
Shana Boertien says
Hi Andrea!! Any chance you’ve timed this with an instant pot? No worries if not, I will figure it out! ☺️
Andrea says
Sorry but I haven't. I don't even have one lol!
Susan McConnell says
I’m just making this today and going to try in the instant pot. Just wondering if you ended up timing it?
Andrea says
Hi Susan!
I don't have an instant pot so haven't tested that. You could Google search for a timing on another recipe. Let me know how it turns out!
C Landry says
This soup is delicious! I have told everyone I know to make it. Hearty, healthy, tasty, fulfilling and keeps me on the Livy plan. Love, love, love it!
Kathleen says
If we are making this for lunch on Gina's plan do we need to add more veggies, or is it a full meal on its own?
Andrea says
It's good the way it is for lunch! 😀
Katie Seaborne says
Hi Andrea,
I am just wondering if it would be better to omit the rice for Gina's plan? I can't wait to make this soup this weekend!! 🙂
Andrea says
Hi Katie!
You can leave it out if you like. Or use black or wild rice which is totally on plan.
Hope you enjoy it!
Sharone O’Brien says
We absolutely LOVE this soup! We are first time Gina Livy Plan members, seniors (75 & 76 married 52 years) and are so enjoying trying these new recipes. This is absolutely the most wonderful, fulfilling soup. Having it for lunch as soon as it heats up - froze several meals of it. It’s very uplifting to go to your recipes and find such great, easy suggestions. . Tomorrow I am making the curried chicken and veggies.
Andrea says
I am so happy to hear that! I'm thrilled that you are finding my recipes so easy and delicious! Thanks for posting. 😊
Donna says
Fantastic soup! Really delicious!
Laura O’Brien says
Making this big batch today ! Can’t wait
Andrea says
Love it!!
Laura Obrien says
This was a huge hit at home. I couldn’t keep them away from the pot!
Andrea says
I love it! So happy everyone enjoyed it!
Janet Marks says
Love cabbage rolls - and this soup is even better! So perfect for winter and keeping warm. Can't wait to try another recipe
Andrea says
Yes a perfect comforting bowl of goodness! Happy you enjoyed it!
Laura says
This was so easy to make and absolutely delicious. It made a huge amount so I will be freezing for round 3 of Gina’s program !!
Andrea says
Yay! So happy you enjoyed it! It does make lots! Enjoy!
Cheryl says
Andrea! I made this a couple days ago. Thank you for posting the link in the Livy Plan fall group. It's delicious. I ate it yesterday for lunch and for supper. Soooo goood!!!!
Andrea says
I'm so happy you enjoyed it!!
Eveline says
Made the soup with chicken broth, will use beef broth next time.
The soup is great and there was plenty to freeze.
Nice recipe.
Andrea says
I'm happy you enjoyed it!
Donna Fradette says
Yummmmmyyyyyy! This was such a great idea Ann and sooo tasty! And so easy! Already had everything in the fridge/pantry. A new staple for sure...thanks!
Andrea says
So happy you enjoyed it Donna!! Definitely some nourishing comfort food!