Cabbage Roll Soup With Ground Beef: A Hearty One-Pot Comfort Food

If you love the flavors of traditional stuffed cabbage rolls but want something quicker and easier, this Cabbage Roll Soup With Ground Beef is the perfect solution. Packed with tender cabbage, savory ground beef, rice, and a flavorful tomato broth, this one-pot cabbage roll soup recipe is warm, filling, and comforting — everything you crave in a homemade soup.

It’s the best of unstuffed cabbage, transforming the classic dish into an easy weeknight meal. Plus, it works beautifully in a slow cooker as a stuffed cabbage roll soup crock pot recipe or even simmered slowly in a cabbage roll soup Dutch oven.

If you’re a soup lover, you may also enjoy our creamy Italian sausage pasta soup and slow cooker taco casserole — both excellent crock pot recipes for hearty dinners.

Why You’ll Love This Cabbage Roll Soup With Ground Beef

This cabbage roll soup with ground beef is:
✅ Full of classic stuffed cabbage flavors with less work
✅ Perfect for crock pot recipes or stovetop
✅ A healthier comfort food with lean meat and lots of veggies
✅ Easy to adapt to cabbage and pork soup or even a cabbage roll soup vegetarian version

For busy nights, meal prep, or cozy weekends, this recipe will quickly become a family favorite.

Ingredients for Cabbage Roll Soup With Ground Beef

To make this one-pot cabbage roll soup recipe, you’ll need:

• 1 pound lean ground beef (or ground pork for cabbage and pork soup)
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups chopped green cabbage
• 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
• 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
• 4 cups beef broth
• ½ cup uncooked long-grain white rice
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: fresh parsley for garnish

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

For this cabbage roll soup recipe, you’ll need:

• Large pot or Dutch oven (or slow cooker for stuffed cabbage roll soup crock pot)
• Wooden spoon
• Knife and cutting board
• Measuring cups and spoons

How to Make Cabbage Roll Soup With Ground Beef

Step 1: Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until browned. Drain excess fat.

Step 2: Add onion and garlic; sauté until fragrant and softened.

Step 3: Stir in cabbage, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, beef broth, rice, paprika, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil.

Step 4: Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until rice is tender and cabbage is soft.

Step 5: Taste and adjust seasoning. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Crock Pot and Vegetarian Variations

For stuffed cabbage roll soup crock pot, brown the beef and onion as directed, then transfer to a slow cooker with the remaining ingredients. Cook on LOW for 6–8 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours.

For cabbage roll soup vegetarian, omit the beef, use vegetable broth, and add a can of drained lentils or chickpeas for protein.

Tips for the Best Unstuffed Cabbage Soup

• Use short-grain rice for a creamier texture or brown rice for more fiber (increase cook time if using brown rice).
• Swap in ground pork or turkey for a lighter or more traditional flavor.
• Add a splash of vinegar or lemon juice before serving to brighten the flavors.
• Make a double batch and freeze leftovers for up to 3 months.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this cabbage roll soup with ground beef with:
🥖 Crusty bread or rolls for dipping
🥗 A green salad for a lighter side
🧂 A sprinkle of parmesan or a dollop of sour cream for richness

If you love hearty soups, don’t miss our sausage ditalini soup or slow cooker garlic butter steak bites — both equally satisfying.

Storage Tips

Store cooled soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave. Freeze for longer storage and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

FAQ: Cabbage Roll Soup With Ground Beef

Can I use brown rice?
Yes, just increase the cook time by 15–20 minutes, or cook the rice separately and stir it in at the end.

What kind of cabbage works best?
Green cabbage is classic, but savoy or napa cabbage also work well.

Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, as long as you use gluten-free broth and rice.

Can I make this in advance?
Absolutely — it tastes even better the next day!

Final Thoughts: Comforting and Easy

This cabbage roll soup with ground beef brings all the beloved flavors of traditional cabbage rolls into a cozy, easy-to-make soup. Whether you make it as a stovetop one-pot cabbage roll soup recipe, a slow simmer in a Dutch oven, or as one of your favorite crock pot recipes, it’s sure to warm hearts and bellies.

For even more comfort food inspiration, try our creamy vegetarian lasagna or turkey and sweet potato bake — perfect healthy dinners for any night.

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