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Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Soup

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This easy, cozy soup brings all the flavors of classic cabbage rolls—savory beef, sweet cabbage, tangy tomatoes, and tender rice—together in one comforting pot, without the fuss of rolling. Perfect for busy weeknights or lazy Sundays, it’s a hearty, crowd-pleasing dinner that warms you from the inside out.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (or vegetable oil)
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 pound ground beef (85/15 preferred, or ground turkey/pork)
  • 4 cups green cabbage, chopped (about half a medium head)
  • 2 medium carrots, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes (or diced tomatoes)
  • 6 cups low-sodium beef broth (or chicken/vegetable broth)
  • 2/3 cup uncooked white rice (long grain; brown rice for extra fiber, increase cook time)
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (or sweet paprika)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)
  • Sour cream or Greek yogurt (for serving, optional)

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for about 2 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute.
  2. Add ground beef to the pot, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned all over, about 6 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  3. Add diced carrots, celery, and chopped cabbage. Stir well and cook for 4 minutes until cabbage softens.
  4. Sprinkle in smoked paprika, oregano, thyme, bay leaves, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir to bloom the spices.
  5. Pour in crushed tomatoes and beef broth. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom. Bring to a gentle boil.
  6. Stir in uncooked rice. Reduce heat to a steady simmer, cover, and cook for 18-20 minutes (28-30 minutes for brown rice), stirring occasionally, until rice is tender and cabbage is soft.
  7. Remove bay leaves. Stir in apple cider vinegar and season with salt and pepper to taste. Add more broth or water if soup is too thick.
  8. Ladle soup into bowls. Garnish with fresh parsley and a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt if desired. Serve hot with crusty bread or crackers.

Notes

For a low-carb version, substitute riced cauliflower for rice. Use ground turkey or plant-based crumble for a lighter or vegetarian option. Brown rice, barley, or quinoa can be used instead of white rice; adjust cook times accordingly. Soup thickens as it sits—add broth when reheating. Garnish with parsley and sour cream for extra flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: unstuffed cabbage roll soup, cabbage soup, easy dinner, comfort food, ground beef soup, one pot meal, gluten-free, family dinner, meal prep, cozy soup

Find it online: https://norasfoods.com/unstuffed-cabbage-roll-soup-recipe-easy-cozy-dinner-idea/