cabbage-roll-soup-recipe-is-a-delicious-dinner-recipe-that-will-warm-your-belly-on-a-cold-and-cris------soup-recipes--delicious-soup-recipes--delicious-dinner-recipes_feature

Cabbage Roll Soup: Easy One-Pot Recipes for Ground Beef & Vegetarian Versions

Bymichael michael
Spread the love
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Cabbage Roll Soup: Easy One-Pot Recipes for Ground Beef & Vegetarian Versions

Delicious cabbage roll soup in a bowl with ground beef and vegetables

Imagine all the comforting flavors of traditional cabbage rolls, but in a hearty, easy-to-make soup that comes together in one pot. Cabbage roll soup takes the classic Eastern European dish and transforms it into a cozy meal that’s perfect for chilly evenings. Whether you prefer the traditional ground beef version or a plant-based vegetarian alternative, this recipe delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Ingredients for cabbage roll soup including cabbage, ground beef, tomatoes, and spices

For Ground Beef Version:

  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 medium head green cabbage, chopped
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 1 cup uncooked rice
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp olive oil

For Vegetarian Version:

  • 1 cup brown lentils, rinsed
  • 1 medium head green cabbage, chopped
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 cup uncooked rice
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp olive oil

Step-by-Step Instructions

Crock Pot Method

  1. Sauté Aromatics: In a skillet, heat olive oil and sauté onion, garlic, and carrots until softened.
  2. Brown Meat (for beef version): Add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain excess fat.
  3. Combine in Crock Pot: Transfer sautéed vegetables and meat (or lentils for vegetarian) to Crock Pot. Add chopped cabbage, crushed tomatoes, broth, rice, tomato paste, and spices.
  4. Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
  5. Serve: Stir before serving and adjust seasoning as needed.

Dutch Oven Method

  1. Brown Ingredients: Heat olive oil in Dutch oven. Sauté onion, garlic, and carrots until softened. Add ground beef and cook until browned (or skip for vegetarian).
  2. Add Remaining Ingredients: Stir in cabbage, crushed tomatoes, broth, rice, tomato paste, and spices.
  3. Simmer: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30-40 minutes until rice is cooked and cabbage is tender.
  4. Finish: Adjust seasoning and serve hot.

Expert Tips

  • Chop Cabbage Evenly: Cut cabbage into uniform pieces for even cooking
  • Don’t Overcook Rice: Add rice later in Dutch oven method to prevent mushiness
  • Adjust Broth: Add more broth if soup becomes too thick
  • Make Ahead: Soup tastes even better the next day as flavors meld
  • Freeze Well: This soup freezes beautifully for up to 3 months

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different type of cabbage?

Yes, green cabbage works best, but savoy cabbage or Napa cabbage can be substituted.

How do I make this soup gluten-free?

Use gluten-free broth and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.

Can I use cauliflower rice instead?

Yes, add cauliflower rice during the last 15 minutes of cooking to prevent it from becoming too soft.

How long does cabbage roll soup keep?

Refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Can I make this soup dairy-free?

This recipe is naturally dairy-free. No substitutions needed!

cabbage-roll-soup-recipe-is-a-delicious-dinner-recipe-that-will-warm-your-belly-on-a-cold-and-cris------soup-recipes--delicious-soup-recipes--delicious-dinner-recipes_feature

Cabbage Roll Soup: Easy One-Pot Recipes for Ground Beef & Vegetarian Versions

This comforting soup transforms traditional cabbage rolls into an easy one-pot meal featuring ground beef or vegetarian lentil options. Perfect for chilly evenings, it delivers all the classic Eastern European flavors with minimal effort.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 320
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 medium head green cabbage, chopped
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 1 cup uncooked rice
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 cup brown lentils, rinsed
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Sauté aromatics: In a skillet, heat olive oil and sauté onion, garlic, and carrots until softened
  2. Brown meat (for beef version): Add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain excess fat
  3. Combine in Crock Pot: Transfer sautéed vegetables and meat (or lentils for vegetarian) to Crock Pot. Add chopped cabbage, crushed tomatoes, broth, rice, tomato paste, and spices
  4. Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours
  5. Serve: Stir before serving and adjust seasoning as needed
  6. Dutch Oven Method: Heat olive oil in Dutch oven. Sauté onion, garlic, and carrots until softened. Add ground beef and cook until browned (or skip for vegetarian)
  7. Add remaining ingredients: Stir in cabbage, crushed tomatoes, broth, rice, tomato paste, and spices
  8. Simmer: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30-40 minutes until rice is cooked and cabbage is tender
  9. Finish: Adjust seasoning and serve hot

Notes

Chop cabbage evenly for uniform cooking, don’t overcook rice, add rice later in Dutch oven method to prevent mushiness, soup tastes even better the next day as flavors meld

Similar Posts