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Cabbage roll soup? Yes, you read right — this soup is a spin off of the classic Eastern European stuffed cabbage rolls. The kicker? It takes a fraction of the time.

Cabbage Rolls soup in a pot

Cabbage roll soup is quick and healthy (filled with loads of protein and veggies), yet it tastes like a comfort food. Who said foods can’t be both good for you and comforting?! Trust me, you will have this on repeat in your home after trying it once.

This recipe was born out of my family’s insatiable craving for cabbage rolls. Cabbage rolls were one of my favorite meals growing up (and still are), but they can be a little labor-intensive. Enter this deconstructed version — cabbage soup! It’s the perfect way to calm a cabbage roll hankering without doing all the work. It’s also a one-pot dinner, which you know is a favorite at Momsdish.

ingredients for cabbage rolls soup

How to Make Cabbage Roll Soup

If you love cabbage rolls, you know how much work they can take. While it is well worth it, sometimes I don’t always have the time and energy to whip up those delicious morsels. When the craving calls, put a pot of this cabbage roll soup on the stove instead!

  • Cook the meat: Brown the ground beef in a large pot over medium heat.
  • Sauté the aromatics: Add in the carrots and onions and cook until they’re soft.
  • Add in more ingredients: Gently toss in the rice, tomato paste, bay leaves, broth, and water. Simmer for about 20 minutes, then add the chopped cabbage and cook another 10 minutes.
  • Pour in the cream: Pour in the heavy cream and remove from the heat. Enjoy!

Hot tip: We like to serve cabbage roll soup the classic Ukrainian way — with a dollop of sour cream and a slice of bread (French bread, sourdough bread, or almost whole wheat sourdough bread).

ground meat in a pot
vegetables with ground meat in a pot
broth and rice and in a pot with tomato paste and bay leaves
cabbage rolls soup in a pot

Cabbage Soup Tips & Tricks

There are not many extra tips and tricks you need to know before making the soup. The biggest theme is simply to use the best ingredients!

  • Opt for a good quality broth: I love homemade chicken broth as the liquid base for the soup, but if you don’t have any, opt for a good quality, good-tasting store bought version. Chicken, beef, or bone broth all work well!
  • Substitute as needed: I like ground beef for my cabbage roll soup, but feel free to use ground turkey, chicken, or pork in a pinch. In terms of rice, use whole grain, wild rice, or cauliflower rice for a lower-carb option. Finally, replace the tomato paste with pureed or canned tomatoes if needed.
Cabbage rolls soup in a bowl

Storing & Reheating Cabbage Soup

Like any soup, you’ll most likely have leftovers of cabbage soup after dinner today. Once the soup is cooled, store it in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to five days. Reheat small portions in a small pot on the stove or in a microwave-safe bowl as needed.

More Cabbage Recipes

Recipe

Cabbage rolls soup in a pot

Cabbage Roll Soup

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Servings
12 servings
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Recipe contributed by: Natalya Drozhzhin
Cabbage roll soup? Yes, you read right — this soup is a spin off of the classic Eastern European stuffed cabbage rolls. The kicker? It takes a fraction of the time.

Ingredients

US Units – Metric

Instructions

  • Preheat a pot over medium-heat. Add ground beef to the pot and break it down as it cooks.
    ground meat in a pot
  • Add chopped carrots and onion to the cooked ground beef. Sauté until the veggies are softened. Season with salt and pepper.
    vegetables with ground meat in a pot
  • Add rice, tomato paste, bay leaves, water, and broth.
    broth and rice and in a pot with tomato paste and bay leaves
  • Bring everything to a simmer and let it cook for about 20 minutes. Add chopped cabbage and cook for an additional 10 minutes.
    cabbage in a pot with the soup
  • Stir in the heavy cream and immediately remove from heat.
    cabbage rolls soup in a pot
Nutrition Facts
Cabbage Roll Soup
Amount Per Serving
Calories 191 Calories from Fat 108
% Daily Value*
Fat 12g18%
Saturated Fat 5g25%
Cholesterol 40mg13%
Sodium 1008mg42%
Potassium 418mg12%
Carbohydrates 13g4%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 4g4%
Protein 9g18%
Vitamin A 2061IU41%
Vitamin C 23mg28%
Calcium 47mg5%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Updated January 6, 2025

About Author

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Natalya founded Momsdish to demonstrate that placing a homemade meal on the table is not hard at all. Natalya makes cooking easier and approachable, by simplifying the ingredients, while still producing the same great taste.