Delicious One-Pot Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Soup

This Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Soup has all the comforting flavors of traditional cabbage rolls without the time-consuming process of stuffing and rolling individual cabbage leaves. Tender cabbage, savory ground beef, vegetables, tomatoes, and rice simmer together in a rich, flavorful broth to create a hearty one-pot meal that’s perfect for a cozy family dinner.

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups green cabbage, chopped
• 2 medium carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 1 can (28 oz / 800 g) crushed tomatoes
• 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) diced tomatoes
• 4 cups beef broth
• 1 cup water
• ¾ cup uncooked long-grain white rice
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar, optional
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Directions

1. Brown the Ground Beef

Heat a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium-high heat.

Add the olive oil and ground beef.

Cook for approximately 6–8 minutes, breaking the meat apart with a wooden spoon until browned and cooked through.

If there is a large amount of excess grease, carefully drain some of it.

2. Sauté the Vegetables

Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery to the pot.

Cook for approximately 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften.

Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30–60 seconds until fragrant.

3. Add the Cabbage

Add the chopped cabbage to the pot.

Stir well to combine it with the beef and vegetables.

Cook for approximately 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage begins to wilt.

4. Add the Tomato Ingredients

Stir in the tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, and diced tomatoes.

Add the Worcestershire sauce, paprika, oregano, thyme, salt, black pepper, and optional brown sugar.

Stir thoroughly.

5. Add the Broth

Pour in the beef broth and water.

Add the bay leaf.

Stir everything together and bring the soup to a gentle boil.

6. Add the Rice

Stir in the uncooked rice.

Reduce the heat to low and partially cover the pot.

Allow the soup to simmer for approximately 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

The rice should become tender and the cabbage should be soft.

7. Check the Consistency

As the rice cooks, it will absorb some of the broth.

If the soup becomes too thick, add another ½–1 cup of beef broth or water until you reach your preferred consistency.

8. Finish the Soup

Remove the bay leaf.

Taste the soup and adjust the salt, pepper, or seasonings as needed.

Stir in the chopped fresh parsley.

Let the soup rest for about 5 minutes before serving.

Tips for the Best Cabbage Roll Soup

Use ground beef with some fat: It adds flavor and keeps the soup hearty.

Don’t skip the tomato paste: It adds concentrated tomato flavor and helps create a richer broth.

Add the rice at the right time: Rice absorbs a lot of liquid, so keep extra broth available if the soup becomes too thick.

Don’t overcook the cabbage: It should be tender but still retain some texture.

Adjust the sweetness: Traditional cabbage roll flavors often have a slight sweet-and-tangy balance. Add a little brown sugar if your tomatoes are particularly acidic.

Slow Cooker Instructions

Brown the ground beef in a skillet and drain excess grease.

Transfer it to a slow cooker.

Add the onion, garlic, cabbage, carrots, celery, tomatoes, tomato paste, broth, Worcestershire sauce, and seasonings.

Cook on:

LOW: 6–7 hours
HIGH: 3–4 hours

Add the uncooked rice during the final 45–60 minutes of cooking.

Check the rice and add additional broth if necessary.

Make It Low-Carb

For a low-carb version, simply leave out the rice.

Add another 1–2 cups of chopped cabbage or substitute cauliflower rice.

If using cauliflower rice, add it during the final 5–10 minutes so it doesn’t become mushy.

Variations

Ground Turkey Cabbage Roll Soup

Replace the ground beef with ground turkey or chicken.

Sausage Cabbage Roll Soup

Use half ground beef and half Italian sausage for extra flavor.

Spicy Cabbage Roll Soup

Add ½–1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes or a diced jalapeño.

Cheesy Cabbage Roll Soup

Sprinkle shredded mozzarella or Parmesan over individual servings.

Vegetarian Cabbage Roll Soup

Replace the meat with beans or lentils and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this hearty soup with:

• Crusty bread
• Garlic bread
• Dinner rolls
• Cornbread
• Sour cream
• Shredded cheese
• Fresh parsley
• A simple green salad

A spoonful of sour cream on top adds a delicious creamy contrast to the tomato-based broth.

Storage

Allow the soup to cool before transferring it to airtight containers.

Refrigerate for up to 3–4 days.

Because the rice continues absorbing broth as it sits, add extra broth or water when reheating.

Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until thoroughly hot.

Freezing Instructions

For the best texture, freeze the soup without the rice if possible.

If freezing leftovers that already contain rice, allow them to cool completely and transfer them to freezer-safe containers.

Freeze for up to 2–3 months.

Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat slowly with additional broth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use brown rice?

Yes, but brown rice requires a longer cooking time and may need additional broth.

Can I use ground turkey?

Absolutely. Ground turkey makes a lighter version while still providing plenty of flavor.

Why did my soup become too thick?

The rice absorbs a significant amount of liquid, especially after refrigeration. Simply add more beef broth or water when reheating.

Can I make it without rice?

Yes. The soup is delicious without rice. You can add extra cabbage, cauliflower rice, or diced vegetables instead.

Can I use red cabbage?

You can, although green cabbage provides the most traditional flavor and appearance.

Recipe at a Glance

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: About 55 minutes
Servings: 6–8
Category: Soup / Main Course
Method: One-Pot
Cuisine: American / Eastern European-inspired

This One-Pot Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Soup is warm, hearty, savory, and incredibly satisfying. It delivers all the familiar flavors of classic cabbage rolls—beef, cabbage, tomatoes, rice, and herbs—in an easy soup that comes together in a single pot with minimal cleanup.