I realize that I may have a soup problem – it seems I’ve been posting soup recipes non-stop this winter! But you know what? Soup is my absolute favorite thing to make and eat. Why? Because it’s usually made in one pot, it’s usually freezable, it’s often cheap, and it’s easy to pack it full of everything you need for a meal – protein, healthy carbs, and tons of veggies. Fitting for “Bowl” of Delicious! This stuffed cabbage roll soup is no exception. Inspired by my Stuffed Pepper Soup, It’s packed with healthy veggies including lots of cabbage, rounded out with lean ground beef and rice. All incredibly cheap and nutritious ingredients, and since this recipe makes a huge amount, you can easily stash half (or more!) in your freezer for a meal in the future. Don’t skimp on the salt and butter in this recipe. You need salt to help season the relatively bland ingredients in this recipe. And four tablespoons may seem like you’re using a lot of butter, but trust me, it will make the cabbage shine as the star ingredient. Don’t forget – this batch makes a HUGE pot of soup! So let’s stay on this soup train at least for a little while. Let’s learn how to make Stuffed Cabbage Roll Soup together!
Ingredients and Substitutions
Green Cabbage – in theory, you could substitute another kind of cabbage here, but green cabbage is firm and holds its shape well in this soup. Red cabbage will turn the soup into a color that some may find unappetizing, so proceed with caution here! Lean ground beef – or another ground meat like turkey or pork. Sausage can be used, but use caution when adding extra salt and seasoning since it is already seasoned. Fattier beef may be used, but remove some of the fat from the pot after it’s cooked (see recipe notes for more). Rice – I recommend parboiled (converted) rice, like Ben’s Original, because it holds its shape well. Other kinds can be used (more on this below). Butter – or olive oil or ghee for a dairy-free version. Herbs – fresh parsley, dried oregano, and dried mint. These can be substituted with Italian seasoning, or played around with different combinations of herbs if you like. Use what you have! Crushed red pepper – leave out if you want a very mild soup. Canned diced tomatoes – fresh can be used, or canned crushed tomatoes. Chicken broth – or vegetable or beef broth. Red wine – optional, but adds a little something-something. Onion and garlic Romano or Parmesan cheese for topping – optional.
How to make Cabbage Roll Soup
Melt butter in a large pot. Add onions and cook. Brown the beef with the garlic in the pot. Then, add the cabbage and stir, cooking for a few minutes. Then the tomatoes, herbs and spices, salt and pepper, red wine (if using), and broth get added to the pot. Bring it to a boil, stir in the rice, cover, and simmer on low until the rice is cooked. Finally, turn off the heat, and melt in a little more butter to the soup and season to taste. Yum! Please scroll to the bottom of the post for the full recipe including ingredient amounts and detailed instructions.
What kind of rice is best in soup?
I almost always recommend using converted/parboiled rice in soups, such as Ben’s Original. The reason for this is that it’s less starchy than other kinds, and it holds its shape well even when submerged in liquid for a long time. This makes it easy to freeze for later, and you don’t have to worry about cooking rice separately from the soup. That said, feel free to use another kind of rice here – a long grain white or brown rice such as basmati works well and cooks quickly. Or, a wild rice blend would work as well and add a nutty earthy flavor.
Can I freeze cabbage roll soup?
Yes! This soup freezes beautifully. Store in an airtight container for up to 6 months in the freezer. I like to use a plastic container. Then, I run hot water over it to dislodge it from being frozen. I’ll pop the frozen block into a pot with a little extra water, cover, and cook until it’s heated through. Easy peasy!
Can I make vegetarian stuffed cabbage soup?
Yes! Just use a vegetarian substitute for the ground beef and make sure to use vegetable broth.
Other Cabbage Recipes
Got leftover cabbage? Try one of these recipes to use it up!
Other Soup Recipes you’ll Love
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