Simple Cabbage Roll Soup Recipe

A Cozy Kitchen Memory

My grandma made the best cabbage rolls. But they took all afternoon. I was always too hungry to wait. So I created this soup instead. It has all the same cozy flavors. I still laugh at that hungry little girl.

This soup matters because it saves time without losing love. A good meal brings everyone together. Do you have a family recipe you’ve made quicker?

Let’s Start with the Bacon

First, we crisp up the chopped bacon. That sizzle is the best sound. It makes the whole house smell like a happy morning. We take the bacon out but keep that tasty fat.

That bacon fat is our secret. It gives the vegetables a wonderful flavor. Fun fact: Cooking with rendered fat is an old trick. It adds so much more taste than oil.

Building the Goodness

While the bacon cooks, brown your ground beef. I use a separate pan for this. It helps the meat get a nice color. Then we mix it with our crispy bacon.

Now, into our pot of bacon fat go the onion, carrot, and celery. Don’t forget the chopped cabbage! We cook them until they get soft and sweet. Doesn’t that smell amazing?

The Heart of the Soup

Next, we add everything to the pot. In go the tomatoes, broth, and our special sauces. The ketchup and Worcestershire add a little sweet and a little tang. Then we stir in the uncooked rice.

Finally, we put our bacon and beef back in. This matters because every spoonful should have a bit of everything. Do you prefer your soups with rice or noodles?

The Final Simmer

Bring your soup to a boil. Then, let it gently simmer. This is when the magic happens. The rice cooks and soaks up all the good broth.

It only takes about 20 to 30 minutes. Soon, your kitchen will be filled with a wonderful, cozy smell. That smell means it’s almost time to eat. What’s your favorite cozy smell in the kitchen?

Time to Eat!

Season your soup with a little salt and pepper. I always taste it first. Then, you can make it fancy. A dollop of cool sour cream on top is my favorite.

Some shredded cheese and fresh parsley are lovely too. This last step matters. It makes the meal feel special. It shows you care about who you are feeding.

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Bacon	8 slices	Chopped
Extra lean ground beef	1 pound
Onion	1	Diced
Carrot	1 medium	Diced
Celery	1 stalk	Diced
Green cabbage	2 cups	Roughly chopped
Crushed tomato	1 (14 ounce) can
Diced tomatoes	1 (14 ounce) can
Beef broth	4 cups
Ketchup	2 tablespoons
Italian seasoning	1/2 teaspoon
Worcestershire sauce	2 teaspoons
Uncooked rice	1/4 cup
Salt and black pepper	To taste

My Cozy Cabbage Roll Soup

I have always loved cabbage rolls. My Aunt Marie made the best ones. But they take so much time to put together.

One busy Tuesday, I just threw everything into a pot. I made a soup instead. It tasted just like her famous rolls. I still laugh at that happy accident.

Now it’s my go-to recipe for a chilly day. It fills the whole house with a wonderful smell. Doesn’t that smell amazing? Let’s make it together.

Let’s Make Some Soup!

Here is how we make my simple cabbage roll soup. Just follow these easy steps.

Step 1: Grab your big soup pot. Cook the chopped bacon until it’s nice and crispy. Take the bacon out and put it on a plate. Leave about two spoonfuls of the yummy bacon fat in the pot.

Step 2: Now, let’s cook the ground beef. Use a separate pan for this. Brown it all the way through until it’s not pink. Then drain the extra fat away. Mix this beef with your crispy bacon. They make a great team.

Step 3: Remember that pot with the bacon fat? Toss in your onion, carrot, celery, and cabbage. We want them soft and a little sweet. This takes about six to eight minutes. Stir them so they don’t stick. (A hard-learned tip: don’t rush this step! The sweet veggies make the whole soup taste better.)

Step 4: Now for the fun part. Pour in both cans of tomatoes and the beef broth. Add the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and Italian seasoning too. Stir in the uncooked rice. Now put all that bacon and beef back in the pot. Give it one big, happy stir.

Step 5: Turn up the heat until your soup is bubbling. Then, turn it down to low. Let it simmer for about twenty minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the rice is tender. What’s your favorite part of a simmering soup? The smell or the first taste? Share below!

Step 6: Almost done! Taste your soup. Does it need a little salt or pepper? Add it now. Then, ladle it into bowls while it’s steaming hot.

Cook Time: 30–40 minutes
Total Time: About 1 hour
Yield: 6 big bowls
Category: Dinner, Soup

Try a Fun Twist!

This soup is like a blank canvas. You can change it up so easily. Here are a few ideas I love to play with.

Meatless Monday Version: Skip the bacon and beef. Use two cans of beans instead. It’s just as cozy and filling.

A Little Spicy Kick: Add a big pinch of red pepper flakes. It gives the soup a warm, tingly feeling. My grandson loves it this way.

Summer Garden Swap: In the summer, I use fresh tomatoes from my garden. I also add some chopped zucchini. It tastes like sunshine.

Which one would you try first? Comment below!

How to Serve It Up

A good bowl of soup deserves good friends. I like to serve this with a thick slice of crusty bread. You need it for dipping. A simple green salad on the side is perfect too.

Now, for the best part—the toppings! A spoonful of cool sour cream is a must. A little shredded cheddar cheese on top is wonderful. And some fresh chopped parsley makes it look pretty.

What to drink? A cold glass of apple cider is lovely. For the grown-ups, a dark beer pairs nicely with the smoky bacon. Which would you choose tonight?

Keeping Your Cabbage Roll Soup Cozy

This soup keeps well in the fridge for about four days. Just let it cool completely first. I store mine in a big glass bowl with a lid.

You can also freeze this soup for a quick future meal. Portion it into containers once it is cool. It will be good in the freezer for up to three months.

I once put a hot pot straight into the fridge. The lid popped right off! Now I always let it cool on the counter. This keeps your fridge safe and your soup fresh.

Reheat it slowly in a pot on the stove. Add a splash of broth if it seems too thick. This makes it taste just-made and wonderful.

Batch cooking this soup saves busy weeknights. It means a warm meal is always ready for you. A little planning makes dinnertime so much easier. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Simple Fixes for a Perfect Pot of Soup

Is your soup too watery? Let it simmer a bit longer with the lid off. The extra liquid will cook away and the flavors will get stronger.

I remember when my rice was still crunchy. The soup just did not simmer long enough. Now I make sure it bubbles gently for the full time. This gives the rice time to become perfectly tender.

Does it need more flavor? Always taste it at the very end. Add more salt and pepper until it tastes just right to you. Getting the seasoning right makes all the difference.

Why does this matter? Fixing small problems builds your cooking confidence. You learn that most mistakes have an easy solution. This makes your food taste better and you feel proud. Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Cabbage Roll Soup Questions, Answered

Q: Can I make this gluten-free? A: Yes! Use tamari instead of Worcestershire sauce. Check that your broth is labeled gluten-free too.

Q: Can I make it ahead? A: Absolutely. The flavors get even better the next day. It is a perfect make-ahead meal.

Q: What if I do not have cabbage? A: Try chopped kale or spinach instead. It will still be delicious and hearty.

Q: Can I double the recipe? A: You can! Just use a very large pot. It feeds a crowd or fills your freezer.

Q: Are the garnishes important? A: They are a lovely finishing touch. A dollop of sour cream makes it extra special. *Fun fact: A little sour cream can help balance the tomato’s acidity.* Which tip will you try first?

From My Kitchen to Yours

I hope this soup brings warmth to your table. It is a hug in a bowl on a chilly day. I love knowing you are cooking these recipes in your own home.

If you give it a try, I would love to see it. Share a picture of your beautiful creation. Your photos always make my day.

Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest! I cannot wait to see your version. Thank you for cooking with me today.

Happy cooking!

—Olivia Hartwell.