Description
A comforting and easy crockpot soup that captures the flavors of classic cabbage rolls with ground beef, rice, and cabbage simmered in a rich tomato broth. Perfect for cozy dinners and hands-off cooking.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef (80-85% lean recommended)
- 1 medium head green cabbage (about 6 cups chopped)
- ½ cup (90g) uncooked white or brown rice
- 1 can (14.5 oz / 411g) diced tomatoes (no-salt-added preferred)
- 1 can (8 oz / 227g) tomato sauce
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups (960ml) beef broth (low sodium preferred)
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 bay leaf (optional)
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat for 6-8 minutes until no longer pink and slightly browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
- In the same skillet, sauté the chopped onion and minced garlic for about 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Chop the cabbage into bite-sized pieces and rinse the rice under cold water to remove excess starch.
- Transfer the browned beef, sautéed onions, and garlic into the crockpot. Add chopped cabbage, rinsed rice, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, dried thyme, dried oregano, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Stir gently to combine.
- Cover and cook on low heat for 6 to 8 hours until cabbage is tender and rice has absorbed the broth.
- About 30 minutes before serving, check seasoning, remove the bay leaf, and adjust salt, pepper, or add a splash of vinegar if desired. Add water or broth if soup is too thick.
- Serve warm, optionally garnished with fresh parsley or grated Parmesan. Pairs well with crusty bread or a green salad.
Notes
Brown the ground beef to add caramelized flavor. Add uncooked rice at the start for best texture; avoid pre-cooking rice to prevent mushiness. Stir halfway through cooking to prevent rice sticking. Adjust seasoning gradually. For gluten-free, verify Worcestershire sauce or substitute with coconut aminos. Vegetarian option: replace beef with lentils or plant-based meat and use vegetable broth. Can cook on high for 3-4 hours if short on time, but flavors deepen best on low.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 to 8 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approximatel
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 480
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 4.5
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 22
Keywords: crockpot soup, cabbage roll soup, ground beef soup, slow cooker recipe, comfort food, easy dinner, cabbage soup, hearty soup