Cabbage Roll Soup

• One-Pot Cleanup: Everything cooks in one large pot, meaning less time washing dishes and more time relaxing.
• Meal Prep Friendly: The flavors actually deepen overnight, making it even better as leftovers for a busy work week.
• Healthy & Hearty: It is packed with lean protein and fiber-rich vegetables to keep you feeling full and fueled.
• Budget-Friendly: Uses simple, accessible ingredients like cabbage and ground meat that won’t break the bank.

• Ground Meat: You can use ground beef or bison to provide a hearty, high-protein base for the soup.
• Cabbage: Chopped green cabbage adds bulk and a wonderful texture while soaking up all the savory broth.
• Sweet Onion: A diced sweet or yellow onion provides a soft, aromatic sweetness to the base of the dish.
• Bell Pepper: One red, orange, or yellow pepper adds a pop of color and a subtle garden-fresh flavor.
• Garlic: Freshly minced garlic brings that essential punch of savory depth to every spoonful.
• White Rice: Long-grain white rice cooks right in the pot to give the soup that classic cabbage roll heartiness.
• Diced Tomatoes: I love using fire-roasted tomatoes to add a hint of smoky flavor and acidity.
• Tomato Sauce: This creates a rich, slightly thickened base that mimics the traditional sauce used in cabbage rolls.
• Beef Broth: Use a high-quality beef broth or bone broth for an extra boost of protein and minerals.
• Coconut Sugar: A small amount of coconut sugar or brown sugar perfectly balances the acidity of the tomatoes.
• Dried Spices: A blend of basil, oregano, and paprika adds a classic herb-infused warmth to the broth.

1. Prep your veggies — chop the onion, garlic, bell pepper, and cabbage.
2. Sauté — cook onion, pepper, and garlic until soft and fragrant.
3. Brown the meat — add ground beef (or bison) and cook until no longer pink.
4. Add cabbage — let it soften just a bit in the pot.
5. Add tomatoes, broth, rice, and spices — stir to combine and bring to a simmer.
6. Simmer until done — cook until the rice is tender and the cabbage is soft.
7. Serve warm — ladle into bowls and enjoy!

• Chop Consistently: Try to chop your cabbage into bite-sized pieces so it’s easy to eat with a spoon.
• Rice Choice: Use a rice that takes about 25–30 minutes to cook; “instant” rice will get mushy too quickly in this recipe.
• One-Pot Ease: If the soup gets too thick as it sits (especially for leftovers), simply splash in a little extra broth when reheating.
• Serve as is or with bread, crackers, or cheese

This soup is the definition of savory comfort. The fire-roasted tomatoes and spices create a rich, slightly sweet, and acidic broth that perfectly complements the earthy, tender cabbage. Every bite is hearty thanks to the ground meat and tender rice, giving you the exact flavor profile of a traditional cabbage roll but in a much more approachable, spoonable format.

To Serve: This soup is a complete meal on its own, but it is also lovely served with a side of crusty gluten-free bread, crackers, or even a dollop of Greek yogurt (or dairy-free sour cream) on top.

To Store: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. This soup is also freezer-friendly! Simply let it cool completely, transfer to freezer-safe bags or containers, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating on the stove.

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