Cabbage Roll Soup

Name: Cabbage Roll Soup
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 70 min
Ingredients: 2 lbs Italian sausage; 1 medium onion, diced; 1 tbsp minced garlic; 1 small head cabbage, chopped; 1 29 oz can tomato sauce; 4 cups beef broth; 1 cup instant rice; 1 tsp garlic salt; 1 tsp black pepper; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp onion powder; 1 tbsp Kinder's Buttery Garlic & Herb Seasoning; 1 tsp dried dill; sour cream, for serving

All the cozy flavor of cabbage rolls lands in one big pot without having to roll a single cabbage leaf.

Italian sausage gets browned down with onion and garlic, then chopped cabbage, tomato sauce, beef broth, seasonings, dried dill, and instant rice cook together until everything turns tender, hearty, and full of flavor. The cabbage softens into the tomato broth while the sausage adds a rich savory bite throughout the soup.

The instant rice gives the soup that classic cabbage roll feel and helps make each bowl more filling. A dollop of sour cream on top adds a creamy finish that balances the tomato, sausage, cabbage, and dill.

Big bowls of this soup are perfect when you want something comforting, simple, and loaded with old-school stuffed cabbage flavor without all the extra work.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

All the flavor of cabbage rolls without the rolling.
Hearty soup made with Italian sausage, cabbage, tomato sauce, beef broth, and rice.
Perfect comfort food dinner for colder nights.
Easy one-pot recipe with simple ingredients.
Sour cream on top gives each bowl a creamy finished bite.

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Ingredients

The base of this soup starts with Italian sausage, onion, garlic, chopped cabbage, tomato sauce, and beef broth. Garlic salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, Kinder’s Buttery Garlic & Herb Seasoning, and dried dill build the flavor while the cabbage cooks down until tender.

Instant rice is stirred in near the end so it cooks directly in the broth and gives the soup that cabbage roll texture. Sour cream is added when serving for a creamy topping that works perfectly with the tomato broth and sausage.

2 lbs Italian sausage
1 medium onion, diced
1 tbsp minced garlic
1 small head cabbage, chopped
1 (29 oz) can tomato sauce
4 cups beef broth
1 cup instant rice
1 tsp garlic salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tbsp Kinder's Buttery Garlic & Herb Seasoning
1 tsp dried dill
Sour cream, for serving

How To Make Cabbage Roll Soup

Step 1: Brown Sausage

Heat a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks.

Step 2: Add Onion and Garlic

Add the diced onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, until fragrant.

Step 3: Add Cabbage and Tomato Sauce

Add the chopped cabbage and pour in the tomato sauce. Stir everything together until the cabbage is coated.

Step 4: Season Soup

Season with garlic salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, Kinder's Buttery Garlic & Herb Seasoning, and dried dill.

Step 5: Add Beef Broth and Cook

Pour in the beef broth and stir until well combined. Cover the pot and cook over medium-high heat for 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage is tender.

Step 6: Add Instant Rice

Stir in the instant rice, cover, and cook for an additional 10 minutes, until the rice is tender.

Step 7: Serve

Give the soup one final stir, then ladle into bowls. Top each serving with a dollop of sour cream and enjoy.

Recipe Variations

Use ground beef instead of Italian sausage for a more classic cabbage roll flavor. Add a little Italian seasoning or extra garlic seasoning if you still want a bolder soup.
Swap the instant rice for cooked white rice if you already have leftovers in the fridge. Stir the cooked rice in near the end and heat it through instead of simmering it for the full 10 minutes.
Add crushed red pepper flakes if you want a little heat. The spice works well with the tomato sauce, sausage, cabbage, and sour cream topping.
Use fire-roasted tomato sauce or add a small can of diced tomatoes for more tomato texture. It gives the broth a slightly chunkier feel and adds more depth.
Top each bowl with shredded cheese along with the sour cream for a richer version. Mozzarella, cheddar, or Parmesan all work well with the tomato broth and sausage.

Tips for Success

Break the sausage into small crumbles while it cooks so every bowl gets plenty of meat throughout the soup.
Chop the cabbage into bite-sized pieces so it softens evenly and is easier to eat by the spoonful.
Stir the cabbage well after adding the tomato sauce so it starts cooking down evenly in the pot.
Add the instant rice near the end so it cooks through without soaking up too much broth too early.
Taste before serving because Italian sausage, beef broth, and garlic salt can all affect the final salt level.
Let the soup sit for a few minutes after cooking if you want the rice to thicken the broth slightly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use ground beef instead of Italian sausage?

Yes, ground beef can be used if you want the soup to taste more like traditional cabbage rolls. Italian sausage adds extra seasoning and richness, so if you swap it for ground beef, you may want to add a little extra garlic, onion powder, Italian seasoning, or salt to keep the flavor strong.

Do I have to use instant rice?

Instant rice works well because it cooks quickly during the final part of the recipe. Regular uncooked rice would need more liquid and a longer cooking time, so the texture and broth amount may change. If using cooked rice, stir it in near the end just long enough to heat through.

Can I make this soup ahead of time?

Yes, cabbage roll soup is a great make-ahead meal because the flavors continue to blend as it sits. The rice may absorb more broth in the refrigerator, so the soup can thicken after chilling. Add a splash of beef broth when reheating if you want it thinner.

How do I store leftovers?

Store leftover cabbage roll soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave until hot. Since the rice continues to absorb liquid, stir in a little extra broth or water while reheating if needed.

What does sour cream do for cabbage roll soup?

Sour cream adds a cool creamy finish that balances the tomato sauce, sausage, cabbage, and dill. It is added when serving instead of cooked into the pot so it stays smooth and fresh. A small dollop on each bowl gives the soup more of that stuffed cabbage comfort food flavor.

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Cabbage Roll Soup

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A hearty cabbage roll soup made with Italian sausage, chopped cabbage, tomato sauce, beef broth, instant rice, dill, seasonings, and sour cream for serving.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 1 10

Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients Method Video

Ingredients

2 lbs Italian sausage
1 medium onion, diced
1 tbsp minced garlic
1 small head cabbage, chopped
1 29 oz can tomato sauce
4 cups beef broth
1 cup instant rice
1 tsp garlic salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tbsp Kinder's Buttery Garlic & Herb Seasoning
1 tsp dried dill
sour cream, for serving

Method

Heat a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks.
Add the diced onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, until fragrant.
Add the chopped cabbage and pour in the tomato sauce. Stir everything together until the cabbage is coated in the sauce.
Season with garlic salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, Kinder's Buttery Garlic & Herb Seasoning, and dried dill.
Pour in the beef broth and stir until well combined. Cover the pot and cook over medium-high heat for 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage is tender.
Stir in the instant rice, cover, and cook for an additional 10 minutes, until the rice is tender.
Give the soup one final stir, then ladle into bowls. Top each serving with a dollop of sour cream and enjoy.

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Hey, I'm Scotty

What started as just messing around in the kitchen and posting recipes online quickly turned into something way bigger than I ever expected. At first, it was just a side hustle—sharing simple, easy meals that anyone could make without overthinking it.