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Cabbage Roll Meatball Soup

Why You’ll Love This Soup

Classic flavor, easier method – No rolling required!
One-pot meal – Less cleanup, more comfort.
Great for leftovers – Tastes even better the next day.
Family-friendly – Familiar flavors everyone enjoys.

Tips for the Best Flavor

Smaller meatballs cook more evenly and fit better on a spoon.
If the soup thickens too much, just add a splash of broth.
This soup freezes well, making it perfect for meal prep.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this soup hot with crusty bread or a buttered roll on the side. A sprinkle of fresh parsley or a dollop of sour cream on top adds a nice finishing touch, but it’s just as delicious on its own.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Course Main Course, Soup, Vegetarian
Cuisine Mediterranean
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • For the meatballs:
  • - 1 lb ground beef or pork or a mix
  • - 1 egg
  • - 2 cloves garlic minced
  • - ½ tsp salt
  • - ¼ tsp black pepper
  • - ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • - 1 tbsp chopped parsley
  • For the soup:
  • - 1 tbsp olive oil
  • - 1 onion chopped
  • - 2 cloves garlic minced
  • - 2 carrots diced
  • - 2 celery stalks diced
  • - ½ cup cooked rice
  • - 4 cups chopped green cabbage
  • - 1 can 14 oz crushed tomatoes
  • - 6 cups beef or vegetable broth
  • - 1 bay leaf
  • - 1 tsp dried thyme
  • - Salt and pepper to taste
  • - Optional: 1 tbsp brown sugar or a splash of vinegar for balance

Instructions
 

  • Make the meatballs:
  • In a bowl, mix all meatball ingredients. Form into small balls (about 1 inch). Chill while prepping the soup.
  • Sauté the base:
  • In a large pot, heat olive oil. Sauté onion, garlic, carrots, and celery until softened (5–7 minutes).
  • Add cabbage and tomatoes:
  • Stir in chopped cabbage and crushed tomatoes. Cook for 5 minutes.
  • Add broth, cooked rice and seasonings:
  • Pour in broth, add bay leaf, thyme, salt, pepper, and optional sugar or vinegar. Bring to a simmer.
  • Add meatballs:
  • Gently drop meatballs into the simmering soup. Cover and cook for 25–30 minutes until meatballs are cooked through and flavors meld.
  • Taste and adjust:
  • Remove bay leaf. Adjust seasoning as needed.