Cabbage Roll Soup: A Hearty, Comforting Meal in a Bowl

Cabbage Roll Soup is a delicious, hearty, and comforting dish that brings all the flavors of traditional cabbage rolls into a convenient and easy-to-make soup. This recipe combines ground beef, vegetables, and a blend of savory seasonings to create a rich and satisfying meal that is perfect for any day of the week. Whether you’re looking to warm up on a chilly day or seeking a nutritious and filling dinner option, this Cabbage Roll Soup is sure to hit the spot. Let’s dive into the details of how to prepare this delightful soup.

Ingredients

Before we start, let’s gather all the necessary ingredients for our Cabbage Roll Soup:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
• 4 cups cabbage, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons tomato paste
• 4 cups beef broth
• 1 (14.5 oz) can tomato sauce
• 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
• 2 medium bay leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon crushed rosemary
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasonings
• 2 teaspoons parsley
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 cup long grain rice
• 1 tablespoon oil

Instructions

Cooking the Ground Beef

1. Heat the Oil: In a large soup pot, heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat. This will prevent the ground beef from sticking to the pot and help it brown nicely.
2. Add the Ground Beef: Once the oil is hot, add the ground beef to the pot. Cook the beef, breaking it up with a spoon or spatula, until it is no longer pink. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Browning the beef enhances the flavor of the soup.

Adding Vegetables and Seasonings

3. Add the Vegetables: Next, add the diced onion, carrots, and red bell pepper to the pot. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Cook and stir the vegetables for about 3-4 minutes, until they begin to soften. The vegetables add a wonderful depth of flavor and texture to the soup.
4. Add the Garlic and Cabbage: Stir in the minced garlic and diced cabbage. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the cabbage starts to wilt. Garlic and cabbage are key ingredients that contribute to the classic taste of cabbage rolls.
5. Incorporate the Tomato Paste: Add 2 teaspoons of tomato paste to the pot. Stir well to combine, ensuring that the tomato paste coats the vegetables and beef evenly. Tomato paste adds a concentrated tomato flavor and helps thicken the soup.

Building the Soup Base

6. Add the Liquids: Pour in the beef broth, tomato sauce, and diced tomatoes (including their juices). Stir the mixture and increase the heat to bring the soup to a simmer. These liquids form the flavorful base of the soup.
7. Season the Soup: Add the bay leaves, crushed rosemary, thyme, Italian seasonings, and parsley to the pot. Stir in 2 teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce for an extra depth of flavor. Cover the pot and let the soup cook for about 15 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.

Cooking the Rice

8. Add the Rice: After the soup has simmered for 15 minutes, add the 1/2 cup of long grain rice. Stir well to combine. Cover the pot again and cook for another 15 minutes, or until the rice is tender. The rice adds substance to the soup, making it a complete and satisfying meal.
9. Adjust the Seasoning: Taste the soup and adjust the seasonings if needed. You might want to add a bit more salt, pepper, or herbs to suit your taste. Cook the soup for an additional 5-10 minutes to ensure the rice is fully cooked and all the flavors are well blended.

Serving the Cabbage Roll Soup

Once the soup is ready, remove the bay leaves and discard them. Serve the Cabbage Roll Soup hot, garnished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley if desired. This soup pairs wonderfully with a slice of crusty bread or a warm roll, which can be used to soak up the delicious broth.

Tips for the Best Cabbage Roll Soup

• Quality Beef: Use 80/20 ground beef for the best flavor and texture. The fat content in the beef adds richness to the soup.
• Fresh Vegetables: Freshly diced vegetables ensure the best flavor and texture. Pre-packaged or pre-diced vegetables can be used in a pinch but may not provide the same quality.
• Seasoning Adjustments: Feel free to adjust the seasoning to your preference. Some people might prefer a bit more garlic or an extra dash of Worcestershire sauce.
• Cook Time: Ensure the rice is fully cooked before serving. If you find that the rice is still a bit firm, let the soup simmer for a few more minutes.
• Storage: This soup stores well and can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat it on the stove over medium heat, adding a bit of water or broth if needed to adjust the consistency.

Nutritional Benefits

Cabbage Roll Soup is not only delicious but also nutritious. It’s packed with protein from the ground beef, fiber from the vegetables and rice, and a variety of vitamins and minerals. Cabbage, in particular, is a great source of Vitamin C and Vitamin K, and it adds bulk to the soup without many extra calories.

Variations

• Turkey or Chicken: Substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option. Adjust the cooking time as needed to ensure the meat is fully cooked.
• Vegetarian: For a vegetarian version, omit the ground beef and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth. Add more vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, or beans to make the soup hearty.
• Spicy: If you enjoy a bit of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a diced jalapeno when cooking the vegetables.

Conclusion

Cabbage Roll Soup is a delightful and hearty meal that brings together the comforting flavors of traditional cabbage rolls in a convenient soup form. With its blend of ground beef, vegetables, and rice simmered in a savory broth, this soup is perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re looking for a warming dinner on a cold night or a satisfying dish to share with family and friends, this Cabbage Roll Soup recipe is sure to impress. Follow the steps outlined above, and enjoy a bowl of this delicious and nutritious soup!

Cabbage Roll Soup: A Hearty, Comforting Meal in a Bowl

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• Author: hdrecipes
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings

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Description

Cabbage Roll Soup is a hearty and comforting dish that captures all the flavors of traditional cabbage rolls in a convenient soup form. It’s made with ground beef, cabbage, rice, and a savory tomato broth, offering a delicious and easy-to-make meal perfect for any season.

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Ingredients

1 pd. ground beef

1 medium diced onion

2 diced carrots

1 medium diced red bell pepper

4 cups diced cabbage

4 cloves minced garlic

2 tsp. tomato paste

4 cups beef broth

1 – 14.5oz. can tomato sauce

1 – 14.5oz. can diced tomatoes

2 medium bay leaves

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. black pepper

1 tsp. crushed rosemary

1 tsp. thyme

1 tsp. Italian seasonings

2 tsp. parsley

2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

1/2 cup long grain rice

1 Tbsp. oil

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Instructions

In a soup pot on med high heat add oil and ground beef.

Cook and chop until no longer pink.

Add onions, carrots, bell peppers, salt and black pepper.

Cook and stir 3-4 minutes.

 

Add minced garlic and cabbage.

Stir to combine.

 

Add tomato paste, beef broth, tomato sauce and diced tomatoes.

Stir and turn heat up to bring to simmer.

 

Add seasonings and Worcestershire sauce. Stir, cover and cook 15 minutes.

 

Add rice, stir, cover and cook 15 minutes.

 

Taste and add seasonings. Cook another 5-10 minutes or until rice is tender.

 

You can add water to thin out.

 

Serve and enjoy.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Soup
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Eastern European

Nutrition

• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 8g
• Sodium: 700mg
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 3.5g
• Carbohydrates: 22g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 15g
• Cholesterol: 50mg