Description
Hearty cabbage roll soup brings Polish comfort to your kitchen, delivering nostalgic flavors in a single comforting bowl. Rich layers of ground meat, tender vegetables, and tangy tomato broth invite you to savor a classic recipe that warms both body and soul.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Base:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 lb ground pork
- 1 large onion
- 2 cloves garlic
Vegetables:
- 4 cups chopped cabbage
- 2 carrots
- 2 celery stalks
- 1 green bell pepper
Liquid and Seasonings:
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup uncooked rice
Instructions
- Warm olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat, preparing to build robust flavor foundations.
- Sauté diced onions until translucent and fragrant, approximately 3-4 minutes, then introduce minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds.
- Add ground beef and ground pork, breaking meat into small crumbles and browning thoroughly until no pink remains, roughly 7-8 minutes.
- Incorporate chopped carrots, celery, and green bell pepper, stirring to combine and allowing vegetables to soften slightly for 2-3 minutes.
- Pour in beef broth, diced tomatoes with their juices, and tomato paste, creating a rich liquid base for the soup.
- Sprinkle dried thyme, salt, and black pepper into the mixture, then drop in the bay leaf to infuse deep, layered seasonings.
- Bring the soup to a rolling boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and develop.
- Stir in uncooked rice and chopped cabbage, continuing to simmer for an additional 15-18 minutes until rice is tender and cabbage is soft.
- Remove bay leaf before serving, ensuring each bowl contains a harmonious blend of meat, vegetables, and aromatic broth.
- Let soup rest for 5 minutes off the heat to further develop its complex flavor profile before ladling into warm bowls.
Notes
- Choose lean ground beef or turkey for a lighter, healthier version of the soup that reduces overall fat content.
- Swap white rice with cauliflower rice or quinoa to create a low-carb, gluten-free alternative that maintains the dish’s hearty texture.
- Enhance meal prep by preparing larger batches and freezing portions, which develop even more intense flavors after reheating and allow convenient future meals.
- Consider adding a splash of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice at the end for a bright, tangy note that cuts through the richness of the meat and broth.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50-54 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Eastern European
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg