Description
Comforting cabbage roll soup brings Polish culinary traditions to your kitchen with rich, savory flavors. Tender cabbage, ground beef, and aromatic herbs blend perfectly, inviting you to savor each spoonful of this classic comfort meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef (or mix of beef and pork)
Vegetables:
- 1 large onion (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 medium head of cabbage (chopped (about 8 cups))
Tomato and Sauce Components:
- 2 14.5 ounces cans diced tomatoes
- 1 15 ounces can tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 4 cups beef broth
Grains and Rice:
- 0.5 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
Herbs and Spices:
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish:
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped (for garnish))
Instructions
- Sizzle ground meat in a robust pot over medium-high heat until golden brown, then discard excess grease.
- Introduce finely chopped onions and crushed garlic, cooking until onions become translucent and fragrant.
- Incorporate shredded cabbage, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and concentrated tomato paste, stirring thoroughly to combine.
- Fold in uncooked rice, rich beef broth, and aromatic herbs and spices, elevating the mixture to a vigorous boil.
- Lower temperature to a gentle simmer, cover the pot, and let the soup harmonize for 25-30 minutes until rice reaches perfect tenderness and cabbage softens.
- Evaluate the flavor profile, adjusting seasonings with precision. Optional: enhance with a bright splash of lemon juice or a creamy dollop of sour cream for additional depth.
- Ladle the steaming soup into bowls, serving immediately to capture maximum flavor and warmth.
Notes
- Customize meat choice by swapping ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based protein for healthier alternatives.
- Consider adding diced carrots or celery for extra nutrition and texture complexity in the soup.
- Use brown rice or quinoa instead of white rice to boost fiber and nutrient content, making the dish more wholesome.
- Prepare soup in advance and store in refrigerator for up to 4 days, allowing flavors to develop and intensify over time.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Eastern European
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg