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Stuffed Cabbage Soup

Easy Stuffed Cabbage Soup Recipe

Stuffed Cabbage Soup is a variation of the classic stuffedcabbage rolls. Instead of rolling the cabbage leaves, everything is combined ina soup pot. The soup includes cabbage, ground meat (like beef or turkey), rice,and a rich tomato-based broth, creating a savory and satisfying dish. Theflavors meld together as the soup simmers, giving each bite a taste of comfortand tradition.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Course: Soup
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 medium head of cabbage chopped into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey, pork, or a combination
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 2 large carrots peeled and diced
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup cooked rice white or brown
  • 1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 4 cups beef or vegetable broth
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika optional, but adds great depth of flavor
  • 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil for sautéing

Equipment

  • Large Stockpot
  • Large skillet
  • Wooden Spoon or Stirring Spoon
  • Sharp knife
  • Cutting board
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons
  • Ladle
  • Strainer

Method
 

  1. Brown the Meat: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground meat and cook until browned, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Once cooked, transfer the meat to a plate and set aside.
  2. Sauté the Veggies: In the same skillet, add the diced onions, carrots, and garlic. Sauté over medium heat until the onions are translucent and the vegetables have softened, about 5 minutes.
  3. Start the Soup Base: In a large stockpot, combine the cooked meat, sautéed vegetables, chopped cabbage, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and broth. Stir everything together to combine.
  4. Season: Add the rice, thyme, basil, smoked paprika (if using), salt, and pepper to the pot. Stir again, making sure all the flavors are evenly distributed.
  5. Simmer the Soup: Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-high heat. Once it’s simmering, reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Let the soup simmer for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally to ensure the cabbage is tender and the flavors are well combined.
  6. Final Taste Check: After simmering, taste the soup and adjust the seasonings with extra salt or pepper if needed.
  7. Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley and a dollop of sour cream if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!

Notes

The key to making Stuffed Cabbage Soup delicious is to allow it to simmer for long enough to fully soften the cabbage and meld all the flavors together. The slow cooking helps create a deep, rich taste. If you’re short on time, you can reduce the cooking time, but the soup won’t have the same depth of flavor.