Hearty Cabbage Bowl

Love meals that warm you to the core? This Cabbage Roll Soup will hit the spot! It takes all the good stuff from traditional cabbage rolls and turns it into a bowl of pure comfort - perfect when the weather turns chilly.

What You'll Need

• Vegetable Oil: Just enough to cook your beef and start those amazing flavors.
• Lean Ground Beef: Gives the soup its satisfying protein boost. Go with lean to avoid extra grease in your bowl.
• Salt and Pepper: Basic spices that make the beef taste even better.
• Yellow Onion (diced finely): Brings a touch of natural sweetness and loads of background flavor.
• Garlic (minced): Adds that can't-miss savory punch every good soup needs.
• Green Cabbage (chopped): The main event - gives great texture, nutrients and a gentle sweet note.
• Carrots (quartered and sliced): Add a pop of color and natural sweetness to balance everything out.
• Low-Sodium Beef Broth: Forms the tasty backbone without going overboard on salt.
• Tomato Sauce: Creates that distinctive tangy base that makes this taste like actual cabbage rolls.
• White Rice (uncooked): Soaks up all the yummy flavors while cooking and makes the soup super filling.
• Bay Leaf: Brings a subtle earthy background note you can't quite put your finger on.
• Light Brown Sugar: Cuts the tomato acidity and adds unexpected depth.
• Fresh Parsley (chopped): Adds a burst of color and freshness when sprinkled on top.

Cooking Steps

Step 1:

Grab your Dutch oven or big soup pot and heat up the vegetable oil on medium-high. Toss in your ground beef with some salt and pepper. Keep stirring now and then until the beef turns brown.

Step 2:

Drop the diced onion and minced garlic into the pot with your browned meat. Cook them together for 2-3 minutes until the onions go soft and clear, letting out their sweet smell and boosting the overall aroma.

Step 3:

Mix in your chopped cabbage and sliced carrots, stirring everything together. These veggies will get tender and drink up all the amazing flavors as everything cooks.

Step 4:

Pour in the tomato sauce, beef broth, raw white rice, bay leaf, and light brown sugar. Give it all a good stir to mix everything thoroughly.

Step 5:

Let the soup come to a gentle bubble. Turn down the heat and let it cook for about 25 minutes, or until you can tell the rice is soft and fully done.

Step 6:

When the rice feels tender, fish out the bay leaf so it doesn't take over the taste. Throw some chopped fresh parsley on top for a pretty splash of green and fresh flavor before you serve it up.

Dishing Up & Keeping Leftovers

Enjoy this soup steaming hot with a little fresh parsley on top for extra color and zip. It tastes awesome with a chunk of crusty bread or a simple side salad to round out your meal. Got leftovers? They'll stay good in a sealed container in your fridge for up to 4 days. Want to save it longer? Freeze portions in freezer containers for up to 3 months. When you're ready to eat it again, warm it up on the stove over medium heat, giving it a stir now and then until it's hot all the way through.

Quick Pointers

Add a pinch of red pepper flakes if you want a bit of heat. For a deeper taste, go with regular beef broth or mix beef and veggie broths together. You can swap in brown rice instead of white for more fiber, but remember it'll need to cook longer.

Pro Chef Advice

Ina Garten always says to use fresh parsley in your soups for that bright, lively flavor kick. Gordon Ramsay insists on browning your beef completely to get that rich, caramelized taste in every spoonful. Jamie Oliver suggests letting your soup sit for a few minutes after cooking so all those flavors can really come together.

What Makes This So Good

It's a complete meal in one pot, so cooking and cleanup couldn't be easier. It's loaded with good-for-you veggies and protein, so it fills you up without weighing you down. The flavors hit all the notes - savory, sweet, and tangy - so everyone at your table will find something to love.

Switch It Up

Try ground turkey or chicken if you want something lighter than beef. Throw in some diced tomatoes for more texture and a bit of sweetness. Or use cauliflower rice instead of regular rice to cut down on carbs.