Description
A hearty soup that captures all the flavors of stuffed cabbage rolls — ground meat, rice, cabbage, and tomato — in a single pot.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons neutral oil (e.g. canola or olive)
- 1 ½ pounds lean ground beef
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chopped green cabbage
- 1 ¼ cups chopped carrots
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 4 cups chicken (or beef) broth, unsalted or low salt
- ¼ cup medium‑grain brown rice
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large heavy pot over medium‑high heat. Add ground beef; cook, stirring often, until meat is cooked through and starting to brown slightly (about 6‑7 minutes).
- Add onion, carrots, celery and cabbage; cook, stirring often, until the onions are translucent and vegetables begin to soften (approx. 5 minutes).
- Stir in brown sugar, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and cayenne; cook for about 1 minute, stirring, until spices are fragrant.
- Add tomato sauce and broth, scraping the bottom of the pot to release browned bits. Bring soup to a boil.
- Stir in rice. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer until rice is tender (about 30‑35 minutes).
- Adjust seasoning if needed. Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley. Serve hot.
Notes
- You can swap ground beef for ground turkey or chicken to reduce fat.
- For a gluten‑free version, ensure broth and tomato sauce are gluten‑free.
- Add a splash of vinegar or a squeeze of lemon when serving for a bit of brightness.
- Soup thickens over time; thin with additional broth or water if needed.
- Freezes well—store leftovers in airtight containers; reheat gently.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1½ cups (~310 g)
- Calories: 300 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 434 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: ~10‑12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 58 mg
