Cabbage and Ground Beef Soup

Equipment

• Large soup pot or Dutch oven
• Wooden spoon
• Sharp knife
• Cutting board
• Measuring spoons
• Ladle

Ingredients

For the Soup

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 medium green cabbage, chopped
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes
• 6 cups beef broth
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 bay leaf

Optional Garnishes

• Fresh parsley
• Grated Parmesan cheese
• Cracked black pepper
• Crusty bread

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables

1. Wash and prepare all vegetables before beginning.
2. Dice the onion, chop the celery, slice the carrots, and cut the cabbage into bite-sized pieces. Mince the garlic and set everything aside.
3. Having the ingredients prepared in advance will make the cooking process smooth and efficient.

Step 2: Brown the Ground Beef

1. Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
2. Add the ground beef and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon as it browns.
3. Continue cooking until the beef is fully browned and no pink remains.
4. If necessary, carefully drain any excess grease.

Step 3: Cook the Aromatics

1. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery to the pot with the beef.
2. Cook for approximately 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften.
3. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
4. This step helps develop a deeper flavor base for the soup.

Step 4: Build the Broth

1. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
2. Add the diced tomatoes, beef broth, paprika, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and bay leaf.
3. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are combined.
4. Bring the soup to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.

Step 5: Add the Cabbage

1. Once the broth reaches a boil, add the chopped cabbage.
2. Stir carefully to incorporate the cabbage into the liquid.
3. At first, the cabbage may seem bulky, but it will quickly soften and reduce in volume as it cooks.

Step 6: Simmer the Soup

1. Reduce the heat to low and cover the pot.
2. Allow the soup to simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. During this time, the cabbage becomes tender while absorbing the rich flavors of the broth and seasonings.
4. The soup should develop a hearty consistency with perfectly cooked vegetables and flavorful beef.

Step 7: Final Seasoning

1. Remove the bay leaf and discard it.
2. Taste the soup and adjust seasonings if necessary. Add additional salt, pepper, or herbs according to your preference.
3. If you’d like a slightly thicker soup, allow it to simmer uncovered for an additional 5 to 10 minutes.

Step 8: Serve

1. Ladle the hot soup into serving bowls.
2. Garnish with fresh parsley, Parmesan cheese, or cracked black pepper if desired.
3. Serve immediately with crusty bread, dinner rolls, or a side salad for a complete meal.

Nutrition

Calories: 280 · Protein: 22g · Fat: 15g · Carbohydrates: 14g · Saturated Fat: 5g · Fiber: 4g · Sugar: 7g · Sodium: 620mg