Beef and Cabbage Soup (Print Format)

Enjoy the taste of cabbage rolls without all the work. A hearty, cozy soup perfect for any weeknight meal.

# Ingredients:

→ Core Components

01 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
02 - 1 pound ground beef
03 - 1 cup water
04 - 2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
05 - 2 cups cabbage, diced
06 - Salt and pepper to your liking
07 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
08 - 1 onion, diced
09 - 4 cups beef stock
10 - 1 teaspoon dried basil
11 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
12 - 1 cup cooked white rice
13 - 1 tablespoon brown sugar (optional, if you prefer it sweeter)
14 - 1 (6 oz) can of tomato paste
15 - 1 (15 oz) can of diced tomatoes
16 - Fresh parsley on top (optional, for a pop of color)

# Steps:

01 - In a big pot, heat the olive oil over moderate heat. Toss in the ground beef and use a spoon to break it apart as you cook it. Let it brown completely, which should take around 5-7 minutes.
02 - Stir in the diced onion and minced garlic. Continue cooking for 3-4 minutes, or until they get soft and aromatic.
03 - Now add the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth, water, pre-cooked rice, chopped cabbage, dried basil, thyme, smoked paprika, and some salt and pepper. Heat it until it boils.
04 - Turn the heat way down and let the soup cook gently for 30-40 minutes. This allows the cabbage to get soft and blends all the flavors nicely.
05 - If you'd like, mix in the brown sugar to tone down the tomato acidity. Once done, taste and tweak the seasoning if needed before serving.
06 - Dish out the soup while it's still hot. Sprinkle with fresh parsley on top if you'd like.

# Tips:

01 - A tiny pinch of red pepper flakes can bring more heat.
02 - Add extra broth to make the soup thinner if needed.
03 - Store leftovers in the fridge for no more than 3 days, or freeze for a longer shelf life.