Cabbage Roll Meatball Soup
Why You’ll Love This Soup
Classic flavor, easier method – No rolling required!One-pot meal – Less cleanup, more comfort.Great for leftovers – Tastes even better the next day.Family-friendly – Familiar flavors everyone enjoys.Tips for the Best Flavor
Smaller meatballs cook more evenly and fit better on a spoon.If the soup thickens too much, just add a splash of broth.This soup freezes well, making it perfect for meal prep.Serving Suggestions
Serve this soup hot with crusty bread or a buttered roll on the side. A sprinkle of fresh parsley or a dollop of sour cream on top adds a nice finishing touch, but it’s just as delicious on its own.Ingredients
- For the meatballs:
- 1 lb ground beef or pork or a mix
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp chopped parsley
- For the soup:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 carrots diced
- 2 celery stalks diced
- ½ cup cooked rice
- 4 cups chopped green cabbage
- 1 can 14 oz crushed tomatoes
- 6 cups beef or vegetable broth
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- - Optional: 1 tbsp brown sugar or a splash of vinegar for balance
Instructions
- Make the meatballs:
- In a bowl, mix all meatball ingredients. Form into small balls (about 1 inch). Chill while prepping the soup.
- Sauté the base:
- In a large pot, heat olive oil. Sauté onion, garlic, carrots, and celery until softened (5–7 minutes).
- Add cabbage and tomatoes:
- Stir in chopped cabbage and crushed tomatoes. Cook for 5 minutes.
- Add broth, cooked rice and seasonings:
- Pour in broth, add bay leaf, thyme, salt, pepper, and optional sugar or vinegar. Bring to a simmer.
- Add meatballs:
- Gently drop meatballs into the simmering soup. Cover and cook for 25–30 minutes until meatballs are cooked through and flavors meld.
- Taste and adjust:
- Remove bay leaf. Adjust seasoning as needed.
Notes
Nutritional Highlights
- High Protein: Delivering roughly 27g of protein per serving, this dish is highly satiating thanks to the ground meat and egg base.
- Fiber Rich: The addition of 4 cups of green cabbage, carrots, and celery provides a solid dose of dietary fibre to support digestive health.
- Sodium Note: The sodium content is heavily dependent on the type of broth used. Using low-sodium beef or vegetable broth can cut the estimated sodium count nearly in half.
Tips to Adjust Macros
- To lower the fat/calories: Swap the ground beef for lean ground turkey or chicken breast.
- To lower the carbs: Omit the 1/2 cup of cooked rice or swap it out for riced cauliflower.
- To increase fiber: Swap the white rice for cooked brown rice or green lentils.