A Must-Try Cabbage Soup with Ground Beef

Introduction

Looking for a comforting yet budget-friendly meal that’s both nourishing and simple to prepare? This Cabbage Soup with Ground Beef is a must-try. It combines tender cabbage, hearty ground beef, and a medley of vegetables in a flavorful, savory broth. This one-pot dish strikes the perfect balance of lightness and heartiness, making it an excellent choice for family dinners and easy meal prepping.

What Makes This Cabbage Soup Unmissable?

The secret lies in the harmonious blend of humble ingredients: cabbage brings a natural sweetness and satisfying bite; ground beef offers richness, protein, and extra flavor; carrots, tomatoes, and herbs add layers of depth. This soup is both filling and wholesome, and it’s endlessly customizable based on what you have on hand.

Building Maximum Flavor in Your Cabbage Soup

Start by browning the ground beef to achieve a deep, savory base. The browned bits left behind in the pot add complexity when the broth deglazes them. As the cabbage simmers, it absorbs the savory juices while still retaining a pleasant texture. Don’t hesitate to adjust the herbs and spices—add a pinch of Italian seasoning or a dash of smoked paprika for your own signature twist.

How to Serve Cabbage Soup with Ground Beef

This cabbage soup is satisfying on its own, but for a full meal, enjoy it with crusty bread or a scoop of cooked rice. Top each bowl with a sprinkle of fresh herbs, a dollop of sour cream, or a handful of shredded cheese for extra richness. Leftovers reheat beautifully and taste even better the next day, making it a staple for busy weeknights.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields roughly 6 generous portions. Each serving typically contains around 230-300 calories, depending on the leanness of the ground beef used. Packed with fiber, vitamins, and protein, it’s a wholesome choice that fits well into most balanced meal plans.

A Must-Try Cabbage Soup with Ground Beef (Recap)

With its vibrant flavors, hearty texture, and adaptable ingredient list, this cabbage soup with ground beef is destined to become a regular on your meal planning rotation. It’s budget-friendly, satisfying, and comes together with pantry staples.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with every ingredient sorted by grocery section—perfect for efficient meal planning and streamlined grocery runs.

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking up any clumps, until browned and no longer pink (about 5-7 minutes). Drain excess fat if needed.
2. Add diced onion and garlic. Sauté until the onion is translucent and fragrant, about 2 minutes.
3. Stir in the tomato paste, smoked paprika (if using), oregano, and thyme, cooking for 1 minute to intensify flavors.
4. Add the carrots, celery, chopped cabbage, diced tomatoes (with juices), and beef broth. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
5. Bring everything to a boil, then reduce heat. Simmer uncovered for 25-30 minutes, until all vegetables are tender and flavors have melded.
6. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Ladle hot soup into bowls and garnish each serving with fresh parsley, if desired.

Weekly Meal Planning

This Cabbage Soup with Ground Beef is a fantastic meal prep option—it scales easily and stores well for several days. Save and schedule this recipe for the week to effortlessly generate shopping lists that consolidate all the ingredients from your planned meals.

**Planning Benefits:**

• Automatically totals ingredient quantities across all scheduled recipes
• Organizes shopping lists by grocery store section for quick trips
• Prevents overlooked ingredients and duplicate purchases
• Makes meal prepping more streamlined and stress-free

Pro tip: When adding this soup and other meals to your week, see your ingredient overlaps (like carrots or onions), so you’ll buy just what you need—saving money and reducing kitchen waste.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes