The Heartiest Cabbage Roll Comfort Bowl Recipe For Rainy Days

Hearty and wholesome, this cabbage roll comfort bowl blends traditional flavors with modern convenience.

Generations of home cooks have perfected the art of rolling tender cabbage leaves around savory fillings.

Our simplified version brings all those classic tastes into a convenient, satisfying bowl.

Packed with rich, comforting ingredients, this recipe offers a delightful twist on a beloved classic.

Layers of seasoned meat, rice, and vegetables meld together for a truly nourishing meal.

Warm and inviting, this dish promises to fill your kitchen with irresistible aromas.

You’ll love how easily this recipe comes together, making weeknight dinner a breeze.

Utensils For The Cabbage Comfort Bowl

• Large Skillet: Perfect for browning beef and sautéing vegetables.
• Wooden Spoon: Essential for stirring and mixing ingredients smoothly.
• Chef's Knife: Sharp blade for chopping cabbage and precise cutting.
• Cutting Board: Sturdy surface for preparing all ingredients.
• Measuring Cups: Accurate portioning of broth and seasonings.
• Measuring Spoons: Precise amount of salt, pepper, and herbs.
• Soup Pot: Spacious vessel for simmering and combining all components.
• Ladle: Convenient for serving the hearty soup.

Making Cabbage Roll Bowl Easily

• Sizzling Skillet Prep

Grab a large pan and drizzle olive oil, creating a golden cooking surface that’ll make your kitchen smell amazing.

• Meaty Foundation

Crumble ground beef into the pan, letting it dance and brown until it develops a rich, caramelized exterior.

• Veggie Harmony

Toss in chopped onions, carrots, and celery, letting them mingle and soften with the beef, releasing their sweet aromatics.

• Liquid Magic

Pour in savory broth, scraping up all those delicious browned bits stuck to the pan’s bottom for extra flavor depth.

• Cabbage Comfort Layer

Add shredded cabbage and diced tomatoes, letting them sink into the bubbling mixture and absorb all the delicious seasonings.

• Slow Simmer Transformation

Reduce heat and let everything gently bubble together, melding flavors and creating a hearty, soul-warming bowl of comfort.

• Final Touch

Ladle the steaming mixture into bowls, garnishing with fresh herbs for a burst of brightness that’ll make your taste buds dance.

How To Make This Bowl More Flavorful

• Swap ground beef for ground turkey, lamb, or plant-based crumbles to personalize the protein profile and match dietary preferences.
• Sprinkle smoked paprika, add a dash of worcestershire sauce, or include fresh herbs like thyme and rosemary to elevate the traditional cabbage roll taste.
• Prepare the soup base a day before serving, allowing flavors to meld and intensify overnight in the refrigerator for a more robust dining experience.
• Replace meat with hearty lentils, quinoa, or mushrooms to create a plant-based version that maintains the comforting essence of the original recipe.
• Top the bowl with fresh chopped parsley, a dollop of sour cream, or crispy breadcrumbs to add texture and visual appeal to the final dish.

Serve This Cabbage Dish In A Cozy Way

• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped parsley or dill on top for a burst of color and bright, fresh flavor that complements the hearty cabbage roll bowl.
• Pair with Crusty Bread: Serve alongside warm, toasted sourdough or rustic bread to soak up the rich, savory broth and add a delightful textural contrast.
• Enhance with Sour Cream: Add a dollop of tangy sour cream or Greek yogurt to create a creamy element that balances the robust meat and vegetable flavors.
• Create a Complete Meal: Complement the bowl with a simple side salad dressed with light vinaigrette to add a refreshing and lighter component to the comforting dish.

Storage Advice For Your Comfort Bowl

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftover cabbage roll soup in an airtight container for up to 4 days, keeping flavors rich and ingredients fresh in the cool environment of your refrigerator.
• Freeze for Future Meals: Transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, ensuring you remove excess air to prevent freezer burn and maintain quality for up to 3 months.
• Reheat with Care: Thaw frozen soup overnight in the refrigerator, then gently warm on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to distribute heat evenly and prevent scorching the bottom.
• Batch Prep like a Pro: Double the recipe and portion out extra servings for quick weeknight dinners or lunch meal prep, saving time and enjoying delicious comfort food whenever hunger strikes.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 7

Cabbage Roll Comfort Bowl: Ingredient Guide

• Ground Beef: Delivers hearty richness and robust flavor, selecting lean cuts ensures a cleaner taste without excess grease.
• Beef Broth: Amplifies meaty depth, choose low-sodium versions for better control of salt levels.

• Cabbage, Green Onions, Carrots: Create vibrant texture and nutritional complexity, selecting fresh, crisp produce guarantees maximum crunch and sweetness.
• Garlic: Provides aromatic intensity, purchasing firm, unblemished cloves ensures potent flavor punch.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Elevates overall taste profile, freshly ground pepper delivers more dynamic spice notes.
• Tomato Paste: Introduces rich umami undertones, selecting high-quality concentrated paste intensifies recipe's depth.
• Rice: Acts as hearty filler and texture enhancer, medium-grain varieties offer perfect absorption and softness.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Contributes tangy complexity, opt for traditional brands with balanced fermented character.

Hearty Cabbage Roll Comfort Bowl Recipe

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4.8 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Hearty Polish cabbage roll comfort bowl brings traditional flavors from Eastern European kitchens to modern dining tables. Generous layers of tender cabbage, savory meat, and rich tomato sauce will delight you with each comforting spoonful.

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Ingredients

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• 1 lb (454 g) lean ground beef
• 4 cups low-sodium beef broth
• 3 x 8 oz (3 x 227 g) cans crushed tomatoes
• 1 small green cabbage, chopped (about 6–7 cups)
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced finely
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 medium carrots, quartered and sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
• ½ cup brown rice, uncooked, or quinoa
• 1 tablespoon (1 tbsp) olive oil
• 1 tablespoon (1 tbsp) honey
• 1 bay leaf
• Fresh thyme leaves, a few spears, picked
• Kosher salt, to taste
• Ground pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Searing Protein: Heat a large skillet over medium-high, drizzle extra virgin olive oil, and brown ground beef into uniform crumbles, developing a golden exterior for 5-7 minutes.
2. Aromatic Base: Fold in finely diced onions, minced garlic, and chopped carrots, stirring constantly until onions become translucent and release their fragrant essence.
3. Liquid Foundation: Deglaze the pan with low-sodium broth, scraping caramelized meat particles from the skillet’s bottom to enhance depth of flavor.
4. Vegetable Integration: Combine diced cabbage, tomatoes, tomato paste, dried thyme, bay leaves, salt, and black pepper, creating a robust and harmonious mixture.
5. Slow Simmering: Reduce heat, cover the skillet, and allow the soup to gently simmer for 25-30 minutes, enabling ingredients to tenderize and flavors to meld thoroughly.
6. Final Touches: Discard bay leaves, taste and adjust seasonings, then serve in warm bowls, optionally garnishing with fresh parsley or a creamy sour cream dollop for luxurious richness.

Notes

• Meat Browning Technique: Sear ground beef thoroughly to develop a golden-brown crust, which locks in flavor and creates a deeper, more complex taste profile.
• Vegetable Timing: Add diced onions, garlic, and carrots after meat browns to prevent burning and ensure each ingredient maintains its distinct texture and flavor.
• Deglazing Magic: Use broth to scrape caramelized meat bits from pan bottom, capturing concentrated flavors that significantly enhance the overall soup’s depth.
• Simmering Secret: Low and slow cooking for 25-30 minutes allows cabbage to tenderize and ingredients to fully integrate, transforming the dish from simple ingredients to a rich, comforting meal.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Eastern European

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 8 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg