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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
- Aromatic Base: Fold in finely diced onions, minced garlic, and chopped carrots, stirring constantly until onions become translucent and release their fragrant essence.
- Liquid Foundation: Deglaze the pan with low-sodium broth, scraping caramelized meat particles from the skillet’s bottom to enhance depth of flavor.
- Vegetable Integration: Combine diced cabbage, tomatoes, tomato paste, dried thyme, bay leaves, salt, and black pepper, creating a robust and harmonious mixture.
- 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.
- 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