Description
Easy Cabbage Meatball Soup is a hearty and nourishing bowl of comfort made with tender meatballs, soft cabbage, and a rich tomato broth. Perfect for weeknights, this cozy one-pot wonder delivers big flavor with minimal effort—ideal for warming up cold days or satisfying a craving for something simple and wholesome.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef or turkey
- 1/3 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 cups chopped green cabbage
- 1 large carrot, sliced
- 1 (14 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 4 cups beef or chicken broth
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, salt, and pepper. Form into small meatballs (about 1 inch in diameter).
- In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Brown meatballs in batches until golden on the outside (they don’t need to be fully cooked through). Set aside.
- In the same pot, add onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until soft. Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute more.
- Add chopped cabbage and carrots. Sauté for 5 minutes to slightly soften.
- Pour in crushed tomatoes and broth. Stir in oregano, paprika, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to a simmer and gently add browned meatballs back into the pot. Simmer uncovered for 20–25 minutes until meatballs are cooked through and cabbage is tender.
- Taste and adjust seasoning. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.
Notes
- For extra heartiness, stir in a handful of cooked rice or small pasta just before serving.
- This soup freezes well—just cool completely before storing.
- Use ground pork, chicken, or a blend for the meatballs if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 75mg