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Hungarian Cabbage Soup with Meatballs (Káposztaleves és Fasírtok)

5 from 2 votes
This healthy and hearty cabbage soup with meatballs has all the flavours we have grown to love in my mom's Hungarian cabbage roll recipe. This popular recipe is a perfect comfort soup for those cold winter days.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: Hungarian
Calories: 661

Ingredients
  

Meatballs: makes 18
  • 1 lb ground pork
  • ½ medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1/3 cup breadcrumbs
  • ½ tsp Hungarian sweet paprika
  • 1 tsp Himalayan salt
  • ½ tsp pepper
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Soup:
  • 2 slices butcher smoked bacon, sliced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 celery stem, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 14 oz (415 ml) can of diced tomatoes
  • 5 cups chicken broth (or vegetable)
  • ½ head cabbage, shredded (3 cups)
  • cup brown or long grain rice
  • 1 ½ tsp Himalayan salt
  • ½ tsp pepper
  • parsley and scallions for garnishing
  • sour cream (optional)

Equipment

  • large cast iron pot or sauce pot
  • Baking sheet

Method
 

  1. In a medium bowl, combine and mix together ground pork, onion, garlic, egg, bread crumbs, paprika, salt, black pepper and parsley. Shape the meat balls and place on a baking sheet lined with foil lightly greased with olive oil or lined with parchment paper. Set aside.
  2. In a large cast iron pot or sauce pot, over medium heat, add bacon and cook until crispy, about 5 minutes, transfer to a plate. Add oil and sauté for about 3-4 minutes, halfway through, add celery, then add garlic and sauté for another minute, long enough for the aroma to release.
  3. Stir in tomato paste and add diced tomatoes, chicken broth, shredded cabbage and rice. Season with salt and pepper. Simmer on low for about 30 minutes until the cabbage is tender and rice is cooked. Note: if using brown rice, it will require another 5 minutes or so to cook.
  4. While the soup is simmering, preheat oven 425º F. Bake the meatballs for 15-20 minutes until cooked through and crispy. Then once the soup is cooked, add the meatballs.
  5. Garnish with bacon, parsley and scallions. Add a dollop of sour cream.

Nutrition

Calories: 661kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 35gFat: 39gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 18gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 134mgSodium: 2005mgPotassium: 1228mgFiber: 6gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 662IUVitamin C: 59mgCalcium: 158mgIron: 5mg

Notes

Store this soup in the refrigerator for 3-4 days in an airtight container. If you have any leftovers and like to freezer this soup, add it to freeze safe containers or ziplock bags for individula serving size portions. 

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