Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics (5 minutes)

• Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil or butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Once hot, add 1 diced onion and sauté for about 3 minutes until it becomes soft and translucent.
• Next, add 3 cloves of minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic—it turns bitter quickly!
• Pro Tip: If you’re using lean ground beef, you might need extra oil to keep things from sticking.

Step 2: Brown the Ground Beef (5-7 minutes)

• Add 1 pound of ground beef to the pot, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Stir occasionally and let it brown for 5-7 minutes, until no pink remains.
• Pro Tip: If there’s a lot of grease, drain some of it using a spoon or paper towel. But don’t remove all of it—that little bit of fat adds flavor to the soup!

Step 3: Add Seasonings & Tomato Paste (2 minutes)

• Once the beef is browned, stir in:
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• Then, add 1 (6-ounce) can of tomato paste and stir well. Let it cook for 1-2 minutes to deepen the flavor.
• Pro Tip: Cooking tomato paste for a minute before adding liquid helps remove any metallic taste and makes the soup richer!

Step 4: Add the Broth & Tomatoes (5 minutes)

Pour in 6 cups of beef broth and stir to combine. Then, add 1 (14.5-ounce) can of diced tomatoes along with any optional add-ins like carrots, potatoes, or Worcestershire sauce.

• Turn the heat up to high and bring the soup to a boil, which should take about 5 minutes.
• Pro Tip: If you like a slightly sweeter soup, add ½ teaspoon of sugar to balance the acidity from the tomatoes.

Step 5: Add the Cabbage & Simmer (20-25 minutes)

• Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and stir in 6 cups of chopped cabbage. Cover the pot and let it simmer for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally. The cabbage should become soft but not mushy, and the flavors will meld beautifully.
• Be Patient! This is where the magic happens—the longer it simmers, the better it tastes!

Step 6: Taste & Adjust (2 minutes)

• Give your soup a taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. If you like a little spice, sprinkle in some red pepper flakes. If it needs more richness, add a splash of Worcestershire sauce.

Step 7: Serve & Enjoy!

• Ladle the soup into bowls and serve hot. It pairs beautifully with crusty bread, cornbread, or a side of rice for an even heartier meal.
• Pro Tip: This soup tastes even better the next day! Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.