🍋 Lemon Cabbage Soup with Rice & Meatballs

A hearty, comforting soup that features tender meatballs, rice, shredded cabbage, and a bright splash of lemon — perfect for cozy weeknights.

⏱ Prep: 20 min | Cook: 1 hr 15 min | Total: 1 hr 35 min

🍴 Serves: 6

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🛒 Ingredients

For the Meatballs:

1 lb ground beef

1 small ripe tomato, finely grated

1 egg yolk

4 Tbsp olive oil

1 clove garlic, minced

¼ cup finely chopped onion

¼ cup short-grain rice

1½ Tbsp chopped parsley

1½ Tbsp chopped dill

¾ tsp chopped mint

1 tsp sweet paprika

½ tsp dried thyme

¾ tsp salt

¼ tsp black pepper

For the Soup:

10 Tbsp olive oil, divided

1 lb chopped ripe tomatoes

2 cloves garlic, finely minced

2 tsp tomato paste

½ cup tomato sauce or purée

8 cups chicken, beef, or vegetable stock

1 bay leaf

1 small green bell pepper, diced

2 celery stalks with leaves, chopped

1 lb shredded white cabbage

½ cup short-grain rice, rinsed

2 Tbsp chopped parsley

1½ Tbsp chopped dill

6 Tbsp fresh lemon juice

Salt & black pepper, to taste

Extra lemon wedges for serving

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👩‍🍳 Instructions

1️⃣ Make the meatballs: In a large bowl, combine all meatball ingredients. Mix until slightly sticky. Shape into ~12 meatballs (about 2 oz each). Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

2️⃣ Start the soup base: Heat 5 Tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add tomatoes and garlic; stir ~2 minutes until fragrant.

3️⃣ Build the broth: Stir in tomato paste and tomato sauce. Cook ~2 more minutes, then pour in the hot stock and add a bay leaf. Bring to a boil.

4️⃣ Cook the meatballs in the soup: Lower heat slightly. Add meatballs one at a time, allowing the broth to return to a simmer each time. Partially cover and cook ~20 minutes until meatballs are firm and cooked through.

5️⃣ Add vegetables: Add shredded cabbage, bell pepper and chopped celery. Season with salt and pepper. Cook ~10 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.

6️⃣ Cook rice: Stir in rinsed rice and remaining olive oil. Simmer ~20-25 minutes until rice is tender and broth has thickened slightly.

7️⃣ Finish with herbs & lemon: Remove bay leaf. Stir in parsley, dill and lemon juice. Simmer 1 more minute. Remove from heat and let rest ~30 minutes for flavors to meld.

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