Stuffed Cabbage Soup

Super easy and quick to make.   If you like Cabbage Rolls (stuffed cabbage) you are going to love this.   The soup is thick like a stew, but you can thin it out with chicken or beef stock if you prefer your soup thinner.   I shred the cabbage very small, because that's how the family likes it, but you can leave it in bigger pieces if you prefer.

STUFFED CABBAGE SOUP
(serves 8)

Ingredients:
*1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
*1/2 pound ground pork (optional)
*1 large yellow onion, chopped
*4 large cloves of garlic, minced
*2 medium carrots, chopped small
*2 stalks of celery, chopped small
*1 teaspoon ground black pepper
*1/2 head of cabbage, shredded or chopped
*2 (14.5 ounces) beef broth
*1 quart of stewed tomatoes
*1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
*1 1/2 tablespoons light brown sugar
*1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
*2 bay leafs
*1 teaspoon dried paprika
*1 teaspoon dried oregano
*1/2 teaspoon dried basil
*1 tablespoon dried parsley
*1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
*1 cup dry white rice
*2 cups chicken stock or beef stock (if needed to thin soup out)
*1 teaspoon salt (if needed)

Directions:
~In a large stock pot, over medium heat, add beef, pork, onions, carrots, celery, garlic and pepper.
~Cook until beef and pork are browned, breaking up beef and pork as it cooks.
~Drain any excess grease.
~Pour in 2 cans of beef broth, stewed tomatoes, tomato sauce, cabbage, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, oregano, basil, parsley, and thyme.
~Bring to a boil.
~Reduce heat to a simmer and stir in rice.
~Cover and cook for 20-25 minutes or until rice is cooked, stirring occasionally.
~Add salt, if needed.
~Add chicken stock or beef stock, only if you want to thin out the soup.

Instant Pot Directions:

~Set Instant Pot to sauté mode.

~Once liner is hot, add beef, pork, onions, carrots, celery, garlic and peppers.

~Cook until beef and pork are browned, breaking up the beef and pork was it cooks.

~Drain any excess grease.
~Pour in 2 cans of beef broth, stewed tomatoes, tomato sauce, cabbage, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, oregano, basil, parsley, and thyme.
~Put on lid and set valve to seal.

~Pressure cook for 15 minutes.

~Add cooked rice and stir. (I cook it on the stove while the soup is pressure cooking).