Yield: 8 - 10 servings

Hearty Unstuffed Cabbage Soup with Sausage

Hearty Unstuffed Cabbage Soup with Sausage

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. good mild Italian Sausage such as Johnsonville's
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 1/4 tsp. coarse ground black pepper
  • 2 (24 oz.) jars Tomato & Basil pasta sauce such as Barilla's, or your favorite spaghetti sauce (6 cups)
  • 1 (6 oz.) can italian herb tomato paste such as Contadina
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 (10 1/2 oz.) can beef consommé
  • 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp. dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp. dried basil
  • 1/4 tsp. dried thyme, crush between fingers when adding to release flavor
  • 1 1/2 Tbl. dark brown sugar, (2 Tbl. if you prefer it a bit sweeter)
  • 1 large clove garlic, minced
  • 2 Tbl. ketchup
  • 1 Tbl. Better Than Bouillon Beef Base dissolved into 2 cups boiling water
  • 1 (14.5 oz.) can good stewed tomatoes such as Hunt's, (*break up tomatoes by hand when adding)
  • 1/2 of a small head cabbage, cut into 1 - 1 1/2" pieces
  • 2 ribs celery, sliced fairly thickly or as you like
  • 1 cup sweet baby carrots, sliced thickly as well, or how you like them
  • 4 Tbl. butter
  • 1 cup uncooked white long grain rice
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1/2 - 1 tsp. more kosher salt to taste

Instructions

  • In large stock pot, add sausage, onion and sprinkle with pepper. Break up sausage into chunks while cooking. Sauté until meat is fully cooked and no longer pink in centers.
  • Add rest of ingredients except rice. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, cover, lower temp, and cook, simmering, for 8-10 minutes.
  • Add rice, stir, recover and simmer until rice and veggies are tender over low heat. About 15 minutes longer. *Stir pot now and then to make sure rice is not sticking on the bottom.
  • Remove from heat, and let sit, covered, for 5-10 minutes to rest and cool down before serving.
  • For Cheesy Toast Dunkers: Top Texas Toast bread slices with mozzarella & provolone blend shredded cheese. Sprinkle lightly with garlic salt and dried parsley. Broil until cheese has melted. Cut each slice into 3 pieces for dunking! (Plan on 2 - 3 dunkers per serving).