It's not cabbage soup's fault that more people don't love it. Seriously, it's that , right? Cabbage soup: It doesn't have an immediately delicious ring to it, like Ree Drummond's . But don't let the name keep you away—this hearty, tasty, and yes, even is surprisingly delicious, inexpensive, and super easy to make. Add it to your list of the  to warm you up on a cold night.

Is cabbage soup good for you?

Yes, cabbage soup is actually really good for you! First off, it's full of vitamin-rich , which is also a tremendous source of fiber. (We used the green in this recipe.) Plus, the beans offer a good source of lean, plant-based protein, which is great for your heart.

What's in cabbage soup?

Besides cabbage and beans, cabbage soup is packed with flavor-boosting vegetables such as onions, carrots and garlic. And like a good , you can substitute whatever vegetables you have on hand, such as celery, potato, bell pepper, spinach or even kale.

Can I add meat to cabbage soup?

This recipe is vegetarian, but you can please the meat lovers in your family by using instead of vegetable broth, and by adding whatever cooked meat you'd like. Stir in pulled pork or rotisserie chicken at the end of cooking, or cook 1 pound of or Italian sausage in a medium while the soup simmers, stirring until browned and crumbly, about 8 minutes.

Season the meat with salt to taste, then stir it into the finished soup.

3 tbsp.

olive oil

1

medium yellow onion, chopped

2

medium carrots, sliced

1 tsp.

salt

1/2 tsp.

ground black pepper

1/2 tsp.

ground fennel seeds (optional)

1

small (2-lb.) head green cabbage, chopped

4

garlic cloves, chopped

4 c.

vegetable broth

2

15-oz. cans diced tomatoes, undrained

2

bay leaves

2

15-oz. cans white beans, drained and rinsed

Chopped parsley, for garnish

Step  1 In a large Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, salt, pepper, and fennel seeds, if using. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are slightly softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the cabbage and the garlic to the pan and stir to combine. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage is slightly softened, about 5 minutes. Step  2 Add the broth, tomatoes, and bay leaves. Bring to a simmer; cover, and cook until the cabbage is tender, about 15 minutes. Stir in the white beans and simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes. Remove the bay leaves. Step  3 Serve in soup bowls topped with parsley.