Italian Bacon Cabbage Soup

Warm your soul with a comforting bowl of Italian Bacon Cabbage Soup, a hearty and flavorful one-pot meal that's perfect for cozy evenings. This rustic soup combines smoky, crispy bacon with tender cabbage, sweet carrots, and aromatic celery, all simmered in a rich broth infused with Italian herbs like oregano and thyme. A touch of diced tomatoes adds vibrant acidity, while fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese bring a fresh, savory finish. The best part? It’s easy to prepare in under an hour, making it an ideal weeknight dinner or meal-prep favorite. Garnish with extra bacon and cheese for a crowd-pleasing touch, and serve it alongside crusty bread for an irresistible combination. Optimize your cold-weather kitchen repertoire with this Italian-inspired cabbage soup that’s as nutritious as it is satisfying.

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 6 slices bacon
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion
• 3 cloves garlic cloves
• 2 medium carrots
• 2 stalks celery stalks
• 1 small head green cabbage
• 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 14-ounce can canned diced tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 leaf bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
• 0.5 cups Parmesan cheese

Directions

Step 1

Chop bacon into small pieces and set aside.

Step 2

Heat a large pot over medium heat and add the chopped bacon. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until crispy. Transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels and leave 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the pot.

Step 3

Add olive oil to the pot along with the chopped onion, garlic (minced), carrots (diced), and celery (diced). Sauté for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are softened and fragrant.

Step 4

Core and chop the green cabbage into bite-sized pieces. Add it to the pot and stir to combine with the sautéed vegetables.

Step 5

Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and the canned diced tomatoes (with their juices). Stir well.

Step 6

Add oregano, thyme, the bay leaf, salt, and black pepper. Stir again and bring the soup to a boil.

Step 7

Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let the soup simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 8

Remove the bay leaf and taste the soup. Adjust seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed.

Step 9

Stir in chopped fresh parsley and half of the crispy bacon. Reserve the rest of the bacon for garnish.

Step 10

Ladle the soup into bowls and top each serving with the reserved bacon and a sprinkling of grated Parmesan cheese. Serve warm and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2692.6 grams (2692.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1172

Total Fat 75.50g	97%
Saturated Fat 22.80g	114%
Polyunsaturated Fat 9.10g
Cholesterol 100mg	33%
Sodium 9394mg	408%
Total Carbohydrate 76.90g	28%
Dietary Fiber 24.90g	89%
Total Sugars 39.70g
Protein 53.60g	107%

Vitamin D 8IU	39%
Calcium 922mg	71%
Iron 8mg	42%
Potassium 2814mg	60%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 56.6%

Protein: 17.8%

Carbs: 25.6%