The Easiest Cabbage And Ground Beef Recipe Everyone Loves

Culinary magic happens when this cabbage and ground beef casserole lands on your dinner table.

Hearty ingredients combine in a symphony of comfort and flavor.

Weeknight meals rarely feel this satisfying and simple.

You adore how quickly everything comes together in one pan.

Savory beef mingles with tender cabbage, creating a dish that speaks directly to your hunger.

Layers of rich, robust flavors promise a meal that will become a household favorite.

Each bite promises warmth and deliciousness you cannot wait to experience.

What Makes Cabbage and Ground Beef So Hearty

• Protein-Packed Comfort: Loaded with ground beef and packed with nutrients from cabbage, this dish delivers a satisfying and wholesome meal that keeps you full and energized.
• Spice Up Your Routine: Featuring a bold blend of cumin, cayenne, and smoked paprika, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into a flavor-explosion that'll excite your taste buds and break free from boring meals.
• Budget-Friendly Culinary Magic: Combining affordable ingredients like ground beef and cabbage, this recipe proves you can create restaurant-worthy flavors without breaking the bank.

What You’ll Need for Cabbage and Beef

• Ground Beef: Fresh ground meat for the hearty foundation of the dish.

• Onions: Sweet and crisp vegetables that add depth.
• Garlic: Pungent and flavorful ingredient for robust taste.

• Cabbage: Crisp and nutritious green vegetable for bulk and texture.

• Diced Tomatoes: Juicy and tangy base for the sauce.

• Bouillon Powder, Cumin, Cayenne Pepper, Smoked Paprika: Warm and complex spice blend for rich flavor.
• Salt: Essential seasoning for balanced taste.

• Parsley, Cilantro: Fresh green herbs for bright finishing garnish.

How to Cook Ground Beef and Cabbage Together

Step 1: Brown the Beef

Cook ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat.

Use a wooden spoon to break up the meat into small pieces.

Continue cooking until the beef is completely browned and no pink remains, typically taking 5-7 minutes.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatics

• Onions
• Garlic

Push browned beef to one side of the pan.

Add chopped onions to the empty space and cook until they become translucent and soft, about 3-4 minutes.

Introduce minced garlic and sauté for an additional 1-2 minutes, releasing its fragrant aroma.

Step 3: Create Flavor Base

• Diced tomatoes
• Bouillon powder
• Cumin
• Cayenne pepper
• Smoked paprika
• Salt

Pour diced tomatoes with their juice into the skillet.

Sprinkle in bouillon powder, cumin, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, and a pinch of salt.

Stir ingredients thoroughly to combine.

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes to develop deep, rich flavors.

Step 4: Add Cabbage and Simmer

Fold chopped cabbage into the skillet, ensuring it’s well incorporated with the beef and tomato mixture.

Cover the pan and cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

The cabbage will soften and absorb the delicious spices and cooking liquid.

Step 5: Final Seasoning and Serving

Taste the skillet dish and adjust seasoning as needed.

Serve hot with your choice of accompaniments like rice, crusty bread, or roasted potatoes.

Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or cilantro for a bright, fresh finish.

Tips for Flavorful Cabbage and Beef Skillet

• Cook ground beef thoroughly until no pink remains, using a wooden spoon to break it into small, even pieces for consistent texture and better flavor absorption.
• Sauté onions and garlic separately to develop deeper, richer flavor profiles before combining with beef, which enhances the overall taste of the dish.
• Adjust cayenne and smoked paprika quantities based on personal heat preference, starting with smaller amounts and gradually increasing for perfect seasoning.
• Avoid overcooking cabbage by monitoring its tenderness; stop cooking when it becomes soft but still retains a slight crunch for optimal texture and nutritional value.
• Replace rice or bread with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles to create a low-carbohydrate version of this hearty meal that remains satisfying and delicious.

Store and Reheat the Cabbage and Beef Dish

• Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cool the dish completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Package the cabbage and ground beef in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 3 months.
• Warm the dish in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Add a splash of water or broth to restore moisture and prevent drying out.
• Place portion in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed.

Best Side Dishes for Cabbage and Ground Beef

• Pair with Robust Red Wine: Choose a bold Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah to complement the hearty beef and spicy flavors, cutting through the richness with its tannic structure.
• Serve with Tangy Slaw Side: Create a crisp, cold coleslaw with apple cider vinegar and fresh herbs to contrast the warm, spiced main dish and provide refreshing textural balance.
• Match with Crusty Sourdough Bread: Tear chunks of rustic sourdough to soak up the savory tomato-beef sauce, adding a delightful carbohydrate component that enhances every bite.
• Enhance with Bright Pilsner Beer: Select a crisp, clean Czech-style pilsner that will cleanse the palate between spoonfuls and lighten the dish's substantial meat and cabbage profile.

Tasty Variations for Beef and Cabbage Recipes

• Low-Carb Cauliflower Swap: Replace cabbage with riced cauliflower for a lower-carb version that maintains the same hearty texture and flavor profile.
• Vegetarian Protein Alternative: Substitute ground beef with plant-based crumbles or lentils to create a meatless version packed with protein and similar seasonings.
• Spicy Mediterranean Edition: Add crumbled feta cheese, kalamata olives, and swap cayenne for red pepper flakes to give the dish a Mediterranean-inspired kick.
• Keto-Friendly Option: Use ground turkey instead of beef, increase fatty ingredients like butter or olive oil, and serve over cauliflower rice to make the dish completely keto-compliant.

FAQs

• What are the main proteins and vegetables in this recipe?

The main protein is ground beef, and the primary vegetable is cabbage. These ingredients create a hearty and nutritious one-pan meal that’s simple to prepare.

• Is this recipe considered budget-friendly?

Yes, this recipe is very budget-friendly. Ground beef and cabbage are affordable ingredients that can feed multiple people without breaking the bank. It’s an economical dish that doesn’t compromise on flavor.

• How spicy is this dish?

The recipe includes cayenne pepper, which adds a mild heat. However, you can easily adjust the spiciness by reducing or increasing the amount of cayenne pepper to suit your taste preferences.

• Can I make this recipe in advance?

Absolutely! This dish reheats well and can be stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. The flavors actually develop and become more robust after sitting overnight, making it a great meal prep option.

Cabbage And Ground Beef Recipe

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4.6 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty cabbage and ground beef casserole brings comfort straight from Midwestern kitchens to dinner tables nationwide. Savory layers of tender cabbage and seasoned beef create a satisfying meal that warms souls and delights palates with its rustic charm.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef

Vegetables:

• 1 small cabbage, chopped
• 1 cup onions, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 can (15 ounces / 425 grams) diced tomatoes

Seasonings:

• 1 tablespoon bouillon powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Salt to taste

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Instructions

1. Prepare a large skillet and heat it to medium temperature for browning the ground beef.
2. Crumble the ground beef into the pan, using a wooden spoon to break it into small pieces while cooking until it develops a rich, golden-brown color and releases its juices (approximately 5-7 minutes).
3. Create space in the pan by moving the browned beef to one side, then introduce chopped onions to the empty area, sautéing until they become translucent and soft (around 3-4 minutes).
4. Add minced garlic to the onions, stirring continuously to prevent burning and allowing the aromatics to release their fragrant oils (1-2 minutes).
5. Pour diced tomatoes with their natural juices into the skillet, creating a vibrant base for the dish.
6. Enhance the flavor profile by incorporating bouillon powder, cumin, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, and a measured amount of salt, stirring to distribute the spices evenly.
7. Allow the mixture to reach a gentle boil, then reduce heat to create a simmering environment, letting the flavors meld together for approximately 5 minutes.
8. Introduce chopped cabbage to the skillet, carefully folding it into the existing mixture to ensure even coating.
9. Cover the pan to trap steam and promote even cooking, letting the cabbage soften and absorb the surrounding flavors for 10-15 minutes.
10. Periodically stir the contents to prevent sticking and ensure uniform cooking.
11. Taste the dish and make final adjustments to seasoning, adding salt or additional spices as needed to balance the flavors.
12. When the cabbage reaches a tender consistency, transfer the completed dish to serving plates.
13. Complement the meal by pairing with rice, bread, or potatoes, and garnish with freshly chopped parsley or cilantro to add a bright, fresh note.

Notes

• Customize spice levels by adjusting cayenne pepper for those who prefer mild or hot dishes.
• For low-carb dieters, serve this cabbage and ground beef skillet without rice or bread to keep the meal ketogenic-friendly.
• Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based meat alternatives to accommodate different dietary preferences and create a versatile protein option.
• Enhance nutritional value by adding extra vegetables like bell peppers or carrots during the cooking process for increased vitamins and fiber content.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg