Okay, let’s be real for a second. We all have those nights, right? The ones where the clock somehow speeds up between 5 and 6 PM, and suddenly you realize dinner needs to happen, like, five minutes ago. You’re tired, maybe a little hangry, and the thought of a complicated recipe just sends shivers down your spine. That’s exactly why I became obsessed with quick, satisfying meals that don’t make a huge mess. And let me tell you, this Cabbage and Ground Beef recipe? It’s become my absolute weeknight hero.
I’ve been cooking for what feels like forever, and over the years, I’ve tried a gazillion “easy” dinner recipes. Many of them promise the world but deliver a sink full of dishes or a flavor that’s just…meh. But this one, oh, this one is different. It’s hearty, it’s packed with flavor, and it all comes together in one single pan. Seriously, one pan! It’s the kind of comforting, no-fuss meal that makes you feel like you’ve really got your act together, even on your most chaotic days.
Why You’ll Love This Cabbage and Ground Beef Recipe
Okay, so you’re probably thinking, “Cabbage and ground beef? Really?” And my answer is a resounding YES! This isn’t your grandma’s bland boiled cabbage (unless your grandma was a secret culinary genius, in which case, high five!). This recipe is a total game-changer for so many reasons. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll be adding it to your regular rotation. It’s got that comfort food vibe but is surprisingly fresh and simple.
- It’s unbelievably easy: Seriously, if you can brown meat and chop veggies, you can make this.
- Flavor explosion: The combination of savory beef, sweet cabbage, and tangy tomatoes is just *chef’s kiss*.
- Super versatile: You can tweak this recipe to fit whatever you have on hand, which is a lifesaver on busy nights.
- Minimal cleanup: This is a big one for me! Everything cooks in just one pan. Fewer dishes, happier cook!
The Ultimate One-Pan Cabbage and Ground Beef Meal
Can we just take a moment to appreciate the magic of a one-pan meal? It’s like a warm hug for your kitchen—no multiple pots bubbling over, no endless scrubbing. This Cabbage and Ground Beef dish cooks entirely in a single skillet, which means less fuss and more time for you to actually relax after dinner. It’s perfect for those nights when the thought of doing dishes is just too much.
Essential Ingredients for Cabbage and Ground Beef
Alright, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty of what you’ll need to whip up this amazing Cabbage and Ground Beef dish. Don’t worry, it’s all super basic stuff you probably already have or can easily grab at any grocery store. No fancy, impossible-to-find ingredients here, promise!
Here’s your shopping list. Make sure to get everything ready before you start cooking – it makes the whole process so much smoother, trust me!
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef (I usually go for 80/20, but anything works!)
- 1 medium onion, chopped (just a regular yellow or white onion is perfect)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (don’t skimp on the garlic, it adds so much flavor!)
- 1 head green cabbage, cored and shredded (we’re talking about a medium-sized head here)
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained (you want all that juicy goodness)
- 1 cup beef broth (low sodium is my go-to)
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or a tablespoon of fresh, if you’re feeling fancy)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (you can always add more later, but this is a good starting point)
Selecting the Best Cabbage and Ground Beef
Okay, a quick word on picking out your stars of the show: the cabbage and the ground beef. For the cabbage, you want a head that feels heavy for its size and has nice, crisp outer leaves. Avoid anything with a lot of brown spots or a squishy feel. As for the ground beef, look for bright red meat with good marbling – that fat is flavor! If you can, grab grass-fed; it just tastes better, and ethically sourced is always a plus in my book.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Your Cabbage and Ground Beef Dish
Alright, let’s get cooking! This is where the magic happens, and trust me, it’s super straightforward. I’m going to walk you through each step just like I would with a friend standing next to me in my kitchen. Don’t stress about perfection; just follow along, and you’ll have a delicious, comforting meal in no time. The key here is to take your time with each stage, especially the browning, because that’s where a lot of the flavor builds!
You’ll want to have all your ingredients prepped and ready to go before you even turn on the stove. This is what we call “mise en place” in the cooking world, and it makes everything flow so much more smoothly. Once you start, things move pretty quickly, so having everything chopped and measured means you won’t be scrambling. Ready? Let’s dive in!
Preparing the Cabbage and Ground Beef Mixture
First things first, grab your biggest skillet or a Dutch oven – remember, we’re doing this all in one pan! Drizzle in that tablespoon of olive oil and get it nice and hot over medium-high heat. You’ll see it shimmer a bit when it’s ready. Now, toss in your pound of ground beef. Break it up with a spoon as it cooks. You want it to get beautifully browned all over; that’s where so much of the flavor comes from. Once it’s cooked through and no pink remains, it’s time to drain off any excess fat. You can tilt the pan and spoon it out, or carefully pour it into a heat-safe container. Don’t skip this step, or your dish might end up a little greasy.
Next up, it’s onion time! Add your chopped onion right into the skillet with the beef. Stir it around and let it cook for about 5 minutes, or until it starts to soften and turn a bit translucent. Oh, and here comes my favorite part: the garlic! Add your minced garlic and cook for just another minute. You’ll smell it almost instantly—that amazing fragrant aroma means it’s doing its job. Just be careful not to burn it, or it can turn bitter pretty fast.
Simmering Your Cabbage and Ground Beef to Perfection
Now, for the big reveal! Add your shredded cabbage, the can of undrained diced tomatoes (don’t drain them, you want all that liquid!), your beef broth, dried thyme, salt, and pepper into the skillet with the beef and aromatics. Give everything a really good stir to combine it all. It might look like a lot of cabbage at first, but don’t worry, it cooks down quite a bit!
Bring the mixture to a nice simmer, then immediately reduce the heat to low. Pop a lid on your skillet and let it do its thing for about 15 to 20 minutes. The goal here is for the cabbage to get nice and tender—not mushy, but soft enough that it practically melts in your mouth. Give it a stir occasionally, just to make sure nothing’s sticking. Once the cabbage is tender, you’re good to go! Dish it up hot and enjoy your delicious, comforting meal.
Tips for Success with Cabbage and Ground Beef
So, you’ve got the basic recipe down, but I’ve got a few extra tips that’ll make your Cabbage and Ground Beef dish go from good to absolutely amazing. First, always taste as you go! That initial salt and pepper amount is a starting point, but your taste buds are the best judge. Don’t be afraid to add a little more if it feels like it needs it. Secondly, when it comes to the cabbage, resist the urge to overcook it. You want it tender, but still with a little bit of bite, not completely limp. Keep an eye on it during that simmering stage, and if it looks done at 15 minutes, pull it! You can always cook it a little longer, but you can’t un-cook it.
Common Questions About Cabbage and Ground Beef
I get a lot of questions about this Cabbage and Ground Beef recipe, which is great because it means you’re all super excited to try it! Here are some of the most common ones I hear. If you have another question that isn’t here, just drop a comment below, and I’ll do my best to help you out!
Can I Use Different Ground Meats in My Cabbage and Ground Beef Recipe?
Absolutely! While I love the classic ground beef, this recipe is super flexible. You can easily swap in ground turkey, ground pork, or even a mix of meats. Just make sure to brown it well and drain any excess fat, just like you would with the beef. The cooking time should stay pretty much the same.
How Long Does Cabbage and Ground Beef Last?
This dish makes fantastic leftovers! Once it’s completely cooled, just pop it into an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. It’ll stay fresh and delicious for up to 3 days. To reheat, you can use the microwave or gently warm it on the stovetop with a splash of extra beef broth or water to keep it moist.
Nutritional Information for Cabbage and Ground Beef
For those of you curious about the numbers, a single serving of this Cabbage and Ground Beef dish clocks in at around 350 calories. You’re looking at about 20g of fat (with 8g saturated), 20g of carbs (including 6g of fiber!), and a hearty 25g of protein. Keep in mind, these are estimates and can vary based on your specific ingredients and portion sizes, but it gives you a good idea of what you’re getting!
Share Your Cabbage and Ground Beef Experience
So, there you have it! My absolute favorite, super simple, one-pan Cabbage and Ground Beef recipe. I really hope you give this a try in your own kitchen. When you do, please come back and let me know how it turned out! Did you love it as much as I do? What little tweaks did you make? Leave a comment below, rate the recipe, and don’t forget to share your delicious creations on social media. I can’t wait to hear from you!
Cabbage and Ground Beef: 1-Pan Epic Meal
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Halal
Description
A hearty and flavorful one-pan meal featuring tender cabbage and seasoned ground beef, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 head green cabbage, cored and shredded
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
- Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess fat.
- Stir in chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
- Stir in shredded cabbage, diced tomatoes, beef broth, thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until cabbage is tender.
- Serve hot.
Notes
- For a spicier dish, add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic.
- You can use ground turkey or pork instead of beef.
- Leftovers store well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: cabbage, ground beef, easy dinner, one pan, weeknight meal