Ground Beef and Cabbage: A 30-Minute Skillet Dinner Packed with Flavor

If you’ve got a pound of ground beef, half a head of cabbage, and thirty minutes, you’re halfway to dinner. This ground beef and cabbage recipe is everything a weeknight meal should be: quick, hearty, and loaded with protein. It’s one of those one-pan ground beef and cabbage dinners that hits the table faster than takeout and leaves you with minimal cleanup.

The flavor? Think of it as a beef and cabbage stir fry meets Italian comfort food. You’ve got lean ground beef seared until browned, ribbons of cabbage sautéed until soft and sweet, and a tomato sauce seasoned with smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, balsamic vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce for depth and balance.

Serve it over rice, egg noodles, or even cauliflower rice if you’re going low carb or keto. It’s similar in spirit to a cabbage and sausage skillet—just with a beefy twist that keeps everyone happy.

Ingredient Notes for Ground Beef and Cabbage Recipe

Here’s what you need to make this ground beef and cabbage skillet shine:

• Ground Beef: Go for lean—85% or 90%—so you get rich flavor without a greasy pan.
  
• Cabbage: Green cabbage is classic, but red works if that’s what you’ve got. Don’t stress the quantity—it shrinks a lot as it cooks.
  
• Onion and Garlic: Fresh garlic is key. This is your flavor base. Let it get lightly golden before adding beef.
  
• Tomato Sauce: Keeps the dish saucy and helps marry all the seasonings. Think of it as your built-in glaze.
  
• Smoked Paprika & Italian Seasoning: Add warmth and herby notes that make it feel like a slow-simmered cabbage and hamburger recipe, without the wait.
  
• Balsamic Vinegar: Adds a subtle sweetness that balances the acidity of tomatoes.
  
• Worcestershire Sauce: The umami bomb. Don’t skip it—it deepens that “cooked-all-day” taste.
  

Optional additions for a ground beef cabbage meal that’s next-level:

• A pinch of cayenne for heat.
  
• A handful of shredded carrots for color and natural sweetness.
  
• A touch of soy sauce if you’re leaning toward a beef and cabbage stir fry vibe.
  

Tips for Cooking the Perfect Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet

You don’t need fancy tools—just good technique.

1. Use a large (12-inch) skillet. Give everything room to brown, not steam. Crowding is the enemy of flavor.
   
2. Break up the beef with a meat chopper or wooden spoon. You want small crumbles that sear evenly.
   
3. Cook in stages. Brown the beef first, then add aromatics and cabbage. That layering builds flavor.
   
4. Don’t panic if it looks like too much cabbage. It cooks down to about half its volume in ten minutes.
   
5. Let it sauté longer if you like softer cabbage. The sugars caramelize and create that sweet-savory edge.
   

Chef tip: A splash of water or broth near the end helps steam the cabbage just enough to make it tender without losing bite.

Substitutions and Variations for Skillet Cabbage and Beef

This skillet cabbage and beef dish is as flexible as it gets.

• Coleslaw mix: Short on time? Use a 14-oz bag instead of chopping cabbage.
  
• Diced tomatoes: Add a can for a chunkier beef cabbage mix texture.
  
• Spicy version: Swap smoked paprika for hot paprika or add cayenne for kick.
  
• Add veggies: Bell peppers, carrots, or zucchini turn this into a full ground beef and vegetables recipe.
  
• Casserole style: Transfer to a baking dish, top with cheese, and bake for a ground beef cabbage casserole twist.
  

Serving Suggestions for Beef and Cabbage Dinner

Here’s how to plate this simple cabbage recipe with meat like a pro:

• Spoon it over white rice or egg noodles for a comforting cabbage and beef dinner.
  
• Keep it light with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles for a keto ground beef and cabbage meal.
  
• Add a dollop of sour cream or sprinkle of Parmesan for extra richness.
  
• Serve with crusty bread to soak up that tomato-balsamic sauce (trust me, it’s worth it).
  

Storage Tips for Ground Beef Cabbage Meal

This beef and cabbage dinner keeps beautifully for meal prep:

• Refrigerate: Up to 4 days in an airtight container.
  
• Freeze: Up to 3 months. The cabbage will soften a bit after thawing, but the flavor stays great.
  
• Reheat: Use a skillet over medium heat for best texture—avoid microwaving too long or it’ll get soggy.
  

More and Related Ground Beef and Cabbage

• Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet
  
• Best Ground Beef and Noodles Recipe
  
• Savory Caramelized Onion Meatloaf
  
• Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes
  
• Cheesy Penne with Garlic Butter Ground Beef
  
• Ground Beef Zucchini Sweet Potato Skillet
  
• Best Ground Beef Chili Recipe
  
• Creamy Smothered Chicken and Rice
  
• Paleo Dinner Skillet
  
• Crockpot Kielbasa and Green Beans
  
• Creamy Street Corn Pasta Salad
  

FAQ: Ground Beef and Cabbage Recipe

Conclusion

This ground beef and cabbage skillet is the kind of weeknight meal you’ll make once and keep making forever. It’s fast, flexible, and full of that cozy, satisfying flavor that makes simple food taste special.

If you love quick, flavorful dinners like this beef and cabbage tomato sauce skillet, follow my Pinterest page for more easy ground beef recipes and cabbage and mince recipes:
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This is the kind of sautéed cabbage with beef dinner you’ll want to eat straight from the pan—and honestly, I won’t blame you.

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