Easy Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet Dinner

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This Easy Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet Dinner is comfort food at its finest. It comes together in just one pan, takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish, and is packed with flavor. With simple ingredients like ground beef, green cabbage, and everyday pantry staples, this dish is a lifesaver for busy weeknights when you need a filling meal without the hassle.

The tender cabbage cooks down into something sweet and buttery while the seasoned ground beef adds richness and a savory bite. Everything melds together beautifully with garlic, onions, and a touch of seasoning to create a hearty, satisfying skillet meal the whole family will enjoy.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet Dinner

This is one of those recipes that checks all the boxes. It’s budget-friendly, uses ingredients you likely have on hand, and doesn’t leave a pile of dishes behind. It’s naturally gluten-free and low in carbs, making it a great option if you’re trying to eat more mindfully. Plus, it’s endlessly customizable. Add hot sauce, swap in ground turkey, or toss in leftover veggies — it all works.

What Kind of Cabbage Should I Use?

Green cabbage is your best bet here. It softens nicely while still holding some texture and has a mild sweetness that works well with the savory beef. You could also use Napa cabbage or even purple cabbage if that’s what you have. Just keep in mind that cooking times might vary slightly depending on the type and thickness of your cabbage shreds.

Ingredients for the Easy Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet Dinner

The beauty of this dish is how it transforms basic ingredients into something warm and satisfying. You won’t need anything fancy to make this work.

Ground beef is the protein foundation of the dish. It brings flavor and heartiness.

Green cabbage is the star vegetable here. It becomes tender and subtly sweet as it sautés.

Yellow onion adds aromatic depth and blends beautifully into the beef.

Garlic gives the skillet boldness and savory punch.

Olive oil helps with sautéing the veggies and adds a touch of richness.

Salt and pepper bring everything into balance.

Smoked paprika (optional) adds warmth and a smoky edge.

Soy sauce (or coconut aminos) for umami and a savory finish.

How To Make the Easy Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet Dinner

Step 1: Brown the Ground Beef

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned and no longer pink, breaking it apart as it cooks. Once cooked through, remove the beef from the skillet and drain excess grease if needed.

Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics

In the same skillet, add olive oil followed by the chopped onion. Cook until soft and translucent, then stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

Step 3: Add the Cabbage

Toss in the shredded cabbage and cook, stirring occasionally, until it starts to wilt and soften. This should take about 6 to 8 minutes.

Step 4: Season and Combine

Return the cooked ground beef to the skillet. Season the entire mixture with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and a splash of soy sauce. Stir everything together and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes so the flavors meld.

Step 5: Serve Warm

Once everything is heated through and the cabbage is tender, remove from heat and serve immediately.

How to Serve and Store This Skillet Dinner

This Easy Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet Dinner makes enough to feed about four hungry people. Serve it as-is for a simple, low-carb dinner, or pair it with mashed potatoes, steamed rice, or crusty bread to make it stretch even further.

Leftovers store well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. Just reheat it in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave. It’s one of those dishes that might even taste better the next day!

What to Serve With This Recipe?

Mashed Potatoes

Creamy mashed potatoes make a comforting base for scooping up all the meaty cabbage goodness.

Steamed Jasmine Rice

Simple rice soaks up the savory juices and balances out the dish beautifully.

Garlic Bread

A warm, crusty side of garlic bread adds crunch and extra richness.

Roasted Carrots

Sweet and caramelized carrots offer a nice contrast in flavor and texture.

Garden Salad

A fresh side salad with vinaigrette brightens the whole meal.

Pickled Vegetables

A small plate of tangy pickled veggies cuts through the richness of the beef.

Fried Egg

Top your serving with a sunny-side-up egg for a diner-style twist.

Sauteed Mushrooms

Deep, earthy flavors of mushrooms pair perfectly with the beef and cabbage.

Want More Skillet Dinner Ideas?

If you loved this cozy skillet meal, here are a few more hearty dishes you can try next:

• Try our Ground Beef Zucchini Sweet Potato Skillet for a veggie-loaded option.
• This Creamy Kielbasa Gnocchi Soup is another one-pan comfort food favorite.
• Don’t miss the Keto Hamburger and Broccoli Skillet if you’re keeping things low-carb.
• Our Pepperoni Pizza Grilled Cheese is a kid-friendly twist on two classics.

Save This Recipe For Later

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dinner board so you can come back to it any time.

Let me know in the comments how you made it your own. Did you add hot sauce, mushrooms, or maybe even noodles? I’d love to hear your variations.

Explore beautifully curated hearty skillet meals and low-effort weeknight favorites over on Luna Meals on Pinterest. There’s always something new to try!

Conclusion

When dinner needs to be easy, hearty, and satisfying, this Easy Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet Dinner comes to the rescue. It turns humble ingredients into a delicious one-pan meal the whole family can enjoy. Whether you’re short on time or just want something cozy, this is a dish you’ll return to again and again.

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