Introduction
This ground beef cabbage recipe is a wonderfully comforting and surprisingly easy dish that masterfully brings together hearty ingredients in a delicious way. It’s an excellent choice for a satisfying family dinner or a quick and convenient meal during the busy week. This recipe combines the savory flavor of ground beef with the subtle sweetness of cabbage, creating a balanced and nutritious meal that everyone will enjoy. It’s a straightforward and dependable recipe that will quickly become a favorite in your household for its simplicity and incredible taste. It offers a perfect balance of savory flavors.
Why Make This Recipe
This ground beef and cabbage recipe is exceptional because it’s incredibly simple to prepare while still providing a deeply satisfying meal. It uses basic, affordable ingredients that you likely already have in your kitchen, making it both economical and delicious. This easy recipe makes it a great choice when you are on a budget. Plus, it’s a convenient one-pot meal, which means less cleanup is required after enjoying a tasty dinner with the family, making it a perfect meal for busy weeknights. The easy preparation and minimal cleanup make it a weeknight cooking winner.
How to Make Ground Beef and Cabbage
Ingredients:
- 1 small head of cabbage, chopped
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 ½ lbs. ground beef
- 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
- 2 tsp. minced garlic
- 2 cans diced tomatoes
- 1 can tomato sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- Add the ground beef and onion to a deep-sided saucepan over medium-high heat on the stove. Sauté until the meat is browned and the onion is softened. Drain any excess fat.
- Place the Italian seasoning and minced garlic into the saucepan, and sauté for another 30 seconds.
- Mix the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and cabbage into the saucepan along with salt and pepper to taste. Stir to combine.
- Cover and simmer for 25-30 minutes until the cabbage has softened.
- Enjoy!
How to Serve Ground Beef and Cabbage
Serve this ground beef and cabbage dish hot, straight from the pot, for the most satisfying experience. It pairs perfectly with a side of warm, crusty bread or a fluffy bed of rice, providing a great way to soak up all the delicious juices. For an extra layer of flavor, you can top it with some shredded cheese, like cheddar or mozzarella, or sprinkle it with fresh herbs, such as parsley or dill. These simple additions will elevate the dish and make it even more enjoyable. This ensures your meal looks and tastes even better, making each serving extra special.
How to Store Ground Beef and Cabbage
To store any leftover ground beef and cabbage, allow the dish to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. The refrigerated leftovers will last for about 3 to 4 days, making it a great option for quick and easy meals later in the week. For longer storage, you can freeze it for up to 3 months, allowing you to enjoy this comforting dish even after a longer period of time. These simple storage steps ensure that the flavor and quality of your leftovers remain at their best. This method of storage ensures that you will always have something ready for a quick and easy meal.
Tips to Make Ground Beef and Cabbage
- For added flavor, you can sauté the onions until golden before adding the beef.
- Feel free to add other veggies like bell peppers or carrots for extra nutrition.
- Adjust the seasoning to your taste—add a bit of hot sauce if you like some heat!
Variation
For a lighter alternative, you can easily make this ground beef and cabbage recipe with ground turkey or chicken. These substitutions offer a leaner protein option without sacrificing the flavor or heartiness of the dish. You can also enhance the recipe by adding some beans, such as kidney or black beans, for an added boost of protein and a delightful textural element. These simple additions not only make the dish more nutritious but also offer a great way to personalize this recipe and customize it to your own taste preferences. These changes can make the dish fit any specific diet or preference that you might have.
FAQs
- Is beef and cabbage good for you?Yes, beef and cabbage are a healthy combination. Ground beef provides protein and iron, while cabbage is low in calories and rich in fiber, vitamins C and K, and antioxidants. Together, they create a balanced and nutritious meal.
- Why do you soak cabbage before cooking?Soaking cabbage in cold water before cooking is a helpful step that significantly enhances the final dish. This simple technique helps to crisp up the leaves, making them more refreshing and adding a delightful texture to your meals. It also serves as a way to remove any dirt, lingering pests, or any unwanted bitterness that might be present in the cabbage. By taking a few extra minutes to soak it, you’re ensuring a cleaner, crisper, and more enjoyable cabbage, ready to be used in your favorite recipes. This ensures the quality and improves the taste of your final dish.
- Can you cook ground beef and veggies in the same pan?Absolutely! Cooking ground beef and vegetables in the same pan is a convenient and flavorful method. Sauté the beef first, then add the veggies to absorb the juices and seasonings for a one-pan meal.
- Why do you put vinegar in cabbage when boiling it?Adding vinegar to boiling cabbage is a smart cooking technique that offers several benefits. A splash of vinegar helps to retain the cabbage’s vibrant color, preventing it from becoming dull or unappetizing during the cooking process. It also effectively reduces the strong odor that can sometimes develop when cooking cabbage, making your kitchen more pleasant. Moreover, the slight acidity of the vinegar enhances the cabbage’s flavor, giving the dish a subtle and delightful tang that complements the other ingredients, adding a new dimension to your recipe. This simple addition will elevate your cabbage dish.
In conclusion, this ground beef cabbage recipe is a wonderfully comforting, easy, and versatile dish that’s perfect for any weeknight meal. Its simple preparation and economical ingredients make it a convenient option for busy families. The recipe is easily customizable, allowing you to add different proteins like ground turkey or chicken, or boost the nutrients with beans. Whether you serve it as is, or with your own preferred addition, it is a delicious one-pot dish that requires minimal cleanup. The leftovers can also be frozen for an even easier dinner option later. Enjoy the simple, hearty, and customizable nature of this delightful ground beef and cabbage recipe.