Easy One Pan Dirty Cabbage and Ground Beef

Name: Easy One Pan Dirty Cabbage and Ground Beef
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef; 1 small head green cabbage, thinly sliced; 1 onion, diced; 1 bell pepper, chopped; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 can diced tomatoes, 14.5 ounces; 1 teaspoon paprika; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

This hearty one pan meal brings together savory ground beef and tender cabbage for a perfect weeknight dinner.

By Enzo81 Kitchen· American· October 28, 2026

Easy One Pan Dirty Cabbage and Ground Beef

enzo81.xyz

Prep

10 minutes

Cook

25 minutes

Total

35 minutes

Serves

Dirty cabbage is one of those classic recipes that saves the day when you need something quick, filling, and budget friendly. It is comfort food at its finest because the cabbage soaks up all the delicious juices from the beef and tomatoes as it softens.

My best tip for this dish is to make sure you slice your cabbage into uniform strips so it cooks evenly. If you have any leftovers, they taste even better the next day after the flavors have had more time to meld together in the fridge.

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef
1 small head green cabbage, thinly sliced
1 onion, diced
1 bell pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 can diced tomatoes, 14.5 ounces
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon vegetable oil

8Instructions

1
Heat the oil in a large skillet or pot over medium heat.
2
Add the ground beef and cook until it is browned, breaking it up with a spoon as you go.
3
Add the onion and bell pepper to the skillet and cook until they are soft.
4
Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
5
Add the sliced cabbage to the pan. You might need to add it in batches if your pan is crowded.
6
Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juices, then sprinkle in the paprika, salt, and pepper.
7
Cover the pan and let everything simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage is tender.
8
Serve warm as it is or over a bowl of steamed rice.

Tips

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. You can reheat this in the microwave or in a pan on the stove with a splash of water. It also freezes well for quick meals later in the month.

#dinner #ground beef #cabbage #one pan #budget friendly

Made this recipe? Let us know how it went.