One-Pan Unstuffed Cabbage Skillet: A Simple, Hearty Family Dinner

If you enjoy the comforting flavors of cabbage rolls, this easy skillet dinner deserves a spot on your menu. Ground beef, tender cabbage, and a savory tomato sauce come together in one pan, with no stuffing or rolling required.

With just 10 minutes of prep and everyday ingredients, this One-Pan Unstuffed Cabbage Skillet is a practical choice for busy evenings. Serve it with rice, baked potatoes, or bread for a hearty homemade meal.

One-Pan Unstuffed Cabbage Skillet

Servings: 4
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 25–30 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• ½ large head green cabbage, chopped, about 6 cups
• 1 can diced tomatoes, 14½ ounces, undrained
• 1 can tomato sauce, 8 ounces
• ½ cup beef broth
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

1. Brown the beef and onion. In a large, deep skillet with a lid, cook the ground beef and diced onion over medium heat until the beef is browned. Drain any excess grease.
2. Add the garlic. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
3. Combine the ingredients. Add the chopped cabbage, undrained diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
4. Cover and simmer. Bring to a gentle simmer, then cover and reduce the heat to medium-low.
5. Cook until tender. Simmer for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage is tender. Add a splash of broth if the skillet becomes dry.
6. Taste and serve. Adjust the seasoning as needed, then serve warm with your choice of sides.

A Few Simple Tips

• Use a roomy skillet. Six cups of cabbage take up plenty of space before cooking down, so choose a large, deep pan with a lid.
• Chop the cabbage evenly. Similar-sized pieces help it cook evenly.
• Keep the tomato juices. Add the diced tomatoes without draining them—the liquid helps the cabbage simmer.
• Make it tender to your liking. Check the cabbage near the end of cooking and give it a few extra minutes if you prefer it softer.

What to Serve Alongside

Spoon the beef and cabbage mixture over rice, serve it beside a baked potato, or add bread for soaking up the tomato sauce. Each option makes an easy addition to this simple skillet meal.

Comforting dinners don’t have to be complicated. This one-pan recipe brings familiar flavors to the table with a little prep and less cleanup afterward.