Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet in 20 Minutes Recipe
A quick and hearty Ground Beef and Cabbage skillet meal ready in just 20 minutes. This savory dish combines lean ground beef with tender cabbage, sweet carrots, onions, and a rich tomato-based sauce, flavored with paprika and simmered to perfection. Perfect for an easy and nutritious weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Mixture
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2–3 tablespoon vegetable oil for cooking
Vegetable Mixture
- 1 medium to large onion, chopped
- 1 medium carrot, grated or julienned
- ½ of a medium cabbage, chopped
Sauce & Seasoning
- 3 tablespoon tomato sauce or paste
- ½ cup beef broth or vegetable broth
- 1 ½ teaspoon paprika (regular or smoked)
Instructions
- Cook the ground beef: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the lean ground beef, seasoning it with salt and pepper to taste. Cook until the beef is browned and cooked through, then drain any excess fat and set the beef aside.
- Sauté vegetables: In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and cook until translucent. Add the grated or julienned carrot and continue cooking until the carrot softens, stirring occasionally.
- Add sauce and broth: Stir in the tomato sauce or paste along with the beef or vegetable broth (or a bouillon cube dissolved in water), then let the mixture simmer for 2-3 minutes to combine the flavors.
- Cook the cabbage: Add the chopped cabbage into the skillet with salt, pepper, and paprika. Stir well to evenly distribute the seasonings. Cover with a lid and allow the cabbage to simmer, stirring occasionally, until it becomes soft or reaches your preferred level of tenderness.
- Combine and serve: Return the cooked beef to the skillet, stir everything together to combine. Optionally garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or chives. Serve hot for a comforting meal.
- Optional doneness tip: For a slight crunch in the cabbage, cook it only until partially wilted. For softer cabbage, continue cooking until fully tender.
Notes
- You can substitute vegetable broth for beef broth to make the dish lighter or vegetarian-friendly (omit the beef in that case).
- For a smoky flavor, use smoked paprika.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper according to taste.
- Serve with rice or crusty bread for a complete meal.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
Keywords: ground beef and cabbage, quick dinner, easy skillet recipe, paprika beef cabbage, weeknight meal
