Cabbage Roll Skillet: A Hearty One-Pan Meal for Busy Weeknights
This Cabbage Roll Skillet recipe brings all the comforting flavors of traditional stuffed cabbage rolls without the fuss of rolling individual leaves. Imagine tender cabbage simmered with savory ground beef, aromatic onions, and garlic in a rich tomato sauce – all cooked to perfection in one skillet. This deconstructed version captures the essence of the classic dish while saving you time and effort in the kitchen.
Perfect for busy weeknights, this hearty meal combines budget-friendly ingredients with robust flavors that will satisfy the whole family. The cabbage becomes meltingly tender while absorbing the delicious tomato sauce, creating layers of flavor in every bite. Whether you’re craving comfort food or need a nutritious one-pan dinner, this Cabbage Roll Skillet delivers on taste, convenience, and wholesome ingredients.
Quick Recipe Highlights
- Flavor Profile: Savory ground beef with sweet cabbage and tangy tomato sauce creates a perfectly balanced dish with depth of flavor.
- Texture: Tender-crisp cabbage contrasts beautifully with the soft meat and rich sauce for a satisfying mouthfeel.
- Aroma: The combination of sautéed onions, garlic, and simmering tomatoes will fill your kitchen with an irresistible fragrance.
- Visual Appeal: Vibrant red tomato sauce with flecks of green cabbage and browned meat makes for an appetizing presentation.
- Skill Level Needed: Beginner-friendly with simple chopping and sautéing techniques anyone can master.
- Special Equipment: Just a large skillet with a lid – no special tools required.
Recipe Overview
- Difficulty Level: This recipe earns its “easy” rating through straightforward preparation and common cooking techniques. The most challenging aspect is properly cooking the cabbage to tender perfection without overcooking.
- Category: Hearty main dish that works equally well for family dinners or casual entertaining.
- Cuisine: Inspired by Eastern European stuffed cabbage traditions with modern American convenience adaptations.
- Cost: Budget-friendly at approximately $1.50 per serving using common pantry staples.
- Season: Excellent year-round but particularly comforting in cooler months when cabbage is at its peak.
- Occasion: Ideal for weeknight meals, potlucks, or anytime you need substantial comfort food.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
The Cabbage Roll Skillet delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort. Unlike traditional cabbage rolls that require tedious assembly, this version simplifies the process while maintaining all the beloved flavors. The cabbage becomes infused with the savory tomato sauce as it simmers, creating layers of flavor in every bite. This dish proves that comfort food doesn’t need to be complicated or time-consuming to be delicious.
From a convenience standpoint, this one-pan wonder means less cleanup after dinner. Everything cooks together in a single skillet, allowing flavors to meld beautifully while you attend to other tasks. The recipe is also highly adaptable – swap the ground beef for turkey or plant-based alternatives, adjust the seasonings to your taste, or add extra vegetables for more nutrition.
Nutritionally, this dish offers a great balance of protein, fiber, and vitamins. Cabbage provides vitamin C, K, and fiber, while the lean ground beef contributes iron and protein. The tomato-based sauce adds lycopene, an antioxidant with numerous health benefits. It’s a meal that satisfies your comfort food cravings while providing real nutritional value.
For entertaining, this skillet meal scales easily to feed a crowd and holds well for potlucks or family gatherings. The rustic presentation is inviting, and the familiar flavors appeal to a wide range of palates. Serve it with crusty bread or over mashed potatoes for an especially hearty meal that will have guests asking for seconds.
Cost-conscious cooks will appreciate how this recipe stretches affordable ingredients into a satisfying meal. Cabbage and ground beef offer excellent value, and pantry staples like canned tomatoes and basic seasonings keep the per-serving cost low. This makes the Cabbage Roll Skillet an excellent choice for budget meal planning without sacrificing flavor or nutrition.
The Recipe
Cabbage Roll Skillet
Serves: 4
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Kitchen Equipment Needed
- Large skillet with lid (12-inch preferred)
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Chef’s knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef (90/10)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small head green cabbage, chopped (about 6 cups)
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
- 1 cup beef or vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional garnish)
Directions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned (about 5 minutes). Drain excess fat if needed.
- Add diced onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add chopped cabbage to the skillet and stir to combine. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cabbage begins to wilt.
- Pour in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes (with juices), paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
- Sprinkle uncooked rice evenly over the mixture, then pour in broth. Do not stir after adding rice and broth.
- Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 20 minutes or until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
- Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes. Fluff gently with a fork to distribute rice throughout the dish.
- Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve warm.
Recipe Notes
- For a vegetarian version, substitute the ground beef with plant-based crumbles or lentils.
- Brown rice can be used instead of white rice but will require additional cooking time and liquid.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and reheat beautifully.
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a splash of Worcestershire sauce.