Cabbage Ground Beef and Rice
This cabbage ground beef and rice recipe is a hearty, budget-friendly one-pan dinner made with tender cabbage, savory ground beef, fluffy rice, and simple seasonings. It’s comforting, filling, and perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or cozy family dinners—and it tastes even better the next day.
Ingredients
- Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef 80/20 for best flavor
- ½ large green cabbage chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup white or long-grain rice rinsed and drained
- 1 medium onion finely diced
- Flavor Base & Seasonings
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup tomato sauce or diced tomatoes
- Pantry Staples
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 cups beef broth or water
Instructions
- Prep Ingredients
- Chop cabbage into bite-sized pieces.
- Dice onion and mince garlic.
- Rinse rice and drain well.
- Cook the Base
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet or deep pan over medium heat.
- Add onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened.
- Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Brown the Beef
- Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks.
- Season with salt, black pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning.
- Add Cabbage
- Stir in chopped cabbage and cook for 5 minutes, stirring often, until slightly softened.
- Add Rice & Liquid
- Stir in rice, tomato sauce, and beef broth.
- Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low.
- Simmer
- Cover and simmer for 18–20 minutes, until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
- Rest & Serve
- Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes.
- Fluff gently with a fork and adjust seasoning if needed.
Notes
- Cut cabbage into smaller pieces for even cooking.
- Keep heat low while simmering so the rice cooks without burning.
- Add a splash of broth if rice needs extra moisture near the end.