Cabbage Roll Skillet (Easy Keto Ground Beef Dinner Recipe)
Short, Catchy Intro
So you are craving something tasty but too lazy to spend forever in the kitchen huh? Same. This Cabbage Roll Skillet is the perfect compromise between effort and reward. It tastes like a cozy stuffed cabbage without the rolling drama.
If you like quick, meaty dinners that actually feel like a hug, you might also enjoy my spin on 20-minute Thai basil beef rolls for another weeknight win.
Why This Recipe is Awesome
This recipe hits all the right notes. It is fast, low fuss, and full of comfort food vibes. No foil-wrapped mysteries, no tiny hands of patience gently rolling cabbage leaves like you are crafting a paper crane.
It is basically idiot-proof. Brown the beef, simmer the cabbage, melt the cheese, eat the cheese. Even if you get distracted by a text or a cat, this skillet forgives you. Also keto-friendly if you skip the rice, but also totally comforting with rice if you are feeling rebellious.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 yellow onion ((chopped))
- 1 bell pepper ((chopped))
- 1 small head of cabbage ((cored & chopped))
- 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 2 tsp Tony Chachere’s creole seasoning ((*see notes))
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
A few notes here: Tony Chachere’s adds bold flavor but swap it if you prefer something milder. The cabbage shrinks way down, so don’t fear that whole head.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Brown the beef in a large skillet over medium heat. Remove excess fat if there is more than a few tablespoons. A little extra fat is ok.
- Add the chopped onion and bell pepper and continue to cook for 3-4 minutes. Let them soften and get a little sweet.
- Stir in the cabbage, diced tomatoes and all seasoning to the pan with the ground beef. Cover with a lid and cook for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Do a taste test and season with additional salt or seasoning if needed. Adjust to your mood.
- Sprinkle the cheese over top and cover again until the cheese is melted. Gooey is the goal.
- Enjoy alone or with rice!
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Thinking you can skip browning the beef. That caramelized beef is flavor central. Do not skip it.
- Overloading the pan with cabbage raw. It looks like a mountain but it wilts. Give it the space to shrink and cook.
- Skipping the taste test. Seasoning varies. Taste and tweak, people.
- Using the wrong cheese. If you use that block of mystery "cheese product" we do not need to talk about it. Real cheddar melts better and tastes better.
- Covering the pan forever. You want the cabbage tender not mushy. Check it around 20 minutes.
Alternatives & Substitutions
Want to mix things up? Go ahead. Swap ground beef for ground turkey or ground pork if you like lighter flavors. If you need to make this vegetarian, use crumbled tempeh or a firm plant-based ground and add a splash of soy or tamari for depth.
No Tony Chachere’s on hand? Use a teaspoon of smoked paprika plus a pinch of cayenne and a bit of oregano. Not into cheddar? Pepper jack brings heat, mozzarella brings melty bliss. If you want a rice alternative try cauliflower rice for a low carb plate.
Also if you are feeding kids, tone down the paprika and sneak in extra veggies. For a heartier version, stir in cooked rice or try it layered like a casserole; I once combined this idea with my go-to burrito bowl with ground beef flavors for a fiesta twist. IMO this skillet plays nice with lots of swaps.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q. Can I use leaner beef to reduce grease?
A. Sure. Use 90 10 or 93 7 if you want less fat. You may need a splash of oil to keep the pan happy while browning.
Q. Can I freeze leftovers?
A. Yes. Cool completely, portion into airtight containers, and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat gently.
Q. Do I have to use canned tomatoes?
A. Nope. Fresh chopped tomatoes work fine. If they are very watery, drain a bit or simmer longer so the dish does not end up soupy.
Q. Can I make this spicy?
A. Want it spicy? Add crushed red pepper, hot sauce, or swap in a spicy sausage. Do it. Bring the heat.
Q. Is this keto friendly?
A. Totally. Skip the rice and serve as is. The cabbage plus beef plus cheese is a solid low carb plate.
Q. How do I know when the cabbage is done?
A. You want it tender but not falling apart. A fork should slide through after 20 to 25 minutes. If it still feels crunchy, cook a few minutes more.
Q. Can I add other veggies like carrots or zucchini?
A. Yes but note that carrots do not love the 20 minute single-skirting unless grated. Zucchini cooks fast and can turn mushy. Add judiciously.
Final Thoughts
This Cabbage Roll Skillet is the kind of recipe that saves evenings. It is satisfying, forgiving, and quick enough for a weeknight and tasty enough for company. Use a big skillet so everything cooks evenly, and remember to taste and tweak at the end.
Now go impress someone or yourself with your new culinary skills. You have earned it. Want a fancy variation later? Try layering this mix with rice and baking for a casserole night.
Conclusion
If you want a similar keto friendly spin on unstuffed cabbage that is quick and delicious check out this helpful recipe for additional inspiration Keto Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls Skillet (Quick & Delicious).
Print
Cabbage Roll Skillet
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Keto-friendly
Description
A delicious and quick dinner option that combines the comforting flavors of stuffed cabbage without the hassle of rolling cabbage leaves.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 1 small head of cabbage, cored & chopped
- 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 2 tsp Tony Chachere’s creole seasoning
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Brown the beef in a large skillet over medium heat. Remove excess fat if there is more than a few tablespoons.
- Add the chopped onion and bell pepper and continue to cook for 3-4 minutes until softened.
- Stir in the cabbage, diced tomatoes, and all seasoning to the pan with the ground beef. Cover and cook for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Do a taste test and season with additional salt or seasoning if needed.
- Sprinkle cheese over top and cover again until the cheese is melted.
- Enjoy alone or with rice!
Notes
Feel free to swap ground beef for turkey or pork, and adjust seasonings to your taste. This dish can be made keto-friendly by omitting rice.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: cabbage roll, skillet meal, quick dinner, comfort food
