Weight Watchers Cabbage and Ground Beef

Some recipes are fancy enough for a special occasion, while others are the ones you make when you just want a warm, filling dinner without a lot of fuss.

This Weight Watchers Cabbage and Ground Beef is definitely one of those recipes.

It’s simple, hearty, flavorful, and surprisingly satisfying. Tender cabbage is cooked with lean ground beef, onions, garlic, and a few everyday seasonings until everything comes together into one cozy skillet meal.

I first made this after a family member suggested trying cabbage and ground beef together for an easy weeknight dinner. I honestly wasn’t expecting it to become such a favorite.

Last weekend, I had one of those days where I was tired and a little stressed, and the last thing I wanted was a complicated recipe with a sink full of dishes. I had some lean ground beef and a head of cabbage sitting in the refrigerator, so I decided to give it a try.

As soon as the onions and beef started browning, the kitchen smelled so good.

I added the cabbage, covered the skillet, and let everything cook down together.

When I finally served it, everyone went back for seconds.

Even the family members who normally aren’t excited about cabbage loved it.

Now it’s one of those meals I make when I need something easy during a busy week, but I also find myself making it on quiet weekends when I’m craving something homemade and comforting.

❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Weight Watchers-friendly

Simple and budget-friendly

High in protein

Naturally low-carb

One-skillet meal

Lots of vegetables

Easy weeknight dinner

Great for meal prep

Family-friendly

Uses inexpensive ingredients

📋 Recipe Information

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Servings: 6

Course: Dinner, Main Dish

Cuisine: American-Inspired

Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

1½ pounds 93% lean ground beef

1 small head green cabbage, chopped

1 medium yellow onion, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, no-salt-added

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon black pepper

½ cup low-sodium beef broth

Cooking spray

Optional Additions

Red pepper flakes

Fresh parsley

Sliced green onions

½ teaspoon onion powder

A dash of hot sauce

Reduced-fat shredded cheddar for serving

🍳 Equipment Needed

Large deep skillet or Dutch oven

Wooden spoon

Cutting board

Sharp knife

Measuring spoons

👩‍🍳 How to Make Weight Watchers Cabbage and Ground Beef

Step 1: Prepare the Cabbage

Remove any tough outer leaves from the cabbage.

Cut the cabbage into quarters, remove the core, and chop it into bite-size pieces.

Don’t worry about making every piece exactly the same size. A rustic chop works perfectly here.

Step 2: Brown the Ground Beef

Heat a large deep skillet over medium-high heat.

Lightly coat it with cooking spray.

Add the lean ground beef and cook for 6–8 minutes, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon.

Continue cooking until the beef is browned and fully cooked.

Drain any excess grease if necessary.

Step 3: Add the Onion and Garlic

Add the diced onion to the skillet.

Cook for about 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion begins to soften.

Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.

At this point, the smell alone will make you hungry.

Step 4: Season the Beef

Add the smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce.

Stir everything together.

Cook for another minute so the seasonings can coat the beef.

Step 5: Add the Cabbage

Add the chopped cabbage to the skillet.

It may look like far too much at first, but don’t worry.

Cabbage cooks down considerably.

Stir it into the beef mixture as much as you can.

Step 6: Add Tomatoes and Broth

Pour in the diced tomatoes and beef broth.

Give everything a good stir.

Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.

Step 7: Cover and Cook

Reduce the heat to medium-low.

Cover the skillet and cook for approximately 12–15 minutes, stirring every few minutes.

The cabbage should become tender but still have a little bite.

If you prefer softer cabbage, cook it for another 5 minutes.

Step 8: Taste and Adjust

Remove the lid and give everything a final stir.

Taste and adjust the seasoning.

Add a little hot sauce or red pepper flakes if you’d like some heat.

Step 9: Serve

Spoon the cabbage and beef into bowls.

Top with fresh parsley or green onions if desired.

For a cheeseburger-inspired twist, sprinkle a small amount of reduced-fat cheddar over each serving.

Serve hot.

💡 Tips for the Best Cabbage and Ground Beef

Use Lean Ground Beef

93% lean beef provides plenty of flavor while keeping the dish lighter.

Chop the Cabbage Bite-Size

Smaller pieces cook more evenly and make the dish easier to eat.

Don’t Worry About the Volume

A whole head of cabbage can look enormous when you first add it. Give it a few minutes and it will shrink considerably.

Don’t Overcook the Cabbage

I prefer cabbage that is tender but still has a little texture.

Taste Before Adding Salt

The Worcestershire sauce and canned tomatoes can already contain sodium, so taste the finished dish before adding more salt.

🌟 Delicious Variations

Cheeseburger Cabbage Skillet

Add reduced-fat cheddar during the final few minutes and let it melt over the top.

Taco Cabbage & Beef

Replace the Italian seasoning with taco seasoning and add a little cumin.

Spicy Cabbage Beef

Add diced jalapeño and red pepper flakes.

Asian-Inspired Cabbage Beef

Use low-sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos instead of Worcestershire sauce and add fresh ginger.

Stuffed Cabbage Bowl

Add a little cooked brown rice to turn this into a deconstructed stuffed cabbage meal.

Turkey and Cabbage

Swap the ground beef for lean ground turkey.

🍽️ What to Serve With It

This is filling enough to serve as a complete meal, but you can pair it with:

Brown rice

Cauliflower rice

Roasted potatoes

Green beans

Garden salad

Steamed broccoli

Whole-grain dinner roll

Corn on the cob

When I make it for my family, I usually serve it straight from the skillet with a simple side salad.

It’s one of those meals that doesn’t need much else.

🥡 Storage Instructions

Refrigerator

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Reheating

Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat or microwave individual portions until hot.

If the mixture seems dry, add a tablespoon or two of beef broth before reheating.

Freezer

Freeze cooled portions in airtight freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months.

Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

The cabbage will be softer after freezing and thawing, but the flavor remains delicious.

📊 Approximate Nutrition Per Serving

Based on 6 servings:

Calories: 350

Protein: 31g

Fat: 20g

Carbohydrates: 13g

Fiber: 4g

Net Carbs: 9g

Sodium: 540mg

Nutrition information is approximate and will vary depending on the exact brands and ingredients used.

⭐ Weight Watchers Points

This recipe is designed with Weight Watchers-friendly ingredients, but the exact Points value depends on your current WW plan and the specific ingredients you use.

For the recipe as written, a reasonable estimate is about 6 WW Points per serving when divided into 6 portions.

For the most accurate Points value, enter the exact ingredients and quantities into your current WW app, especially the ground beef and canned tomatoes.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use ground turkey?

Yes. Lean ground turkey is an excellent substitute for ground beef.

Can I use red or purple cabbage?

Absolutely. Red cabbage will give the dish a slightly different flavor and a beautiful color.

Can I make this with ground chicken?

Yes. Ground chicken works well, although you may want to add a little extra seasoning because it’s milder than beef.

Can I add cheese?

Definitely. A small amount of reduced-fat cheddar makes this taste like a cheeseburger-inspired cabbage skillet.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes. In fact, the leftovers taste even better the next day after the flavors have had time to blend.

Is this low-carb?

Yes. The recipe is relatively low in carbohydrates, with most of the carbs coming from cabbage, onion, and tomatoes.

Can I make it spicy?

Absolutely. Add hot sauce, cayenne, jalapeños, or red pepper flakes.

How do I make the cabbage softer?

Simply cover the skillet and cook for another 5–10 minutes until it reaches your preferred texture.

💚 Final Thoughts

This Weight Watchers Cabbage and Ground Beef recipe is a perfect example of how simple ingredients can make an incredibly comforting dinner.

There is nothing fancy about it, and that’s exactly why I love it.

It’s the kind of meal I make when I’m stressed and need dinner to be easy. It’s also something I enjoy making on weekends when I have a little more time to slow down and enjoy cooking.

After making it for my family last weekend, I was honestly surprised by how much everyone loved it. The skillet was nearly empty, and someone was already asking if there would be leftovers for lunch.

That made me smile.

Sometimes the recipes that become family favorites aren’t the complicated ones. They’re the inexpensive, cozy meals that fill the kitchen with a wonderful smell and bring everyone to the table.