17 Ways to Turn Cabbage into Quick, Healthy Main Dishes

Easy and Quick Halushki
Photo: ReneePaj

We all know cabbage is good for us: loaded with fiber, vitamin C, and phytochemicals that may boost the body's natural detoxing process. It may even have cancer-fighting properties! But cabbage is also just plain good — yummy, time-tested comfort food. Cabbage is at its best in these quick, versatile cabbage recipes. Check out the best cabbage recipes for quick, healthy dinners!

01 of 18

Ms. Angela's Smothered Cabbage

looking into a bowl full of smothered cabbage
France C

Ready in 40 Minutes. This hearty, one-pot meal combines Creole-seasoned ground pork (or beef) with garlic, onions, green peppers, diced tomatoes with green chile peppers, and a whole head of roughly chopped cabbage. "Perfectly seasoned with just a hint of heat," says France C. "A great one pot meal for a busy night!

02 of 18

Cabbage Patch Halibut

Cabbage Patch Halibut
Photo by Chef John.

Ready in 45 minutes. "This is one of easiest and most delicious ways you can cook fish," says Chef John. "The cabbage leaves not only keep the halibut moist, but also hold all your assorted garnishes and seasonings tight against the meat, which creates an even more intensely flavored result. The lovely aroma of cabbage will mask those fishy smells that usually linger in the kitchen. Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves."

03 of 18

Easy and Quick Halushki

Easy and Quick Halushki
Photo by ReneePaj.

Ready in 30 Minutes. You can make haluski, a comforting, hearty Polish dish featuring fried cabbage, bacon, and egg noodles. "Easy and very comforting. I loved the combo of flavors in that simple, good home cooking sort of way," says ONIOND.

04 of 18

Golompke (Beef and Cabbage Casserole)

low angle looking at a serving of Golompke on a plate
Cynthia LaFourcade

Preps in 15 Minutes. In this super-simple recipe, a bag of slaw mix from the produce section mixes it up with ground beef and rice. "A delicious and easy recipe that has the taste of Cabbage Rolls," says Debby Allen.

05 of 18

Cabbage Koora

high angle looking at a plate of cabbage koora
LaKecia Smith

Ready in 30 Minutes. "Very simple yet delicious. I like it so much that sometimes I eat it all by itself, like a salad with some yoghurt on the side. The spice comes from the green chilis," says SUSMITA.

06 of 18

Easy Corned Beef and Cabbage

Easy Corned Beef and Cabbage
Photo by Kraig.

Preps in 15 minutes. Not just for St. Patrick's Day anymore. "This is quick and easy. A no-fuss meal, that's great for a weeknight family dinner," says Trisheee.

07 of 18

Ground Beef and Chopped Cabbage

looking down at a serving of ground beef and chopped cabbage
naples34102

Ready in 45 Minutes. Ground beef, cabbage, and tomatoes combine with red pepper flakes, garlic, and Italian seasoning. "A satisfying meal, nothing fancy, but just good, old-fashioned, home-cooked food," says lutzflcat.

08 of 18

Black Pepper Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry

Black Pepper Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry
Photo by CookinBug.

Ready in 20 Minutes. "Looking for a quick meal? This one is fabulous. I recommend cutting the cabbage very thin," says Laura M.

09 of 18

Spicy Unstuffed Cabbage

looking at a bowl full of spicy unstuffed cabbage
Rock_lobster

Ready in 40 Minutes. Spicy pork sausage and ground beef simmer with cabbage in a vinegary tomato sauce. "This is a huge hit at potluck suppers. It just gets better the next day!" says Valerie.

10 of 18

Vegetables and Cabbage Stir-Fry with Oyster Sauce

looking down at a large skillet of vegetables and cabbage stir-fry with oyster sauce
Elgie

Ready in 20 Minutes. "This is an authentic and simple Chinese recipe for a healthy vegetable dish" says Lynn Wheaton. "It's easy and fast to make."

11 of 18

Cabbage Balushka or Cabbage and Noodles

low angle looking into a serving of cabbage balushka
Nana

Ready in 25 Minutes. "This Hungarian favorite is cabbage, onions, and egg noodles cooked in butter. So easy, so good," says rlecook.

12 of 18

Thai Chicken Cabbage Soup

looking down into a stock pot of Thai chicken and cabbage soup
Angell

Ready in 45 Minutes. "A low-fat, low-cal soup that's incredibly filling and delicious. I eat this at least once a week," says KLEENESTAR.

13 of 18

Savoy Cabbage and Mushrooms

looking down into a bowl of savoy cabbage and mushrooms
Kim

Ready in 30 Minutes. "A simple recipe for savoy cabbage and mushrooms I often make in the fall," says lilifee, "either as a side or as part of a vegetarian meal."

14 of 18

Sheet Pan Sausage and Seasonal Vegetables

Sheet Pan Sausage and Seasonal Vegetables
Sheet Pan Sausage and Seasonal Vegetables. Kim

Red cabbage, sausage, carrots, butternut squash, garlic, and onions roast together on a sheet pan for a quick and easy weeknight dish. "This simple one-dish meal is "ready in about 30 minutes, and is a great way to use up wayward veggies," says theartofsavvy. "Make the recipe your own by substituting favorite or seasonal vegetables any time of year."

15 of 18

Hearty Cabbage Roll Soup

Hearty Cabbage Roll Soup
CookingwithShelia

Ready in less than an hour. "If you like stuffed cabbage rolls you're going to love this cabbage roll soup! It's hearty, packed with flavor, goes great with cornbread, and easy to make," says CookingWithShelia.

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Instant Pot Vegan Cabbage Detox Soup

Instant Pot(R) Vegan Cabbage Detox Soup
Photo by Fioa.

"This simple vegan cabbage soup is perfect for a detox diet," says Fioa. "It's a tasty no-fuss recipe that takes 30 minutes to make in your Instant Pot®."

17 of 18

Chicken Yaki Udon

looking down into a bowl of chicken yaki udon
Diana71

Ready in 30 Minutes. Shredded cabbage, bell peppers, carrots, garlic, and onions combine with strips of boneless, skinless chicken breast meat and udon noodles in this simple dish! "This delicious stir-fry is similar to yakisoba, but is made with thick, white udon noodles and tossed with a much simpler sauce," says Diana71.

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