Whenever I’m at a loss for what to make for dinner, I know I can count on a head of cabbage. Whether it’s red, green, or any other variety, these dense leafy brassicas are typically on the cheaper side. Not only are they great for budget-friendly grocery shopping and cooking, but they pack a lot of nutrients and flavor.
Sautéed cabbage is a rich, hearty blank slate for all sorts of flavor combinations, transcending cuisines and is amenable to all sorts of cooking levels and styles. Paired with potatoes, pasta, soup, and proteins, we’ve rounded up all the best cheap cabbage dinners to try—you just might find your new favorite comfort meal!
Cabbage Roll Casserole
“My cabbage roll casserole has all the ingredients of stuffed cabbage rolls but is a lot easier to make!” says recipe creator BUCHKO. “This basic recipe will appeal to everyone but if you prefer more flavor, consider adding crushed garlic, paprika, thyme, or cayenne pepper.”
Healing Cabbage Soup
“Excellent. Perfect soup for when you don’t feel well, or if you are sick. Immune boosting and enough flavor to give satisfaction without over doing it.” —ladyjules
Old World Cabbage Soup
lutzflcat
“Excellent soup and very versatile. I made it exactly the way recipe calls for and it was delicious. My husband loved cabbage soup growing up and this was exactly the way he remembered it. I cannot wait to make it again and try variations, i.e. add meat, other vegetables.” –kathymac
Cabbage Roll Soup
Allrecipes / Qi Ai
“I made this cabbage roll soup after having a craving for cabbage rolls but no time to make them,” says Lillian S. “This is a nourishing, hearty soup. So simple to make and the amount of cabbage can be adjusted to your liking. Serve piping hot with crusty bread or garlic toast.”
Stuffed Cabbage Soup
“I have been making stuffed cabbage soup for a long time! I was searching for a recipe to pass on to others because I cook by instinct and taste. Yours was the best!” —LindaB
Cabbage Beef Soup
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
“My husband loves this soup. It’s hearty and a wonderful way to use cabbage. It’s going to be a regular on my winter menu.” —Nonna Birdi
Halupki (Stuffed Cabbage)
“This stuffed cabbage recipe, known as halupki on the Ukrainian side of my family, is made with beef, pork, and rice encased in cabbage and drizzled with a thin, sweet tomato sauce,” says recipe creator Jillian. “Leftovers freeze well—if you have any! My grandma Eugenia taught me how to make this. Every family has their own twist on this traditional dish. Enjoy with mashed potatoes just as we always do in my family!”
Fried Cabbage and Kielbasa
“I make this weekly as my husband and I love it,” says JanW. “I used to make Colcannon, an Irish dish adding the fried cabbage to mashed potatoes. Now that we’re older and only eat small meals, I make this the day after a pot roast or roast chicken dinner and just add some of the leftover mash to our plates…Its the perfect meal!!”
Unstuffed Cabbage Roll
“Wow!!! Let me say that this recipe is very easy and delicious!!! It makes enough to add it to everything beyond the main meal. The leftovers can be used in so many ways! I even used it as a home made pizza topping and it came out great.” —Misty Mountain
Haluski (Cabbage & Noodles)
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
“This is a great ‘Quick and Easy’ Haluski recipe, similar to what Mom make for us growing up. Sure, the noodles aren’t made from scratch… but in all its buttery cabbagy goodness, its a fast dinner or side dish to prepare.” —Matt Freyman
Ground Beef and Cabbage
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
“This ground beef and cabbage recipe was my mother’s. She was a country cook, plain and simple. But as I have traveled and worked and experienced foods from around the world, I look back and realize that many of the dishes she prepared, while simple, were perfect for that moment. Sometimes we have to put emotion and love in a dish to make it extra-special.” —mtgraham2
Grandma Elaine’s Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls
“This unstuffed cabbage rolls with meatballs stew is a family heirloom recipe that has been handed down through the generations. My mother taught it to me, and I tweaked it to its current form. I have eaten all kinds of stuffed cabbage, and this comforting, sweet and sour recipe beats them all.” —Chef Daddy Pete
Fried Cabbage and Egg Noodles
“This is a German recipe for fried cabbage and noodles that belonged to my grandmother,” says recipe creator judi. “It’s cabbage that is lightly browned in butter and tossed with egg noodles for a wonderful, hearty, and fast dish.”
Sweet and Spicy Pork and Napa Cabbage Stir-Fry with Spicy Noodles
“I was looking for a recipe to use some pork tenderloin strips I had in the freezer. I hit the jackpot. I took this over to a casual family dinner and they said it was the best stir fry they had ever had.” —Kathy N
Irish Bacon and Cabbage Soup
“This is one of my favorites. I make it every year for our St. Patty’s Day dinner club. I use pancetta sliced as thick as the deli can do it and then cubed… It’s a big hit every year.” —BOOM642
Instant Pot Southern Cabbage
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
“PERFECT!!! This was the first time I’ve ever done a good cabbage – using this recipe!! My family really enjoyed it, nothing but the sound of forks scraping the plates!” —Cwhitt
Ethiopian Cabbage Dish
“I loved this recipe. Vegan. I took a suggestion in the comments and doubled all of the spices plus I added an Ethiopian spice called Berbere to give it some heat,” says Coco. “This was a healthy, nutrient-dense recipe. I had it as an entree. Enjoy.”
Black Pepper Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry
“Delishish, inexpensive, and easy!!!The corn starch thickening was a very nice touch.I was timid with the black pepper–only used about 3/4th of quantity suggested. Next time I’ll use the full amount!!!!!” —Loretta Rivard
Mennonite Cabbage Potato Kielbasa Bake
fabeveryday
“My husband and son loved this recipe! It was so good during a cold winter day. It was warm, tasty, and comforting. I didn’t think my son would like the cabbage, but he told me this meal was one of his favorite dishes so far!” —AquaBagel3250