Easy Slow Cooker Poor Man Cabbage and Macaroni

This slow cooker poor man cabbage and macaroni is the type of meal I am always looking for when I am on a tight budget. It is super hearty and fills your house with the most incredible savory scent all day. In fact, it is basically a hug in a bowl for your family.

The cabbage is slowly cooking in the slow cooker so you can make this in the morning after breakfast. Then, at dinnertime, add the noodles and you have a thick savory dinner. There is very little prep work so you can spend more time relaxing after a long day.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

This easy, budget friendly recipe is savory and delicious. As the cabbage slowly cooks it breaks down and becomes sweet and tender. It also melts into the seasoned broth making it incredibly flavorful. The elbow macaroni adds a nice chewy texture that makes each bite delicious.

And the best part is how easy it is to clean up at the end of the night. Since it is all made in the slow cooker, there are no pots to wash or dishes piled up. It is the perfect meal to make on a busy weeknight when you just want a hearty dinner without a big mess.

The Ingredients

Here are all the ingredients you will need to make this easy meal: ground beef, green cabbage, yellow onion, minced garlic, diced tomatoes, beef broth, elbow macaroni, salt and black pepper.

Green Cabbage

The green cabbage is what makes this recipe so comforting because it becomes so sweet and tender during the cooking process. You want to chop it into small pieces so that it melts into the savory broth and doesn’t get too stringy. If you don’t have green cabbage, you can use savoy cabbage instead which is slightly less dense but still cooks down nicely.

Ground Beef

Browned ground beef gives this recipe a rich and savory flavor while also keeping it affordable. Be sure to drain off the excess fat before you add the beef to the slow cooker to avoid a greasy broth. For something a little different, you could swap the ground beef for sliced smoked sausage or ground turkey and the dish would still be just as tasty!

Elbow Macaroni

Dry elbow macaroni is great for scooping up the yummy diced tomatoes and cabbage. Stirring it into the hot broth at the end of the cooking time will help the noodles get plump, but won’t turn to mush. You can also use small shells or ditalini instead.

How to Make It

Here’s a step by step guide on how easy this slow cooker dinner is to make!

Brown the Beef

In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef, yellow onion and minced garlic until meat is browned. Drain the fat from the skillet.

Load the Slow Cooker

Add the meat mixture to the bottom of a large slow cooker insert. Add the chopped green cabbage, diced tomatoes with their juice, beef broth, salt and black pepper.

Simmer and Soften

Stir everything together, cover with the lid, and cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours, until the cabbage is very soft.

Add the Pasta

About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the dry elbow macaroni, cover and cook on high until the pasta is cooked and most of the liquid is absorbed.

My Best Tips for Success

Chop the cabbage evenly so that it all cooks at the same rate. I find it makes it a lot easier to enjoy, if there isn’t a crunchy bite.

Don’t add the dry elbow macaroni to the pot at the start of the cooking time or it will become mushy. You want to wait until the last 30 minutes of cooking time, so the noodles can absorb the broth and get cooked perfectly al dente.

For a richer taste, stir in a pat of butter or a handful of grated parmesan cheese when you serve. You can also add a dash of crushed red pepper to the beef while browning to give it a little kick.

Storage and Reheating

• To Store: Allow the leftover cabbage and pasta to fully cool before placing it in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
• To Freeze: You can freeze this recipe in an airtight container for up to 2 months; however, the macaroni may be a little mushy after thawing.
• To Reheat: Heat gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat, adding a little beef broth if the macaroni has absorbed all the liquid.

What to Serve with This Meal

• Crusty, warm French bread for dipping in the broth.
• A light green salad with a tangy vinaigrette dressing.
• Soft, buttery, homemade biscuits.
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this vegetarian?

Yes! Simply leave out the ground beef and substitute vegetable broth for the beef broth. The cabbage and tomatoes alone have plenty of flavor.

Can I use a different meat?

Yes! If you don’t have ground beef, sliced smoked kielbasa or ground turkey also works well. Be sure to brown the meat first for the best results.

Why is my pasta crunchy?

If your macaroni is still hard after 30 minutes, your slow cooker may not be hot enough. Make sure your slow cooker is set on HIGH and cook for an additional 10 to 15 minutes.