Cajun Cabbage and Noodles with Sausage is a hearty one pot dinner of ground beef, smoked sausage, bell peppers, and tender cabbage simmered in a Cajun seasoned broth, then tossed with noodles. It comes out rich, smoky, a little spicy, and genuinely filling, and it tastes even better the next day once everything has had time to settle.
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Dirty Cabbage and Noodles Recipe
This one leans on the same Cajun flavor base as a good dirty rice, sausage, beef, and a real hit of seasoning, just built around cabbage and noodles instead of rice. Browning the sausage and beef first builds a deep, savory base for the pot, and a splash of apple cider vinegar stirred in at the end keeps the whole thing from feeling heavy.
Everything cooks in one pot, and it is the kind of dinner that is just as good, maybe better, reheated the next day.
Ingredients
- Egg noodles - or fusilli, cooked separately and stirred in near the end.
- Ground sirloin and smoked sausage - browned in stages so both build real flavor in the pot.
- Red and yellow bell pepper, onion, garlic - the aromatic base that softens before the seasoning goes in.
- Tomato paste, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika - what gives this its rich, smoky depth.
- Green cabbage - cut into strips and simmered until tender in the seasoned broth.
- Chicken broth and apple cider vinegar - broth for the simmer, vinegar stirred in at the end to balance the richness.
- Green onions - for serving, a fresh finish on top.
Julia's Tip
Do not rush browning the sausage and beef. Those browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pot are where most of the flavor in this dish comes from, and they get scraped up and worked back in once the vegetables and broth go in.
If you like this Cajun flavor profile, my one pot dirty rice uses a similar sausage and seasoning base, just built around rice instead of cabbage.
How To Make Dirty Cabbage and Noodles - Step By Step Photos
- Cook the noodles in a pot of boiling salted water according to the package directions.
- Heat the olive oil in a large cast iron pot or deep skillet over medium high heat. Add the sausage and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- Add the ground beef to the pot and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through. Return the sausage to the pot.
- Lower the heat to medium and add the onion and bell peppers. Cook about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they start to soften.
- Add the garlic, tomato paste, Cajun seasoning, and smoked paprika. Cook about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
- Add the cabbage and stir to coat it in the seasonings. Pour in the chicken broth, stir, cover, and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Lower the heat to medium low and cook, covered, for 20 to 25 minutes, until the cabbage is tender. Stir in the cooked noodles.
- Stir in the apple cider vinegar and salt, taste and adjust, then garnish with green onions before serving.
For another cabbage and sausage combination, my sausage cabbage stir fry is a quicker, skillet only version.
What To Serve With Dirty Cabbage and Noodles
- Crusty bread or cornbread to mop up the broth
- A simple green salad to balance the richness
- Hot sauce on the table for anyone who wants more heat
Tips
- Brown in stages, not all at once. Cooking the sausage first, then the beef, builds more flavor than dumping everything in together.
- Cut the cabbage evenly. Quarter inch strips cook at close to the same rate, so you avoid a mix of mushy and crunchy pieces.
- Do not skip the vinegar. It is a small amount but it cuts through the richness of the sausage and beef in a way that is easy to notice once it is missing.
- Cook the noodles while the cabbage simmers. Timing it this way means less waiting overall.
Variations
- Make it spicier. Add a pinch of cayenne along with the Cajun seasoning, or top with hot sauce.
- Swap the noodles. Rice or mashed potatoes work in place of noodles if that is what you have.
- Use ground turkey. A leaner swap for the sirloin, the sausage still carries plenty of flavor.
- Make it gluten free. Use your favorite gluten free noodles and check your sausage and Cajun seasoning blend.
Can I Make This Ahead Of Time?
Yes, and it is genuinely better the next day once the flavors have had time to meld. Make the full recipe, cool it, and store it in the fridge. Reheat gently on the stove, adding a splash of broth if it has thickened up.
What Kind Of Sausage Works Best?
Andouille is the classic choice for the Cajun flavor, but any good smoked sausage works. Kielbasa is a milder, widely available option if andouille is hard to find near you.
How To Store Dirty Cabbage and Noodles
- To Store. Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- To Reheat. Warm on the stove over medium low heat, adding a splash of broth or water if it has thickened. The microwave works for single portions.
- To Freeze. Freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. The noodles soften a bit more after freezing, but the flavor holds up well.
More Cozy One Pot Dinners You'll Love
Before You Head Out
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Recipe Card
Dirty Cabbage and Noodles with Sausage
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Cook the noodles in a pot of boiling salted water according to the package directions.8 ounces egg noodles
- Heat the olive oil in a large cast iron pot or deep skillet over medium high heat. Add the sausage and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Remove it and set aside.1 tablespoon olive oil, 10 ounces smoked sausage
- Add the ground beef to the same pot and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through. Return the sausage to the pot.1 pound lean ground beef
- Lower the heat to medium and add the onion, red bell pepper, and yellow bell pepper. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables start to soften.½ large yellow onion, 1 medium red bell pepper, 1 medium yellow bell pepper
- Add the garlic, tomato paste, Cajun seasoning, and smoked paprika. Cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant and well combined.3 cloves garlic, 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning, ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Add the cabbage and stir until it is evenly coated in the seasonings. Pour in the chicken broth, stir, cover, and bring to a gentle simmer.1 small green cabbage head, 1 cup chicken broth
- Lower the heat to medium low and cook, covered, for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage is tender. Stir in the cooked noodles.8 ounces egg noodles
- Stir in the apple cider vinegar and salt. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed, then garnish with sliced green onions before serving.
Nutrition
Notes
- Brown the sausage and beef well: this is where most of the flavor in the whole dish comes from.
- Cut the cabbage into even strips: it helps the whole head cook at the same rate.
- Do not skip the apple cider vinegar: it balances the richness of the sausage and beef and brightens the whole dish.
- Storage: keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. It tastes even better the next day once the flavors settle.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on the products used.
Full Nutrition Disclaimer can be found here.
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