Layer chopped cabbage on top of raw ground beef, together with 3 ingredients, into slow cooker for a cozy meal that's always a yes in my house

This slow cooker 5-ingredient Amish cabbage patch stew is the kind of cozy, no-fuss meal I lean on during busy weeks. It’s inspired by simple Amish-style cooking—humble ingredients, layered and left to simmer low and slow until everything tastes like it’s been tended all day. You literally layer raw ground beef in the bottom of the slow cooker, pile chopped cabbage on top, add just three more pantry-friendly ingredients, and walk away. By dinner, you’ve got a hearty, family-friendly stew that fills the house with the kind of smell that brings everyone into the kitchen asking when it’s time to eat.

I like to serve this cabbage patch stew in big bowls with warm buttered bread or dinner rolls to soak up the broth. A simple green salad or sliced cucumbers with ranch on the side keeps things fresh and balances the richness. If your crew likes a heartier plate, spoon the stew over mashed potatoes or buttered egg noodles. A little shredded cheddar or a dollop of sour cream on top can make it feel extra cozy, especially on cold nights.

Servings: 6

1 1/2 pounds ground beef (80–90% lean), raw

Set a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker on the counter. Make sure the insert is in place and lightly coat it with nonstick spray if you’d like easier cleanup.

Break the raw ground beef into large, flat chunks and spread it evenly over the bottom of the slow cooker. You don’t need to brown it first—the slow cooker will gently cook it through.

Spread the chopped cabbage in an even layer directly on top of the raw ground beef. It will look like a lot, but it cooks down nicely. This is the step where you’ll see that close-up of hands scattering cabbage over the meat in the slow cooker.

Sprinkle the dry onion soup mix evenly over the cabbage layer so it seasons both the cabbage and the beef as everything cooks.

Pour the diced tomatoes with their juices and the beef broth over the top, trying to moisten most of the cabbage. Do not stir; keeping the layers helps the beef cook evenly and the cabbage steam on top.

Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on LOW for 6–8 hours, or on HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the cabbage is very tender and the ground beef is cooked through and crumbly.

Once cooked, use a large spoon or spatula to gently break up the ground beef and stir everything together into a hearty stew. Taste and add a little salt and pepper if needed, depending on how salty your onion soup mix and broth are.

Ladle the stew into bowls and serve warm. If you like, top with a sprinkle of shredded cheese or a spoonful of sour cream right before serving.

For picky eaters, you can chop the cabbage a bit smaller so it blends into the stew more and feels less “leafy.” If your family prefers a thicker, more casserole-like dish, reduce the beef broth to 1 1/2 cups and cook on LOW so it doesn’t get too soupy. For a slightly sweeter, more Amish-style flavor, add 1–2 teaspoons of brown sugar along with the tomatoes (this doesn’t change the basic 5-ingredient structure if you think of it as an optional pantry tweak). You can also swap half the ground beef for ground pork or turkey if that’s what you have on hand. To stretch the meal, stir in 1 cup of cooked rice or small cooked pasta at the end and let it sit on WARM for 10–15 minutes to soak up some broth. If you like more veggies, a cup of frozen mixed vegetables can be sprinkled over the cabbage before adding the seasonings and liquids—no need to thaw. For extra comfort, serve leftovers spooned over mashed potatoes or buttered egg noodles; the flavors deepen by the next day, making this a great make-ahead or meal-prep option.