Creamy Cabbage Ham Skillet (Printable Version)

Tender cabbage and savory ham combined in a creamy one-pan dish, perfect for a quick dinner.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 medium head green cabbage, cored and thinly sliced (about 6 cups)
02 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Meats

04 - 2 cups cooked ham, diced

→ Dairy

05 - 3/4 cup heavy cream
06 - 2 oz cream cheese, softened
07 - 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

→ Pantry

08 - 2 tbsp olive oil or unsalted butter
09 - Salt and black pepper to taste
10 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika

→ Fresh Herbs

11 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened and translucent.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant and golden.
03 - Add sliced cabbage and season with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cabbage wilts and softens.
04 - Stir in diced ham and cook for 2 minutes to heat through completely.
05 - Reduce heat to low. Add heavy cream and cream cheese, stirring gently until cream cheese melts and the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.
06 - Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the mixture and stir until fully melted and incorporated.
07 - Taste the skillet contents and adjust salt, pepper, and seasonings as needed.
08 - Remove from heat, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve hot immediately.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Ready in 30 minutes flat, meaning you can have dinner on the table before you've even finished your coffee or changed out of work clothes.
  • One skillet means one cleanup, which honestly might be the best part of cooking on a busy night.
  • Low-carb and naturally gluten-free, so it works whether you're following a plan or just trying to eat a little lighter.
  • The creamy sauce transforms humble cabbage into something that tastes absolutely luxurious without any fussy techniques.
02 -
  • Don't skip the step of softening the cream cheese before adding it—cold cream cheese will clump and refuse to melt smoothly, turning your beautiful sauce lumpy and sad.
  • The moment the cheese melts is the moment to stop cooking; over-stirring or cooking on high heat will make the cream separate and break, so patience and low heat are your friends here.
03 -
  • If you find yourself with leftover ham in the fridge more often than you'd like, this is your answer—it transforms even the driest ham into something incredibly delicious.
  • Make sure your skillet is truly large enough; a crowded pan will steam the cabbage instead of sautéing it, and you'll miss out on those slightly caramelized edges that add flavor and texture.
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