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Frito Cowboy Cabbage - A Crunchy, Comforting Skillet Dinner

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 or lean)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or neutral cooking oil (optional if beef is very lean)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small head green cabbage (about 1 1/2 pounds), cored and thinly sliced
  • 1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chiles (like Rotel), undrained
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 cup water or low-sodium beef broth
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar or a Mexican blend cheese
  • 2 cups Fritos corn chips, lightly crushed
  • Optional toppings: sliced green onions, chopped cilantro, pickled jalapeños, hot sauce, sour cream

Method
 

  1. Brown the beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high. Add the ground beef (and oil if using). Cook, breaking it up, until browned and no pink remains, about 5–7 minutes. Spoon off excess fat if needed.
  2. Add aromatics: Stir in the onion and cook until softened, 3–4 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, 30 seconds.
  3. Season it up: Sprinkle in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir to coat the beef and onion.
  4. Build the base: Add tomato paste and cook, stirring, 1 minute to toast it. Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juices and the water or broth. Stir well.
  5. Soften the cabbage: Add the sliced cabbage in batches, tossing as it wilts. Reduce heat to medium, cover, and cook 6–8 minutes, stirring once or twice, until cabbage is tender but not mushy. Adjust salt to taste.
  6. Melt the cheese: Sprinkle cheese evenly over the mixture. Cover for 1–2 minutes, just until melted.
  7. Finish with crunch: Turn off the heat. Scatter the lightly crushed Fritos on top. Let them warm in the residual heat for 1 minute so they stay crisp.
  8. Garnish and serve: Add green onions, cilantro, and jalapeños if you like. Serve hot with a dollop of sour cream or a dash of hot sauce.