Slow Cooker Fried Cabbage and Macaroni

Slow Cooker Fried Cabbage and Macaroni

This cozy slow-cooker cabbage and macaroni recipe is simple, filling, and packed with comforting flavor. Tender cabbage and sweet onions cook slowly in butter and seasonings until they become soft and slightly caramelized. Elbow macaroni is added toward the end, giving you a hearty dish that works as an easy dinner or a flavorful side.

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 3–4 hours
Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 medium green cabbage, roughly chopped
• 12 oz (340 g) elbow macaroni
• 1 large yellow onion, sliced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
• 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, optional
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 tablespoon butter for finishing

Instructions

Begin by removing any damaged outer leaves from the cabbage. Cut the cabbage into quarters, remove the hard center core, and chop the leaves into medium-sized pieces. Try not to cut them too small because the cabbage will shrink considerably as it cooks.

Place the chopped cabbage in your slow cooker. Add the sliced onion and minced garlic. Sprinkle the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes over the vegetables.

Cut the four tablespoons of butter into smaller pieces and distribute them over the cabbage. Drizzle with olive oil and add the Worcestershire sauce if you are using it.

Pour the broth around the sides of the slow cooker. You only need a relatively small amount of liquid because cabbage releases plenty of moisture as it cooks.

Cover and cook on HIGH for 2½–3 hours or LOW for 4–5 hours. Stir once or twice if possible. The cabbage should become tender, while some pieces around the edges may develop deeper golden-brown flavors.

While the cabbage finishes cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook it until just al dente, usually about one or two minutes less than the package directions.

Drain the macaroni thoroughly but do not rinse it. Keeping some starch on the pasta helps it absorb the buttery juices from the cabbage.

Add the cooked macaroni directly to the slow cooker. Gently toss everything together until the pasta is evenly mixed with the cabbage and onions.

Add the final tablespoon of butter and allow it to melt into the hot pasta. Cover and cook for another 10–15 minutes. This gives the macaroni time to absorb the savory broth and buttery cabbage flavor.

Taste before serving and adjust the salt and pepper as necessary.

How to Get Those Golden-Brown Cabbage Pieces

The beautiful browned cabbage visible in this dish can be difficult to achieve using only a slow cooker because slow cookers naturally create a moist cooking environment.

For the best result, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with a tablespoon of butter or oil. Take some of the cooked cabbage from the slow cooker and sauté it for several minutes without constantly stirring. Allow the edges to become deeply golden and slightly crisp.

Return the browned cabbage to the slow cooker and gently mix it with the macaroni. This small extra step gives the finished dish much more flavor and creates those attractive caramelized pieces.

Optional Additions

For a richer main dish, you can add sliced smoked sausage, cooked bacon, shredded chicken, or kielbasa. For a vegetarian version, simply use vegetable broth and leave out the Worcestershire sauce unless you’re using a vegetarian variety.

A little Parmesan or shredded cheddar can also be stirred into the hot macaroni, although the dish is delicious without cheese.

Storage and Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. When reheating, add a tablespoon or two of broth or water because the macaroni will continue absorbing moisture while refrigerated.

Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave until completely