In a large skillet or wok, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until browned. Break it into small crumbles as it cooks.

Once the ground beef is cooked, drain any excess fat from the skillet.

Sprinkle the sugar over the cooked ground beef. Stir well to incorporate the sugar evenly.

Cut the heads of green cabbage into thin strips or shred them. Ensure they are washed and well-drained.

Add the shredded cabbage to the skillet with the ground beef. Stir to combine.

Cook the cabbage and ground beef mixture over medium heat until the cabbage is wilted and tender. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking.

Mix the cornstarch with soy sauce until the cornstarch is dissolved, creating a slurry.

Pour the soy sauce mixture over the cabbage and beef. Stir well to coat the ingredients and create a flavorful sauce.

Allow the mixture to simmer for an additional 5-10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.

Taste the dish and adjust the seasoning if necessary. You can add more soy sauce or sugar according to your taste preferences.

Once the cabbage is cooked to your liking and the flavors are well-balanced, remove the skillet from heat.

Serve the Poor Man's Chop Suey over rice or noodles. Enjoy this simple and budget-friendly dish!